Why Siddhartha’s Photographer?

The story of Siddhartha is ancient. It is the story of seeing suffering…as if for the first time, and then dedicating oneself to finding the causes of suffering so that suffering can be extinguished.

Siddhartha was a prince who lived a life of luxury. His father made certain that Siddhartha never witnessed aging or illness or death. One night, Siddhartha snuck away with his charioteer into the village beyond the palace and he saw an old man. Siddhartha was baffled by this oldness, and inquired of his charioteer who told him that all people get old. The second night, Siddhartha snuck away again, and witnessed a very ill woman. Yes, again Siddhartha did not at first understand until he was instructed again that all humans get sick. On the third night, Siddhartha came upon a corpse. How could this be? We know what his charioteer told Siddhartha.

On the fourth night, Siddhartha came upon an ascetic who tortured his body to seek the truth, hoping to discover the causes of suffering. Siddhartha joined a troupe of ascetics, determined also to find the causes of suffering.

Eventually, Siddhartha abandoned ascetism for a middle path and dedicated his life to understanding the causes of suffering, and therefore, the path to ending suffering. Siddhartha followed the middle path until he became enlightened. Siddhartha was thereafter called the Buddha.

Siddhartha didn’t turn away from suffering, rather he saw it clearly and without delusions. Being Siddhartha’s Photographer is to observe suffering as if through Siddhartha’s eyes: forthrightly and freshly and in hope of learning deeply. Being Siddhartha’s Photographer is also to chronicle those who dedicate themselves to the path of seeking an end to suffering. What can we learn by facing suffering—our own and others—and by conversing with those who spend lifetimes not averting their eyes? Can we see with both eyes open?