1. Siddhartha encounters several forms of suffering on his chariot rides through the parks. What are they? How do you think these types of suffering contribute to his later teachings in the Four Noble Truths? 2. In the excerpt from Bhagavad Gita, how does Krishna-an incarnation of the god Vishnu- describe the fourfold caste system? What are the castes, and what are the duties of each one?

3. Consider the societal structure of early India as described in the textbook and the excerpt from Bhagavad Gita. Since he operates within the parameters of such a system, why do you think Siddhartha's father the raja reacts the way that he does to his son's revelations in the park?