REAL HISTORY
The Birth of Buddha
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Two thousand five hundred years ago, when India was divided into many kingdoms, there lived a King called Shuddhodana, with his wife, Queen Mahamaya, and they ruled over the Shakya race of Northern India.
One night the Queen had a dream that an elephant of pure white came to her, and entered her body. When she awoke, she knew that she would now have a son. The King was delighted to hear this, for they had no heir to the throne.
When the time came to give birth, Queen Mahamaya requested to leave the palace and go to the beautiful grove called Lumbini. There, amidst the flowers and trees, attended by thousands of waiting-women, the baby Buddha was born, and he emerged from the Queen’s side, without any pain or suffering.
Like the full moon come down to earth, her child shone in radiance and beauty, illuminating the entire earth, and eclipsing the sun with his brightness, as the sun dims lamps in the daytime.
His mother looked on in wonder, as her child took seven firm steps and proclaimed in a loud voice, like that of a lion: "I have come for the enlightenment of the world."
The gods rained down flowers, the mighty snakes bowed their heads, and the heavenly beings gathered in the grove to wait upon him, just as they had done many times before at the birth of other Buddhas*.
That day all the waters flowed calmly, all diseases among mankind were instantly cured, celestial drums resounded in the air, and the whole world became peaceful - not even the animals fought with each other.
The King, on seeing the unusual power of his son, wept tears of mingled joy and apprehension, the Queen was delighted and concerned at the same time, and the waiting women, filled with worry, prayed to the gods for good fortune.
But when the wise-men who lived in the realm saw the omens, they came flocking to the grove with beaming faces full of wonder, and told the King that there was no cause for concern.
"Your son has come to end all suffering in the world," they said. "By his knowledge and truth he will overcome all difficulties, and resplendent in his glory, he will stand on the earth like the mightiest of mountains.
"As gold is the best of metals, the ocean of waters, the moon of planets and the sun of fires, so your son is the best of men. Rejoice, O King, and be glad."
Thus was the King comforted, and in his joy he gave the wise-men many precious gifts, and in his realm he threw open the prisons.
From that time onwards no wars took place, no one was disrespectful to their elders and no one was lacking in generosity. No one went hungry, no one was ill, no one withheld wealth, and no one hurt other living creatures. Theft, hatred, and unkindness disappeared, and the kingdom prospered in peace and freedom, now that Buddha was born.
*Buddha literally means ‘enlightened’ and was a name given to many wise sages before and after Buddha; Buddha was only given this name when he attained enlightenment, before that he was called Sarvarthasiddha.