The Great Departure and Renunciation of Budha

The Great Departure and Renunciation of Budha: – After Prince Siddhartha saw the “Four Sights” (“The Four Omens”) he decided to relinquish the princely life to become an ascetic, to learn and seek solution to human suffering. After bidding farewell to his sleeping wife and son, he left the palace accompanied by Channa and riding his horse Kanthaka. When he reached a forest near Anoma River, Siddhartha cut his hair, a symbolic confirmation to his renunciation and his new life as ascetic. These events are depicted on a set of stamps issued by Sri Lanka in 2014 to commemorate Vesak Festival.

Prince Siddhartha seeing the repulsive sight of sleeping dancers in the eve of renunciation:

Prince Siddhartha looking at his wife Yasodhara and son Rahula in the eve of renunciation

Prince Siddhartha crossing River Anoma in the eve of renunciationPrince Siddhartha cutting off his hair in the eve of renunciation