 | About 2,500 years ago, a noble man was born in India, and his life was destined to spread the sacred teachings of goodness around the world.
It was spring time in Kapilavastu (Nepal), and its Royal Highness Queen Maya was conceiving a child that was perceived to be the heir of her spouse, King Suddhodana.
Following India’s old traditions, Queen Maya went back to her hometown when her time to give birth was approaching. The queen traveled the long distance with the king’s men and servants in tow to protect and assist her.
On her way, Queen Maya reached Lumbini Garden, where she was attracted to stop for a moment and rest under an Ashoka tree. While on respite, she eventually gave birth to the prince. She was tired and her bleeding did not stop. The King was happy yet worried over Queen Maya’s condition.
The whole castle celebrated the birth of the infant named Prince Siddartha. Among who joined the celebration was a sage, Asita. He has the power to see the past and predict the future. When Asita saw the face of the little Prince Siddartha, her tears quickly fell down her cheeks. She started to cry bitterly.
King Suddhona asked “Why are you crying?”
“The next king has such a pleasant feature. If he chooses to be a king, he would become a great leader. But if he chooses to be a monk, he will become a great sage and thus, will bring benefit to all living beings in the world,” Asita revealed.
The King however tossed back another question. “If he has such a pleasant feature then why are you sad?”
“I am crying for myself. I will not be able to see him grow and accomplish his cultivation. I will not be around to listen to the teachings of the great enlightened one. That is what I regret the most,” Asita explained.
Seven days after she had given birth, Queen Maya passed away. The Queen’s sister, Princess Mahapajapati looked after Prince Siddharta as her own.
The heart of Siddhartha was imbibed with pity and compassion for all the creatures of universe since his childhood. When he reached 19, he went outside their palace to see their entire kingdom. Here he witnessed the four things that constantly happen in a person’s life – birth, old age, sickness and death. These phases in a man’s life made him contemplate about the impermanence of life.
In his desire to unravel the origin and cycle of life, sufferings and death, Prince Siddhartha renounced his royal and luxurious life and traveled for six years in search for the truth. He entered the next six years of his life with rigid austerities and different kinds of self-mortification. Twelve years have passed and Prince Siddhartha realized he was not a step closer to the hope for understanding.
He came upon a quiet place and stopped to meditate under a Bodhi tree. After 49 days of thinking and meditation, Siddhartha received insight into both his former and present lives. He came to conclusion that extremes in life lead to nothing, that is suffering, and that suffering must be eliminated. By the age of 31, he reached this insight and attained Buddhahood or Enlightenment.
From being the royal prince Siddharta, he was then known as the Buddha or the Enlightened One, who was born on the 8th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. Scholars of Han Dynasty recorded this day as the celebration of Buddha’s birthday or Vesak Day.
Every year, Buddhists around the world hold the sacred ceremony of “Buddha Bathing” to commemorate the birth of the Enlightened One 2,500 years ago. |