‘Seeing the four sights was the most important event in the Buddha’s life’ -12 marker

In my opinion, although seeing the four sights was vital in the life of Siddhartha Gautama as it allowed the Buddha to witness the reality of suffering in the world he lives in, I believe the later event of enlightenment of the Buddha is arguably more significant in the Buddha’s life as without reaching this stage he would not have discovered the truth about the suffering he had witnessed during the four sights. Therefore, seeing the four sights was important to inspire the Buddha to start his journey to enlightenment but the actual occurrence of his enlightenment is what really creates the stem in the religion.

Many Buddhists may agree that seeing the four sights was most important as without this event the Buddha would never have been inspired to begin his journey to enlightenment. This is because when he saw the four sights he was first introduced to the reality of suffering in the world after being hidden from all forms of this when locked away in the palace. The old man, sick man and corpse all helped him realise the true presence of suffering (dukkha), the idea that life is impermanent (anicca) and the sights created him to feel compassionate and sympathetic towards these agonised people (karuna), all three now seen as important teachings in the religion, therefore the event of the four sights played part in the creation of important beliefs used in modern Buddhism. As a result of this event, this led him to want to help these people and he now wanted to know the truth behind why suffering occurs, therefore showing the event of seeing the sights to play the most significant role in the life of the buddha’s enlightenment as without it he would never of began his journey and would not have made the later event of his enlightenment possible.

Additionally, some Buddhists can argue seeing the sights is more important than the other key events in the Buddha’s life as without it the important teaching of the tree marks of existence would not have been generated. The three marks include suffering (dukkha), impermanence (anicca) and no fixed soul (anatta). Dukkha is introduced in this event as the sick man shows the Buddha that it is natural for…