Thought A noble prince was born this day Foretold by an auspicious dream The garden in which he came to be Was symbol of his luxury His future greatness as a king Was challenged by his destiny Flaws removed or screened away And every ill was kept at bay Every wish was his to make Three palaces for him to take Fine princess in a contest won And they had a fine young son Ready to rule beyond the gates Channa bring fine chariot drawn! Four told things they could not hide Sickness, old age, death outside Why does this man look so strange? Bodies suffer because they change Why is this toothless man so bent? His youthfulness has all been spent Where do they take this sleeping man? Death comes to all, we know not when Who is beggar with keen sharp look? Searching for truth and life forsook Resolving strong the truth to find He left his palace life behind Farewell to dear ones lying there In forest soon cut off his hair No compass, map or scripture read Eschewing tortuous austerities He found compassionate middle way In which mind can in calmness stay On just one hand four fingers tell That suffering can be managed well Eight fingers held will simply say Change the direction, here’s the way Prayer O Lord Gautama Siddhartha who came blazing forth as the Enlightened One. Grant us Your simplicity and compassion.
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