According to historical accounts, what event most influenced Siddhartha Gautama to begin his quest for wisdom and enlightenment?

• A. Experiencing personal wealth and luxury as a prince
• B. Participating in religious rituals at the palace temple
• C. Receiving teachings from his father about ruling the kingdom
• D. Witnessing suffering, illness, old age, and death among people outside his palace

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of Siddhartha Gautama's early life as a prince who lived in luxury and was shielded from the harsh realities of life.
2. Identify the key event that disrupted this sheltered existence, which was his exposure to the realities of human suffering such as illness, aging, and death when he ventured outside the palace.
3. Recognize that this encounter with suffering is historically noted as the catalyst that motivated Siddhartha to seek deeper understanding and enlightenment.
4. Connect this motivation to the broader psychological concept of existential questioning, where confronting fundamental human conditions leads to a search for meaning and wisdom.
5. Conclude that the event most influencing Siddhartha Gautama's quest was witnessing suffering, illness, old age, and death, rather than his experiences of wealth, rituals, or teachings from his father.