Chapter 2 6-10
When Siddhartha was nine years old, he learned about a dream his mother had had before he was born.In the dream, a six-tusk white elephant descended from the sky amidst a beautiful singing.As the snow-white elephant approached her, he dropped a pink lotus flower curled up in his trunk into the queen.Then, the elephant went in without any trouble, and the queen felt a burst of lightness and joy.This feeling told her that all sorrows and troubles would no longer belong to her.When she awoke, she felt an unprecedented joy.After waking up, the Tianle in the dream was still ringing in her ears.When she told her husband the dream, the king chirped in amazement.That morning, he summoned all the wise men in the city to enter the palace to interpret his dream.
After hearing the content of the dream, they responded: "Your Majesty, the queen will have a son who will become a great leader in the future, destined to be a wise monarch who rules the world; or a great teacher who can show the truth to all beings in the world. Your Majesty, the world has been waiting for such a great man for a long time."
King Jingfan beamed with joy.After consulting with the queen, he ordered that the food stored in the palace be distributed to the old, weak and disabled throughout the country.As a result, people all over the country shared the good news of the future prince of the king and queen.
Siddhartha's mother was named Mahayana.In addition to being virtuous and virtuous.Her love is universal to all living beings - including people, animals and plants.The custom at that time was that women had to return to their natal homes to give birth to babies.Since Mahaya's hometown was in Koli, she set out for the village of Rama, the capital of Koli.On the way, she stopped to rest in the Jambini Garden.The garden here is full of dense flowers, and the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant.The peacock proudly shows off his tail in the morning light.When the queen was approaching a sala tree in full bloom, fascinated by it, she suddenly felt a little unsteady on her feet.She immediately reached out and grabbed a branch of the Sala tree for support.At this moment, Queen Mahamaya gave birth to a baby radiant with auspiciousness.
After bathing the little prince in clean water, the queen's attendants wrapped him in a piece of yellow silk.Since there was no need to continue to Rama Village, the queen and the newborn prince returned to the palace in a four-horse trailer.Upon reaching the home, the prince received another warm bath and was placed next to his mother.
Hearing the news that the prince had been born, King Jingfan immediately came to visit his wife and children.He couldn't be happier.With joy in his eyes, he decided to name the little prince Siddhartha, which means 'one who achieves great ambitions'.Everyone in the palace rejoiced at this and came to congratulate the queen one after another.The King of Pure Rice quickly called a warlock to predict the future for Siddhartha.After seeing the baby's face, they all agreed that the baby boy had the signs of a great leader, and predicted that he would rule over a world that would spread far and wide.
A week later, a sage named Ashita visited the palace.With his back bent due to old age, he turned his arms and came down from his residence on the high mountain.When the guards announced the arrival of Master Ashituo, King Jingfan came out to greet him in person.He took the master to see the little prince.After looking at the eldest son for a long time, the master didn't say a word.Then, he sobbed impulsively, so that his whole body trembled.Tears welled up from his eyes.
Seeing this, King Jingfan was shocked and asked: "What's the matter? Do you see that the child will have misfortune?"
Master Ashita shook his head and wiped away his tears, and said, "Your Majesty, I see no misfortune at all. I am weeping for myself. I clearly see that this child has truly great virtue. He will see clearly All the truths of the universe. Your Majesty, your son will not be in power. He will be a great teacher in spirituality. He will regard heaven and earth as his home and all living beings as his relatives. To die and cry. Your Majesty! You and your country have accumulated so much merit that you and your country can feel the birth of this baby!"
Asituo turned and left.Although the king begged him to stay, he did not accept.The holy man began to walk slowly back up the mountain.Master Asituo's visit this time made the king panic.He didn't want his son to become a monk.He hoped that he could inherit the throne and expand the territory of the country.The king thought this way: "Ashita is just one of thousands of saints. Maybe his prediction was wrong. Even if he is a man of the right way, he predicted that Siddhartha would become a great monarch, it should be accurate." Tied to this hope, the king felt a little comforted.
Queen Mahamaya, who was extremely happy when Siddhartha was born, passed away eight days after giving birth, and the whole country mourned.King Suddhodhana invited her younger sister Mahapajapati Gotami to be the new queen.After agreeing to the queen, Queen Gotami took good care of Siddhartha and treated him as if she were her own.When Siddhartha was older, he asked about his birth mother, and he realized how much Mahapajapati loved her sister.He knew better that apart from Mahapajapati, it was difficult to find another person who loved him as much as his own son.Under Mahapajapati's care, Siddhartha grew healthy and strong.
One day, when Mahapajapiti was watching Siddhartha playing in the garden, she noticed that Prince Siddhartha had grown up and could use gold and gemstones to boost his majesty.So she asked her entourage to bring jewels and ornaments for Siddhartha to try on.Strangely enough, the ornaments he put on did not add to his handsome appearance at all.Since Siddhartha said that it was inconvenient to wear ornaments, Mahapajapati had no choice but to store these jewels again.
By school age, Siddhartha was to study literature, writing, music and sports with the other Sakyan princes.Among his classmates were his cousins Devadatta and Kimbilai, and the son of a palace minister, Kaluodanlai.Naturally intelligent, Siddhartha quickly mastered various subjects.Although his teacher, Vishibhayu, thought that the young Devadatta was also very keen, he had never seen a student who was more outstanding than Siddhartha since he was the teacher of Dhafeng.
At the age of nine, Siddhartha and a group of classmates participated in the annual spring plowing ceremony.On this day, Mahapajapati personally dressed Siddhartha meticulously.King Jingfan also wore the most solemn dress and presided over the ceremony.Respected priests and Brahmins paraded around in colorful robes and headdresses.The grand ceremony was held in a fertile field not far from the palace.Flags and banners fly from every gate by every road.The altars in the nearby streets are filled with various food and offerings.Musicians and performers interspersed with performances among the crowd to add to the lively and joyful atmosphere.While the king and high court officials stood in silence to prepare for the unveiling of the grand ceremony, the Taoist priests were all chanting loudly.Devadatta and Kaluodanlai stood on both sides of Siddhartha, standing together near Houhai.They were all excited because after the ceremony, everyone could have a picnic on the grassland.Siddhartha rarely travels, so he was very happy.It's a pity that the Taoist priests' chanting took too long, which made the boys feel unbearable.They finally couldn't bear it anymore and left the venue.Jialuodanlai dragged Siddhartha's sleeves and walked towards the direction of singing and dancing together.The sun was shining brightly, and the performers' clothes were drenched with sweat.Beads of sweat glistened on the dancing girl's forehead.Siddhartha himself felt hot after running on the performance venue for a while.He left his friends and went to enjoy the shade under a cherry tree beside the road.Under the shade of the foliage, Siddhartha felt refreshed.At this moment, Mahapajapati appeared.Seeing her son, she said, "I was looking for you everywhere, where did you go? Now it's time to go back and watch the closing ceremony of the ceremony. Your father will be happy if you do this!"
"Mother, the ceremony is too long. Why do the priests take so long to chant?"
"Son, they are chanting the Vedas. These scriptures are made with profound meanings, which have been handed down from the Creator himself to the Brahmins and from generation to generation. You will be reading these scriptures soon."
"Why is it not the father but the Brahman who is responsible for the chanting?"
"Only those born in the Brahmin class are allowed to recite these scriptures. My child, even the most powerful kings depend on Brahmins to preside over all ceremonies."
Siddhartha thought again about Mahapajapati's words.After waiting for a while, he clasped his palms and asked Mahapajapati, "Mother, please ask Father to let me stay here. I am sitting under the cherry tree, feeling very happy."
The gentle and kind Mahapajapati was finally persuaded by his son and nodded with a smile.She stroked the boy's hair for a moment, then walked back down the path.
The Brahmin finally finished chanting.King Jingfan went to the field and started the first plowing of the season with two officials in military uniform, and the cheers of the crowd echoed everywhere.Other farmers followed the king and started plowing.Hearing the cheers of the people, Siddhartha ran to the edge of the field.He watched a buffalo struggling to pull a heavy plow, followed by a stout and tanned farmer.The farmer stabilizes the plow with his left hand, while with his right he drives the buffalo forward with a long whip.The strong sunlight made the farmer sweat profusely.The fertile soil was plowed into two neat rows of shallow pits.When the soil was turned up, Siddhartha noticed that some insects and small creatures were also cut by the plow.When the bug curled up and wriggled in the soil, the bird immediately flew down from the air and pinched it away with its sharp beak.Then, Siddhartha saw a giant bird glide down and quickly caught the little bird in its sharp claws.
Observing all this with concentration, Siddhartha was drenched in sweat under the scorching sun.He hurried back to the cherry tree.What he saw just now was something he had never seen or heard before.He sat cross-legged under the tree, closed his eyes, and thought about all these things carefully.His posture was steady and upright. He sat there for a long time without getting up, completely oblivious to the people singing, dancing or having a picnic around him.He continued to sit, fully immersed in the memories of Tanaka's ecology.After a while, when the king and queen passed by, they found Siddhartha still sitting very attentively.Seeing Siddhartha sitting beautifully like a statue, Mahapajapati was moved to tears.But King Suddhodana was troubled by a sudden wave of fear.If Siddhartha could sit so solemnly at such a young age, wouldn't Ashita's prophecy come true? He was so annoyed that he didn't want to stay for a picnic, so he went back to the palace alone.
A few poor children from the village walked by the tree talking and laughing.Mahapajapa reminded them to be silent.She pointed to Siddhartha sitting under the cherry tree.The children stared at him curiously.Suddenly, Siddhartha opened his eyes.Seeing the queen, he smiled.
"Mother," he said, "reciting scriptures won't help bugs and birds!"
Siddhartha got up and went to Mahapajapati and took her by the hand.Only then did he realize that he was being scrutinized by those children.Although they were about the same age as Siddhartha, they were dressed in rags, their faces were covered with dirt, and their hands and feet were pitifully thin.Siddhartha only felt that his princely attire made him very embarrassed, but he really wanted to play with these children.He smiled and waved gently to them.One of the little boys responded with a small smile.Siddhartha needed just that encouragement.He asked Mahapajapati to allow him to invite the boys to have a picnic with him.She hesitated at first, but finally agreed.
When Siddhartha was fourteen years old, Queen Gotami gave birth to a son named Nanda.Everyone in the palace rejoiced, and Siddhartha was extremely excited because he was grateful that he had a small group of younger brothers.Every day after class, he would rush home to visit Nanda.Although Siddhartha had reached the age when he should be concerned about other affairs, he still often asked Devadatta to accompany him and take Nanda on a small excursion together.
Siddhartha had three of his favorite cousins.Their names were Manan Koli, Bertie and Kimberley.He often played with them in the garden behind the palace.Queen Gotami liked to sit on the forest bench next to the lotus pond and watch them play.Her attendants will serve snacks and drinks to the children at any time according to her instructions.
As the days go by.Siddhartha's studies improved year by year.It was very difficult for Devadatta to hide his jealousy.Siddhartha quickly mastered every subject without any difficulty in studying it.This includes martial arts.Although Devadatta was stronger than him, Siddhartha was more agile and quick.In mathematics, the other students were willing to bow down to Siddhartha's excellence.His mathematics teacher, Arjuna, often took a long time to answer the advanced questions asked by Siddhartha.
Because Siddhartha was very talented in music, his music teacher gave him a rare and expensive fife.On midsummer evenings, Siddhartha would play on it alone in the garden.Sometimes his songs are low-pitched and sweet, and other times they are so beautiful that the listener feels like they are floating in the sky.Many times Gotami would concentrate on sitting outside and listening to her son playing at night.This will allow her to let the feeling in her heart flutter with Siddhartha's music, which will make her feel refreshed.
Perhaps affected by his age, Siddhartha was more focused on the study of religious philosophy at that time.After reading all the Vedas, he thought carefully about the teachings and beliefs contained in them.In particular, he concentrated on the two classics of Rigveda and Yajurveda.Siddhartha saw Boloman reciting scriptures and presiding over ordinances since he was a child.Now they can delve into the heart of these sacred ordinances for themselves.The scriptures of Brahmanism have always been valued very much.Even the characters and the rhymes of characters in the classics are considered to have the potential to affect or change human affairs and the natural world.The position of the planets and the transition of the four seasons are also considered to have a great relationship with worship and chanting.Only Brahmins are considered capable enough to understand the mysteries of heaven and earth.Only they are qualified to use chanting and various rituals to make human beings and the natural world produce regular operations.
Siddhartha was taught that the entire universe came from a single supreme being called Brahma.And all the classes in society come from different parts of the Creator's body.Every human being contains a bit of the essence of this all-powerful Creator, and the essence of the universe is the combination of each person's nature or soul.
Siddhartha also devoted himself to studying other Brahmin classics.This includes the Brahmanas and Upanishads.Although his teacher only wanted to teach them traditional beliefs, Siddhartha and his classmates insisted on asking some questions in order to force their teachers to face some current ideas and consciousness that go against tradition.
On the days when there were no classes, Siddhartha would encourage a group of classmates to go with him to visit priests and Brahmins in the city and discuss with them.It was also because of these opportunities that Siddhartha knew that there were some movements and organizations in the country that openly opposed Brahmin totalitarianism.Those who participated in these activities, in addition to lay people who were generally very dissatisfied with the Brahmin monopoly of power, there were also members of the Brahmin caste who were more enlightened and wanted to innovate.
Since Siddhartha once invited several village children to have a picnic together, he was sometimes allowed to visit small villages near the capital.At this time, he will put on civilian clothes to facilitate conversations with ordinary people.From these contacts, Siddhartha learned many things that he never learned in the palace.He noticed that the people generally believed in the three Brahmin gods—Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.He also knew that they were all oppressed by Brahmin priests.In order to follow the correct etiquette in birthdays, weddings, funerals and other rituals, many even very poor families are forced to pay Brahmins money, food or labor.
One day, when passing by a hut, Siddhartha was startled by crying from inside the house.So he asked Devadatta to go inside to find out what happened.They discovered that the owner of the house had just died, and his family was very poor.His wife and children were pitifully thin, with only rags on their bodies.Their house is also so old that it looks like it will collapse at any time.It turned out that the man of this family was forced to work hard because he wanted the Brahmin to clean his place so that he could rebuild the kitchen.For several days, he had to carry boulders and chop firewood for Brahmins.He ended up falling ill.On the way home, he collapsed and died.
Due to his own introspection and observation, Siddhartha began to question the basic teachings of Brahman, such as: whether the Vedas were really given to Brahman; whether Brahman was the supreme ruler of the universe; scriptures and sacrifices. Whether the instrument itself has infinite power and so on.At the same time, Siddhartha sympathized with those priests who dared to directly challenge Brahmin dogma.His interest in the subject never waned, and he never missed a class or seminar on Vedas.He is also keen on the study of Chinese and history.
Siddhartha enjoyed communicating with practitioners and ascetics.But because of his father's dissatisfaction, he often had to find excuses to go out to meet these people.These sramanas pay little attention to material possessions and social status.This is quite different from the deliberate pursuit of power by Brahmins.On the contrary, these ascetics deliberately give up everything to achieve liberation by cutting off worldly troubles.They are fully acquainted with the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads.Siddhartha knew that many practitioners lived in Kosala to the west, or Magadha to the south.Siddhartha very much hoped that one day he could go to these places to study with them.
King Suddhodha certainly knew of Siddhartha's intentions.He told his brother, Devadatta, and Ananda's father, King Tulu Dana, about his worry that his son would become a recluse.
"The country of Kosala has always been eyeing our territory. We must rely on the talents of Siddhartha and Devadatta to defend the destiny of the country. I am very afraid of how Siddhartha will act as prophesied To be a Samana. If it is true, Devadatta is likely to do the same with him. Do you know how they like to associate with those practitioners?"
Tulutana was taken aback by what the king said.After thinking for a while, he whispered in the king's ear: "If you ask me, I think you should find a wife for Siddhartha. With a family to take care of, he will definitely give up the idea of becoming a recluse. "King Jingfan nodded in agreement.
That night, the king told Gautami what was on his mind.The queen then agreed that she would arrange for Siddhartha to get married in a short time.Although the queen herself had just given birth to the little princess Sundari Nanda, she began arranging gatherings of young people in the palace shortly after she gave birth.Siddhartha was enthusiastic about participating in these musical evenings, sports meet and excursions.He also made many new friends.
King Suddhodana had a younger sister named Bamisha.Her husband was King Tanjabali of Koli.They lived in the village of Rama, the capital of Koli, and in the country of Bianpilavatthu.There is only one river between the Shakya Kingdom and the Koli Kingdom, so the people of the two countries have lived in harmony from generation to generation.Both of them are just a day's journey away.Under Gotami's lobbying, the king and queen of Koli Kingdom agreed to hold a martial arts competition in the grassland by Lake Kuna.The King of Pure Rice will be in person to host, to encourage young citizens to exercise their physical fitness and martial arts.All young men and women in the city are invited to attend.The girls do not participate in the competition, but use their cheers and applause to cheer up the contestants.Yasodhara, the daughter of Queen Bamisa and King Tanjabali, was in charge of welcoming the guests.She is lovely and beautiful, so fresh and natural.
In all events, including archery, fencing, horse racing and weightlifting, Siddhartha has won all the championships.It was Yasodhara who presented the award to him.The prize was a white elephant.With her palms clasped together and her head slightly lowered, she announced in a noble and elegant tone: "Prince Siddhartha, please accept this white elephant for the victory you deserve. At the same time, please accept the sincerity from my heart." congratulate."
The princess's demeanor is graceful and calm, and her clothes are gentle and elegant.Her smile is as refreshing as a half-opened lotus flower.Siddhartha bowed, then looked directly into her eyes, and said softly, "Thank you, princess."
Devadatta, who stood behind Siddhartha, was very unhappy because he only won the second place.Seeing that Yasodhara ignored him, he picked up the trunk with one hand, and the wolf slapped the weakest part of the trunk.Bai Xiang suddenly felt extremely painful and knelt on the ground.
Siddhartha looked at Devadatta sternly, and scolded, "Cousin, that's too much."
Siddhartha rubbed the weak point of the elephant's trunk, and said words of comfort to it.The white elephant stood up slowly again, bowed his head to pay respects to the prince.The audience applauded thunderously.Siddhartha rode on the back of the elephant and began his victory tour.Under the guidance of the elephant trainer, the white elephant carried Siddhartha around the city of Kapilavatthu surrounded by the crowd.Yasodhara walked beside them with slow and dignified steps.
Siddhartha, who entered his teenage years, began to find that the life in the palace was a bit cramped.So, he began to travel outside the city to see the outside world.Every time he traveled, he was accompanied by his loyal follower Channa.Sometimes, his younger brother or friend will also accompany him.Although Channa was in charge of Siddhartha's chariot and horses, he and Siddhartha would take turns riding the horse when traveling.Since Siddhartha never used a horsewhip, neither did Channa.
From the rugged foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the vast grasslands in the south, Siddhartha traveled to every corner of the Sakya Kingdom.The city capital, Jiakun Luowei, is located in the most populous and richest low-lying area.Although compared with the neighboring countries of Saoluo and Magadha, the area of Sakyamuni is very small.But the ideal of its position is not comparable to that of other two countries.The Lusuan River and the Pang River, which originate from the highlands, just flow down to irrigate the fertile plain.These two rivers stretch southward until they merge with the Siraynuvadi before pouring into the Ganges.Siddhartha loved to sit on the bank of the Pang River and watch the current flow.
The villagers there believe that the water of the Pang River can wash away their past and present sins.Therefore, even in very cold weather, they often immerse themselves in water.One day, while sitting by the river, Siddhartha asked, "Channa, do you believe that this river water can really wash away sins?"
"It must be possible, Prince. Otherwise, why would there be so many people washing in the river?"
Siddhartha smiled. "Then, all fish, shrimps, oysters and other aquatic creatures must be the most virtuous and innocent in the world!"
Channa replied: "At the very least, I can say that taking a bath here should wash off the dirt on your body!"
Siddhartha laughed and patted Channa on the shoulder. "This sentence, I should agree!"
Another day, when Siddhartha passed through a poor village on his way back to the palace, he was surprised to see Yasodhara and her maids, who were there to take care of children suffering from eye diseases, colds, skin diseases and other symptoms.Although Yasodhara was dressed very simply, he looked like a goddess.As a princess, Siddhartha was deeply moved by her willingness to personally care for and serve the poor.She washed the infected eyes and skin of sick children, dispensed their medicines and washed their dirty clothes.
"Princess, have you been modeling for some time?" Siddhartha asked. "It's nice to see you here."
Yasodhara, who was washing the arms of a little girl, raised his head. "Almost two years, my lord. But this is only my second visit to this village."
"I come here often. The children and I are very familiar. Princess, your job must bring you great satisfaction."
Yasodhara just smiled and didn't answer.She bent down and continued to wash the girl's arms.
Because he had the opportunity to have a more detailed conversation with Yasodhara that day, Siddhartha was surprised to find that they had many similar ideas with each other.Yasodhara was not content to be just a court lady blindly following tradition.She also studied the Vedas, and she felt very dissatisfied with the injustice in society in her heart.Like Siddhartha, she did not feel that being a wealthy and privileged royal was truly happy.She despises the power struggle between ministers and Brahmins in the court.She knew that as a woman, she could do little to change society.Participating in charity work is the only way to express her ideas.She hopes her friends can see the value of this type of work in her actions.
From the first time he met Yasodhara, Siddhartha had left a deep impression on her.Expressed the hope that he would get married soon.Yasodhara should be the appropriate candidate.Although in those music expressed the hope that he will get married soon.Yasodhara should be the appropriate candidate.Although Siddhartha had met many beautiful young women in those music and sports gatherings, Yasodhara was not only the most beautiful in appearance, but also the one he felt most comfortable and satisfied with.
One day, Queen Gotami decided to hold a banquet for all the girls in the city.She also invited Yasodhara's mother, Pamisa, to help.All young girls from Kapilavastu were invited, and each was presented with a jewellery.Queen Bamisha suggested that Siddhartha should come and give the gift, just like Yasodhara was the welcome guest in the martial arts competition, to show sincerity.King Suddhodha and other members of the royal family will also participate.
The banquet was held on a cool evening.The auditorium of the palace is filled with all kinds of food and wine.There are musicians playing music to entertain guests all around.In the light of flickering lanterns, the courteous ladies filed in, all dressed in brightly colored saris trimmed with dazzling gold threads.They passed by the senior officials of the royal family one by one, including the king and queen.Siddhartha, fully dressed in the princely attire, stands behind a table covered with jewels on the left, waiting to present gifts to more than a thousand ladies.
Siddhartha initially refused to deliver the gifts himself, but he was finally persuaded by Gotami and Pamisa. "It will definitely make them all feel honored and pleased to receive a gift from you personally, the prince. You should know this." Bamisha said with a very positive smile on her face.Siddhartha had absolutely no desire to stifle another person's chance to be happy, so he said yes.However, now standing in front of many guests, he is really confused about how to choose the appropriate accessories for each lady.Each lady had to pass all the guests to reach Siddhartha.The first girl to come out was Suma, the daughter of a prince.Bamitha guided her up the steps to the dais, followed by pausing to bow to the King, Queen and all the guests before approaching Siddhartha.When she arrived in front of Siddhartha, she bowed her head in salute.Siddhartha also bowed in return and presented her with a chain of jade beads.The guests applauded in agreement, and Suma bowed again.She said something very softly, but Siddhartha couldn't hear her at all.
The next one is Rohini, named after a river.Siddhartha did not deliberately choose accessories to match the appearance and temperament of each woman.He just takes the next ornament from the table to the next lady in sequence.Therefore, although there were many ladies waiting in line, the presentation ceremony did not drag on too long.By ten o'clock in the evening, almost all the ornaments had been sent out.Everyone thought that the last one was a woman named Qiluo.Just when Siddhartha thought his task was complete, a young woman came out of the audience and walked slowly towards the stage.She is none other than Yasodhara.She was wearing an ivory sari, as light and clear as a cool breeze in the morning light.She bowed to the king and queen.As she was always natural and generous, she walked up to Siddhartha, smiled at him and said, "I wonder if the prince can give me something?"
Siddhartha looked at Yasodhara, then, a little bewildered, at the remaining ornaments on the table.He blushed. Nothing was left on the table to match Yasodhara's beauty.Suddenly, he smiled.He removed from his neck a necklace worn by Ding and handed it to Yasodhara. "Princess, this is a gift from me."
Yasodhara shook his head and said, "I have come here to show your respect. How can I take away your own chain?"
Siddhartha replied, "My mother, Queen Gotami, always said that I am handsome without jewelry. Please accept this gift, princess."
He beckoned her to come closer so he could put the necklace of sparkling gemstones on her.All the guests applauded immediately, and the cheers were endless.They all rose enthusiastically to show their approval.
The wedding of Siddhartha and Yasodhara took place in the autumn of the following year.That day was the day when the whole world of Sakyamuni celebrated together.The entire Kapilavatthu country is covered with flags, lamps and flowers, and music can be heard everywhere Siddhartha and Yasodhara's chariots, cheering everywhere they go.They went to the villages and small towns outside the city to donate food and clothes to poor families.
King Jingfan personally planned and built three palaces suitable for different seasons, and gave them to the couple.The summer palace was built on the plateau in a beautiful area leaning against the mountains.The one built for the rainy season and cold weather is located in the center of the city.Each palace has a lotus pond with light blue, pink or white lotus flowers.Their brocade shoes and fine clothes, as well as the sandalwood they burn every day, were specially ordered from Wangshe City, the capital of Jiashi Kingdom in the southwest.
King Suddhodha felt at ease now, because Siddhartha had walked the path he dreamed his son would take.He also selected the best musicians and dancers in the country to perform for his daughter-in-law for a long time for entertainment.
However, for Siddhartha and Yasodhara, happiness was not to be found in the carefree lives of the rich and powerful.Their happiness comes from being honest with each other and talking to each other.None of them were fascinated by delicacies from mountains and seas or silks and satins.Although they both know how to appreciate the art of singing and dancing, they will never indulge in these enjoyments.They have their dreams - to find all the answers in the pursuit of spiritual sublimation and social transformation.
In the summer of the second year, Siddhartha's loyal servant Channa drove a carriage and took Siddhartha and Yasodhara to the summer palace.Along the way, Siddhartha took the opportunity to introduce Yasodhara to places in the country she had never been to.They stay in each place for a few days, and sometimes they even spend the night in houses in the countryside, eating simple food with the villagers and sleeping on rope-woven beds.From these experiences, they learned a lot about the way of life and customs of different places.
Sometimes, they encounter very tragic situations.They have seen families with nine or ten children, and every child has a serious disease.No matter how much their parents toil day and night, they will never be able to raise their children.The life of ordinary farmers is very difficult.Siddhartha stared at the scrawny children, all bloated from worms or nutritional deficiencies.He also saw a group of disabled people begging on the street.The whole situation made him very uneasy.He saw that these people were all trapped in an inescapable environment.In addition to suffering from poverty and illness, they have to suffer from the oppression of Brahmins.And for these oppressions, they have no way to complain.They are too far from the city.Besides, even if they arrive in Chengdu, who will help them?Siddhartha knew that even the king of a country has no power to change their miserable situation.
Siddhartha clearly understood all the workings of the court.Every official only cared about protecting and consolidating his own power, and ignored the sufferings and needs of the people.Siddhartha felt nothing but extreme aversion to politics because he had seen them fight and kill each other firsthand.He knew very well that even his father's power was very fragile and limited-a monarch was basically imprisoned in his own position, thus losing real freedom.Although his father also knew that his subordinates were greedy and corrupt, he had no choice but to rely on these subordinates to defend the dynasty.Siddhartha knew that after he succeeded to the throne, he would certainly do the same.He understands that the environment will only change if greed and jealousy are removed from people's hearts.Because of this, his desire to find a way of spiritual liberation was rekindled.
Yasodhara was clever and shrewd.She understood Siddhartha's hope in his heart, and firmly believed that as long as Siddhartha seeks the way, he will succeed.But she also knows very well that seeking the Tao does not happen overnight.The misery and pain keep happening over time.So she thinks the top priority should be immediate action.She discussed with Siddhartha different ways to help the poorest in society.She has been doing this kind of work for several years.In addition to relieving the pain of some people, her efforts also brought peace and happiness to her heart.With Siddhartha's genuine support, she believes that this type of work can go on for some time.
All kinds of daily necessities and different servants and servants were continuously sent from all over Kapilavastu for their use.Siddhartha and Yasodhara sent most of the servants back, leaving only a few to help with gardening, cooking and housekeeping.Of course they kept Channa.Yasodhara kept his life as simple as possible.She would personally go into the kitchen and instruct the servants to cook simple dishes that suit Siddhartha's wishes.As for Siddhartha's clothes, she would take care of it herself, and take care of everything by herself.她不时都会请教悉达多有关她回城後将要重新投入的救援工作。悉达多非常明白她对这些工作的热诚，而永远都会给她无限的支持和鼓励。耶输陀罗也因此而对她的丈夫更加信任。
虽然悉达多从没怀疑过耶输陀罗做这些工作的价值，但他觉得、这条途径并不可以导致真正的祥和安稳。人们不单是被社会的不公平和疾病所折磨，更重要的是他们被自己内心所产生的忧悲苦恼所束缚。如果有一天耶输陀罗也陷入了恐惧、瞋怒、愤根或失望之中，她那会再有精力去继续她的工作呢?悉达多自己曾亲身径历过因朝廷和社会的不健全而引起的怀疑、沮丧和痛苦。他知道心底里的平静才是真正社会工作的根基。但他并没有给耶输陀罗知道他这种想法，因为他恐怕这样做会令她更加忧虑。
回到冬宫后，他们就要不停地款待到访的宾客。虽然耶输陀罗对亲朋戚友都热诚招待，但她最关注的，仍是悉达多与别人所谈及哲学宗教与政治社会关系的话题。就是四处出入督导着侍应，她都不会错过这些言谈的一字一句。她曾希望在众多朋友中，能找到一些志同道合的人来加入她的工作，可惜没有几人表示兴趣。他们大都只想着欢宴作乐。但悉达多和耶榆陀罗仍然是耐心地接待他们。
除了悉达多以外，还有一个同样明白和支持耶输陀罗的人，她就是乔答弥王后。王后非常关心媳妇的快乐，因为她知道如果耶输陀罗快乐，悉达多也会快乐。不过，这并非她支持耶输陀罗慈善工作的唯一原因。乔答弥王后本身就是一个很慈悲的人。她第一次跟耶输陀罗去探访穷乡僻壤，便立刻体会到这种工作的真正价值了。它不只是给予穷苦人家米饭、面粉、布匹和药物等物资上的支援。更重要的，在他们痛苦的时候，可以直接给予他们慈祥的目光、一双授助的手和一颗爱心。
王后不像宫里其他的人。她经常对耶输陀罗说，女人也如男人一样拥有智慧和力量，所以也应该肩负社会上的一些责任。虽然女人特别善长于令家庭里倍添温馨，但这并不代表她们就只应该留在厨房或王宫里。乔答弥发觉她可以和熄妇成为交心的朋友，因为耶输陀罗和她一样独立，又善于思虑。王后不只嘉许那输陀罗的工作，她还与耶输陀罗肩并肩的工作。
这段时间，净饭王表示希望悉达多能够多些留在他的身边，以便指导儿子如何处理朝政。太子被邀请出席很多会议。有时，他单独与大王会商，有时他则和大王及朝臣一起参加会议。悉达多对朝廷的事务，永远都是全力以赴。但他渐渐明白到，一个国家的政治、经济和军事上所出现的问题，往往都是由於参政者的私人野心而引起的。当人们只关心如何保护个人权力时，他们是没有可能会为百姓着想而推行仁政的。每当他看到那些假仁假义的腐败官僚时，悉达多就会十分气愤，怒火中烧。即使如此，他仍要把这些感觉隐藏，因为他仍然没有发现对策。
一天，与几个大臣会议完毕，净饭王问他:“为何你总是默默的坐在那里，不给任何意见呢?”
悉达多望着他的父亲，说:“我并不是没有意见，而是说了出来也起不了作用。它们都是治标不治本。我仍未想到一个有效的方法来对治朝廷中那群有私心的人。就如弗山密达。他在朝廷中是有相当权势，但你肯定知道他是贪污的。他也曾多次想削弱你的权力以增强他自己的。可是，你没他奈何，仍然要倚仗他的帮忙。原因何在呢?因为你知道如果不是这样，动乱就会随之而来。”
净饭王望着他的儿子，默然无语。过了一会，他说:“悉达多，你应该明白，要维持一个家或国的和平，有很多事情是需要容忍的。我个人的力量是很有限，但我深信如果你好好的准备自己继位为王，你必定会比我做得出色得多。你是有才干去剿灭奸党而又同时防止内乱的。”
悉达多叹息道:“父亲，这并不是才干的问题。我相信最基本的问题是要令一个人的心得到解脱。”
他们父子这番对话和交流，惭渐使净饭王感到不安。他认定悉达多是个有非凡深度的人，又察觉到他与自己对这个世界的看法很不同。不过，他仍然满怀希望，认为假以时日，悉达多定会接受他的王位而成为出色的国王。
除了履行朝廷的职责和支持耶输陀罗外，悉达多仍继续与那些有名望的婆罗门和沙门交流切磋。他知道宗教的探索并不只限于研读圣典，而是要兼顾禅坐静思的修习，才能达到心智的解脱和释放。他尽量私的去认识禅定。他尽量把所学的运用于日常的宫中生活，然后把这些体验与耶输陀罗一起分享。
“瞿夷，”悉达多喜欢这样叫耶输陀罗，“或许你也应该习禅。它能使你心境平和，又能令你持续工作更长的时间。”
耶输陀罗依照他的提示去做。无论她的工作多么忙，她也会腾出时间来坐着。他们两夫妇一起静静的坐着。这段时间里，他们会叫叫随从退下和打发乐师们到别处演奏。
悉达多从小便被教导有关婆罗门一生的四个阶段。在年青时代，婆罗门会研读吠陀。第二个阶段是结婚、组织家庭和为社会服。当儿女长大后，他们就进人第三个阶段，即可以退休和全面投人宗教研究。而第四个阶段，就是放下所有世务与束缚，去过一个出家人的生活。细心思量后，悉达多认为到年老才学道，为时已晚。他并不想等这么久。
“为甚麽一个人不可以同时过这四个阶段的生活?为何有家庭就不可以追求宗教生活呢?”
悉达多要在他目前的生活中修学大道。他当然役有忘记那些像在王舍城的远方导师。他知道如果自己有机会跟他们学习，肯定会有更大的进步。与他经常往来的沙门和导师，时常都有提及如阿罗罗和鸟陀迦罗摩子等大师。许多人都向往能有机会获得他们的指导，而悉达多感到自己的期盼也越来越迫切。
一天下午，耶输陀罗从外面回来，满脸悲伤，一言不发。一个她照顾了将近十天的小孩刚去世了。虽然她已尽了全力，但也没法把他从死神的手中抢救回来。无法控制她的悲痛，耶输陀罗坐在一旁沉思，眼泪直流。她完全抑制不住她的情绪。当悉达多从朝中回来时，她又再次痛哭起来。悉达多把她抱在怀里，尽量安慰她。
“瞿夷，我明天和你一起丢参加葬礼。尽情哭吧，这会减少你心里痛楚。生、老、病、死都是我们这一生要肩负的。发生在这孩子身上的，随时都会发生在我们任何一个人的身上。”
耶输陀罗边饮泣，边说:“我现在每天都体验到，一切就真的如你所说的一样。与巨大的痛苦比较起来，我的双手是何等的渺小。我的心里时刻都充满着徨恐与忧伤。丈夫啊，请你教我怎样去克服我心底里的痛苦吧。”
悉达多紧抱着耶轮陀罗在他的臂弯。“我的妻子，我现在也正在寻觅着解除我自己心中痛苦的途径。我已看透人生百态，但却仍未找到达至解脱之道。不过我有信心终有一天会找到的。瞿夷，你一定要对我有信心。”
“亲爱的，我从来都没有对你失去过信心。我知道你决意要去做的事，一定会坚持到底，直至成功。我也知道你总有一天，将会为体解大道而放弃一切富贵名位。但是，我的丈夫，我请你暂时远不要离开我。我很需要你啊。”
悉达多用手轻轻提起耶输陀罗的下巴，望入她的眼里，说道:“不，我不会现在离开你。只有当，当……”
耶输陀罗用手盖着悉达多的口。“悉达多，请不要说下去。我现在只想问你假如我们有个孩子，你会希望是男的还是女的?”
悉达多愕然。他细心的望着耶输陀罗。“瞿夷，你说甚麽?你的意思是，你是说……”
耶输陀罗点头。跟着，她指着自己的肚子说:“可以带着我们爱的结晶，实在令我高兴莫名。我希望是个生得和你一模一样的男孩，具备着你的聪明才智和善良的美德。”
悉达多用臂弯再把耶输陀罗抱紧一点。在这欢欣的一刻，他也同时感到隐忧的存在。不过，他仍笑着说:“是男是女，我都同样高兴。最重要是娃娃有着你的慈悲和智慧。瞿夷，你告诉了你母亲没有?”
“你是第一个知道这消息的人。我今晚会到大殿给乔答弥报告。同时，我会向她请教怎样是最好的方法去照顾这个未出生的孩子。我明天将会把这个消息告诉我的母亲芭蜜莎王后。相信每个人都会为此兴奋。”
悉达多点头。他知道王后一定会第一时间把消息告诉他的父亲。而大王就必定欢喜若狂和大排筵席，庆祝一番。悉达多感到，紧系他于宫中生活的不缚，似乎又再被拉索得更紧了。