1. Look at the image below. What do you see?
- Who is the young man holding the bow? Why do you think so?
- What do the details of this scene tell you about Siddhartha’s early life?
2. Read the following text and follow the directions on your worksheet.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/0/5/24059461/275770231.jpg?1385851432)
Royal Life
Prince Siddhartha’s father worried about what the Brahmins' prediction because he wanted his son to become a great and powerful ruler. The king believed that if his son saw suffering in the world, he would give up his duties as a prince and instead become a spiritual leader.
Thus, Siddhartha was shielded from religious teachings and human suffering. He saw only a world of perfect wealth and beauty. His palaces contained the finest gardens, houses, education, and food. Servants looked after his every need.
"When I was a child, I was delicately brought up, most delicately. A white sunshade was held over me day and night to protect me from cold, heat, dust, dirt, and dew. My father gave me three lotus ponds: one where red lotuses bloomed, one where white lotuses bloomed, one where blue lotuses bloomed."
"I wore the most costly garments, ate the finest foods. I was surrounded by beautiful women. During the rainy season I stayed in my palace, where I was entertained by musicians and dancing girls. I never even thought of leaving."
When the prince was 16, he was married to his cousin who was a beautiful young noblewoman. The couple had a son and it is believed that for 12 years, the couple lived together in peace, enjoying the prince’s many palaces.
Prince Siddhartha’s father worried about what the Brahmins' prediction because he wanted his son to become a great and powerful ruler. The king believed that if his son saw suffering in the world, he would give up his duties as a prince and instead become a spiritual leader.
Thus, Siddhartha was shielded from religious teachings and human suffering. He saw only a world of perfect wealth and beauty. His palaces contained the finest gardens, houses, education, and food. Servants looked after his every need.
"When I was a child, I was delicately brought up, most delicately. A white sunshade was held over me day and night to protect me from cold, heat, dust, dirt, and dew. My father gave me three lotus ponds: one where red lotuses bloomed, one where white lotuses bloomed, one where blue lotuses bloomed."
"I wore the most costly garments, ate the finest foods. I was surrounded by beautiful women. During the rainy season I stayed in my palace, where I was entertained by musicians and dancing girls. I never even thought of leaving."
When the prince was 16, he was married to his cousin who was a beautiful young noblewoman. The couple had a son and it is believed that for 12 years, the couple lived together in peace, enjoying the prince’s many palaces.