Buddhism: The Birth Story of Siddhartha Gautama

Cirilo Morillo Jr. Samantha Danielle Munoz Radney Rolda

Buddhism is a religion indigenous to the Indian subcontinent that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha (meaning "the awakened one" in Sanskrit and Pli). The Eight-Spoked Dharma Wheel has eight spokes which represent the Buddhas Eightfold Noble Path of proper attitude and actions. The Buddhas Path consists of correct thought, correct speech, correct actions, correct livelihood, correct understanding, correct effort, correct mindfulness, and correct concentration.

The Birth Story of Prince Siddhartha Characters/Setting of the Story Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha-to-be, who lived more than 2,500 years ago, was born about 583 BCE. His father, King Suddhodana, was leader of a large clan called the Shakya and his mother was Queen Maha Maya, who died shortly after his birth. They lived in India, in a city called Kapilavatthu, in the foothills of the Himalayas. They belonged to the Indian warrior caste.

The Meaning of the Lotus Flower in Buddhism The lotus flower represents one symbol of fortune in Buddhism. It grows in muddy water, and it is this environment that gives forth the flowers first and most literal meaning: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment. The second meaning, which is related to the first is purification. It resembles the purifying of the spirit which is born into murkiness. The third meaning refers to faithfulness. Those who are working to rise above the muddy waters will need to be faithful followers.

Overview of the Story A long time ago in India, there lived a king named Suddhodana and a queen named Maha Maya. They were both good and kind people. One full moon night, the Queen dreamt of four devas. They carried her to a lake, to rest on a soft bed. A white elephant carrying a lotus flower went round her three times and disappeared into her. Wise men explained that the Queen was going to give birth to a prince.

When the time came for the baby to be born, Queen Maha Maya left the palace with the attendants to go back to her parent's home to give birth to the baby. On the way, they passed by a beautiful park called Lumbini Garden. Queen Maha Maya took a rest in the garden. While she was standing up and holding on to a tree she gave birth to the baby. The birth took place on the fifth month of Vesakha, on a full moon day in 623 BC. We call it Vesak or Buddha Day. Queen Maha Maya then returned to the palace with her baby prince. King Suddhodana was very happy and celebrated the birth of the baby with his people all over the country.

The Naming Ceremony Five days after the birth of the prince, many wise men were invited to the palace for the Naming Ceremony. They looked at the marks on the child's body. Seven wise men raised two fingers and said that the prince would either become a Great King or a Buddha. The youngest, Kondanna, raised only one finger and said that the prince would become a Buddha. The prince was then given the name "Siddhartha" by the wise men, which meant "wish-fulfilled". Seven days after the birth of her child, Queen Maha Maya passed away. Pajapati Gotami, her younger sister, who was also married to King Suddhodana, brought up the prince as her own child.