釋迦譜 1.404

1.404

At that time the Crown Prince reached the age of nineteen. He thought to himself: "Now is truly the time for me to go forth from the household." He then went to the court of his father the king, his deportment dignified and composed, just like Śakra visiting the Brahmā Heaven. Seeing him, the courtiers reported to the king, saying: "The Crown Prince is coming to the Great King's presence." Hearing these words, the king felt a mixture of sorrow and joy. Once the Crown Prince arrived, he bowed his head to the ground in homage. At that moment, his father the king embraced him and bade him sit. Having sat down, the Crown Prince said to his father the king: "Wherever affection and love gather, parting is inevitable. I pray only that you grant me permission to go forth and train in the Path, so that all sentient beings may be delivered from the suffering of separation from what they love. May you deign to grant it, and not hinder or detain me." When King Śuddhodana heard the Crown Prince's words, his heart felt immense agony, as though a vajra had shattered a mountain. Trembling all over, he could not remain steady on his seat. Clasping the Crown Prince's hand, he could speak no more, weeping and sobbing in choked sorrow. After a long while, in a faint voice, he said: "You must put an end to your wish to leave home! Why is this? You are in the prime of your youth, and the kingdom has as yet no heir; how could you simply cast me aside without a single backward glance?" The Puyao jing says: The Crown Prince addressed the king, asking for four wishes: first, not to grow old; second, to be without illness; third, not to die; fourth, not to be parted. "If my father the king can grant these four wishes, I will not leave home." Hearing this, the king was plunged into deeper grief: "These four wishes have never been obtained by anyone, past or present!" Seeing his father the king shedding tears and refusing permission, the Crown Prince returned to his quarters, brooding over leaving home in sorrow and gloom.