Q. What were the ‘Four Great Signs’ that according to Buddhist tradition led Gautama to renounce the world?
(a) Love, compassion, non-injury, purity
(b) Old age, diseased person, dead body, an ascetic
(c) That the world is full of suffering, desire and carve for existence, renunciation of desire, cycle of births and re-birth
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (b) Old age, diseased person, dead body, an ascetic
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Old age, diseased person, dead body, an ascetic.
According to Buddhist tradition, the ‘Four Great Signs’ are the experiences that Gautama Buddha encountered, which led him to renounce the worldly life in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. These signs are:
1. Old age: Gautama witnessed an elderly person, which made him realize the inevitable process of aging and the impermanence of youth and vitality.
2. Diseased person: Gautama encountered someone suffering from illness, which made him recognize the universal existence of suffering and the impermanence of good health.
3. Dead body: Gautama saw a deceased person, which made him confront the reality of death and the transient nature of life.
4. Ascetic: Lastly, Gautama encountered an ascetic or a renunciant who had renounced worldly attachments in search of spiritual liberation. This encounter inspired Gautama to contemplate the possibility of finding true peace and freedom through renunciation.
These profound encounters with the Four Great Signs deeply impacted Gautama, leading him to renounce his princely life and embark on the spiritual journey that eventually culminated in his enlightenment as the Buddha.
