In times long ago, there once lived an old king who had three sons. One day the king became very ill and as he felt his death coming close, he called his three sons to his bedside and spoke to them. "Dear children! My life has come to its end. I will soon depart from this impermanent, transitory world, and enter again into the permanent, eternal world. After my release from this life you will take my place on the throne and will reign over my kingdom ......