Page:Barlaam and Josaphat. English lives of Buddha.djvu/50

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xliv
INTRODUCTION.

"proved by inspection," as the mathematicians say.

JOASAPH. BUDDHA.
Abenner, King of India, persecutes the Christians. He has a beautiful son, named Joasaph. An Astrologer reveals to the King that he will become a Christian. Suddhodana, King of Kapilavastu, in India, has a beautiful son, who is called Siddharta. The Brahmins predict that he will become a Hermit.
The King builds a magnificent palace in a remote district, in which he places his son, and surrounds him by those who are ordered never to speak of the miseries of this life, of sickness, poverty, old age, or death. The King builds three palaces for his son—one for the Spring, one for the Summer, and one for the Winter. Each palace is surrounded by five hundred Guards. The Prince desires one day to visit their garden. The King orders everything to be removed that could indicate the existence of misery.
"When Joasaph is grown up he asks permission to go outside the palace. On his way he sees a leper and a blind man. He asks what is the cause of their appearance. He is told that it is due to ill nesses caused by the corruption of the humours, and learns that every man is liable to similar evils. He becomes sad and distressed. Going out of the South Gate of his palace the Prince sees on the footpath a sick man burning with fever, breathing heavily, and emaciated. Learning from his charioteer the cause of this, the Prince exclaims, "How can man think of joy and pleasure when such things exist!" and turning back his chariot he re-enters the palace.
Shortly afterwards, Joa- Another day, going out