太子瑞應本起經 1.20

1.20

"When he reached fourteen years of age, he requested the king to go out on an excursion, wishing to observe activities [in the world]. The king commanded his attendants and the hundred officials to guide and accompany him. Just as he went out of the eastern gate of the city, the Lord of Devas transformed into a sick man, his body emaciated and his belly swollen, leaning against the gate wall and gasping for breath. The prince asked, saying: 'What kind of person is this?' His servant said: 'A sick man.' 'What is meant by being sick?' He replied: 'All illness arises from wind and cold, or heat or chill. This person must have eaten and drunk without restraint and had irregular sleep and rising; therefore he has contracted this disease.' The prince said: 'How suffering it is! Living in wealth and nobility, enjoying delicious food and drink, I too indulge without restraint; when sickness comes again, how will I differ from this?' He immediately turned his carriage back, sorrowfully reflecting that human life is subject to this affliction: 'Could it be that the mighty and powerful alone can be exempt?' Thereupon he grieved and did not eat, reflecting to himself that he could not bear this disease. The king asked his servant: 'When the prince went out on the excursion, was he not happy?' He replied: 'He encountered a sick man, and on this account was displeased.' The king immediately added five hundred singing-girls to entertain him day and night. The king's heart was sorrowful, fearing that he would study the Way. After several years, when he had recovered slightly, he again addressed the king: 'Confined in the palace, the days have been very long; I yearn to go out on an excursion.' The king could not bear to refuse, and warned the realm in advance: 'The prince is going out; do not let any diseased or impure things be beside the road.'"