If you want to learn more about Buddhism, you can click this really informative book here.
Buddhism for Beginners is a book that was used in Singapore schools in the mid 1980s and early 1990s and taught as a curriculum. It covers the basics of Buddhism like the Life & Teaching of the Buddha, Buddhism in Practice etc.
The Dialogue with the Buddha (Page 74 to 76 from Buddhism for Beginners)
Concerned about the welfare of his son, King Shuddhodana wanted to know how He could lead the life of a monk after being brought up as a prince, so he asked, “When you were young, you wore beautiful woollen slippers and walked on carpets, with an umbrella over your head. Now, you walk bare-footed in the open; are your feet not hurt?”
“I have renounced everything and destroyed craving. I feel no pain,” the Buddha replied.
“When you were in the palace, you bathed in cool water scented by sandalwood. Now you roam about in cold nights in the forest. How do you bathe and refresh yourself when you are weary?” asked the king.
“Now, I bathe in the stream of virtues. The Dharma is the pool of virtues. It is pure and is always praised by man,” answered the Buddha.
“When staying in the palace, you wore garments made of the finest quality cloth. Now you wear a robe, coarse and plain. It is strange that you can bear it.”
“A Buddha does not pay attention to the beauty of His clothes, the comfort of His bed, or the taste of His food. He does not pay heed to sense pleasures.”
“Formerly, you slept on soft cushions of silk strewn with owers. Now, you sleep on the grass in the field, or on the hard ground. Does not your body ache?”
“My life is without grief and sorrow now, for craving is destroyed. I sleep well and happily.”
“Formerly, in the palace, you were protected by armed guards. Now, in the forest, you are unprotected. Are you not afraid?”
“I have overcome fear. I am not moved by blame or praise. Like a lion, I am not frightened by noises. Can a conqueror, a leader of men, be afraid?”
“ The whole earth would be your kingdom if you had not renounced the world.”
“ The whole earth is still my kingdom. Thousands are my disciples!” the Buddha replied.
Greatly impressed by the answers given by the Buddha, the king exclaimed,“Your renunciation of family and kingdom has not been in vain. Your struggle for Enlightenment has been fruitful.”
The next day, as He had not been invited to the palace for His meal, the Buddha and His disciples went into Kapilavastu for alms. Yashodhara, who witnessed this scene, quickly reported it to the king. Immediately, the king went out to meet the Buddha and asked, “Son, why do you disgrace our royal lineage by seeking alms?”
“Seeking alms is the custom of my lineage,” replied the Buddha.
“Is it the custom of our royal lineage to earn a living by seeking alms?”
“My lineage is that of the Buddha’s,” He answered.
Then the Buddha and His disciples were invited to the palace for a meal. When the meal was over, the Buddha said to the Shakyans:
"One should practise the Dharma well,
One should not do evil.
He who practises the Dharma well, rests in bliss Both in this world and in the next.”
On hearing this verse, King Shuddhodana and Prajapati gained faith in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Good..
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