As Siddhartha stood alone in the forest, ready to begin his great adventure, he thought, from this day forward, he is no longer a prince. Therefore, it was not right that he continued to look and dress like one. He took his knife and cut off his long hair, a sign of royalty. Then he met a poor hunter and said to him, “Sir, I have no more need of these silk clothes. If I am to live in the forest I should wear something rough like yours. Let us switch.” The hunter was surprised and delighted to receive such expensive clothing in exchange for his own and quickly agreed to Siddhartha’s suggestion.

Now that he was properly dressed as a poor seeker of the truth, Siddhartha began to look for a teacher who could show him the way to end all suffering. He wandered through the forests and spoke to all the many holy men he found there. Everywhere he went he was welcomed with respect. Even though he now wore ragged clothes and ate only the food he could begged, he was still a very handsome and striking looking man. When the people in the forest saw him coming they said to one another, “Here comes a very special person. His face is so strong and determined! If such a man is looking for the truth, he is sure to find it.”

Siddhartha studied with several teachers, but was not satisfied with what he learned from them. What they teach is helpful, he thought, but it does not lead to perfect happiness. Finally he heard that some very wise men lived in the kingdom of Magadha where King Bimbisara ruled. So he decided to travel far to the south and east to find them.

One day, as he was walking through Ragagriha, the capital city of Magadha, he passed near the palace gates. One of King Birmbisara’s ministers saw him and immediately ran to the king.

“Sire,” he said excitedly, “I have just seen a most unusual man in the city. He is dressed in rags and begs for food from door to door, but I am sure he must be a great person. His face is so strong and he walks with such dignity. It almost seems that a special light shines from him!”

The king was very interested and asked that Siddhartha be brought before him. They talked together for awhile and the king was very impressed by his intelligence, modesty and kind manner. Then the king said, “I have never met a man I felt I could trust more than you. Please settle here in Rajagriha and help me rule my kingdom.”

But Siddhartha replied politely, “Oh king, I have already had the chance to rule a kingdom, but I had to refuse. I am not interested in wealth or power, only in the path of truth. I thank you for your offer, but I have come to your kingdom only to find teachers who can help me with my search.”