Every Wish Fulfilled

Author: * Ningyo Minamoto - 11 Posts on this thread out of 660 Posts sitewide.
Date: May 5, 2004 - 05:03

The Shakya clansmen dwelt along the Rohini River which flows among the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Their king, Shuddhodana Gautama, established his capital at Kapilavastu and there had a great castle built and ruled wisely, winning the acclaim of his people.

The Queen's name was Maya. She was the daughter of the King's uncle who was also the king of a neighboring district of the same Shakya clan.

For twenty years they had no children. But one night Queen Maya had a strange dream, in which she saw a white elephant entering into her womb through the right side of her chest, and she became pregnant. The King and the people looked forward with anticipation to the birth of a royal child. According to their custom the Queen returned to her parents' home for the birth, and on her way, in the beautiful spring sunshine, she took a rest in the Lumbini Garden.

All about her were Ashoka blossoms. In delight she reached her right arm out to pluck a branch and as she did so a prince was born. Heaven and earth rejoiced. This memorable day was the eight day of April.

The prince was named Siddhartha, wich means "Every wish fulfilled".

~~adapted from The Teaching of Buddha, ed. Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, Tokyo~~