Reading Notes: The Life of Buddha, Part A

Maya's Dream

  • Queen Maya had a dream where a young elephant came from the sky and entered her womb. Also, a bunch of gods appeared in the dream and sang her immortal songs.
  • When she woke up, she was so happy and went to the woods. She told her maids to go get her husband, King Suddhodana.
  • King Suddhodana reigned in Kapilavastu.
  • Before he could enter the woods, he felt something weird. Then, he heard a voice from above telling him to be happy as he was expecting a son.
  • He went to his wife and she told him about the dream. She asked him to tell some brahmans about it and to interpret what it means.
  • The brahmans told them they are expecting a son, who will be great and a Buddha.
  • They celebrated and gave back to the poor.
  • I liked that this was a simple and cute story of Maya finding out she's pregnant. I could re-write this story in a more modern setting. 
King Suddhodana asking brahmans to interpret the Queen's dream.
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Bibliography: "Maya's Dream"- The Life of Buddha by A. F. Herold.

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