The Life of the Buddha

by The Venerables Kassapa and Siridhamma

The Birth

Two thousand five hundred and eighty years ago, in a land covering most of the area of the modern kingdom of Nepal, but extending further southwards, as the Vesak Day, that is, the full-moon day of the month of May approached, there was much excitement and rejoicing, for on this day a child was expected to be born to Queen Maya, wife of King Suddhodana of the Sakyans; for this was the land of the Sakyans, thickly populated with a number of townships and villages, where many Kshatriya Lords and their followers lived. To the south extended the country of the Kosalans, and further on, the land of Magadha. In Kapilavatthu, the capital city of the Sakyans, King Suddhodana had arranged that his wife should travel the short distance to the neighbouring land of the Koliyans, to the ruling family of which Queen Maya belonged, so that according to the custom of the time she could give birth to her child in the home of her own parents. But that was not to be. On the way to the Koliyan land there was the pleasure ground of Lumbini where the party halted and stayed awhile to rest. Here the Queen felt the pains of childbirth come upon her and as she was holding the branch of a Sal tree, the baby was born. It was a male child of extraordinary beauty and grace.The child was attended to and the party returned to Kapilavatthu, as further travelling on towards the Koliyan land was now objectless.

to be continued...