THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER III – THE BIRTH OF A PRINCE
THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER III – THE BIRTH OF A PRINCE
According to the custom of that time, Queen Mahaa Maayaa decided to visit her mother so that she could be with her at the time of the birth of her baby.
On the way she stopped at the Lumbini Pleasure Garden to rest. Under a sweet-scented Sal tree, on a full moon day in the month of May, in the year 623 B.C., the Prince was born.
The baby Prince took seven steps, and a lotus flower burst through the ground to receive His feet. He made the following announcement:
“Aggo hamasmi lokassa – “I am the Chief in the world
Jettho hamasmi lokassa – There is no equal to me
Settho hamasmi lokassa – I am Supreme
Ayamanthima jathi – This is my last birth
Natthi dani punabbhavo. – ” No rebirth for me.”
It is said in the Anagata Vamsa that the next Buddha, Maithreya, will make a similar announcement at His birth.
The ministers took the Queen and the baby back to Kapilavatthu and King Suddhodana. Many wise men came to see the baby. They said that one day the Prince would either be a King of the world or a Supreme Buddha. The baby Prince was named Siddhaartha Gotama. Siddhaartha means “wish fulfilled” and Gotama was His family name.
Seven days after the birth of the Prince, Queen Mahaa Maayaa died. She was born as a Deva by the name of Matu-deva putta in the Tusita Heaven. Her sister, Mahaa Prajaapathi Gotami, took care of the Prince.
