The King Become a Hermit
In those days, there was a King Makka Deva reigning Mithila city with virtues. There was no crime. Everyone in the city treated others like relatives. Therefore, no police or guard was needed.
Although he ruled the country for many ten thousand years, he still looked young and healthy. However, he never neglected the truth of life. He told his barber that if the barber found any whitehair, the barber must tell him as soon as possible.
After that about ten thousand years, the barber saw the first whitehair of the king. The barber told the king, took the whitehair and put down slowly to the king’s hand.
Being sad about declination of his body, the king decided to become a hermit. He rewarded the barber and talked to his son.
“My beloved son, this whitehair like a messenger of death standing in front of me. I have occupied the thrown happily long enough. It’s time to find inside happiness, which is everlasting.” the king said.
“I’ll abdicate the thrown. You should rule this city with virtues. And when you have a first whitehair, you have to abdicate the thrown and become a hermit. Don’t end this cycle.”
After that, the king abdicated the thrown, became a hermit, live in Himmapan forest, and practice the dhrama until he succeeded a high level of meditation and get reborn in higher-than-heaven world.
The barber finally reincarnated as Anon, a famous Buddhist saint. The son finally reincarnated as Rahul, the son of the Buddha. The king finally reincarnated as the Buddha.
Moral: Only inner happiness is eternal.