[无量香光 · 显密文库 · 手机站]
fowap.goodweb.net.cn
{返回首页}


Part One 3. The Birth of Siddhartha
 
{返回 The Life of Buddha 文集}
{返回网页版}
点击:2294

p. 12

3. The Birth of Siddhartha

MONTHS passed. Then, one day, the queen knew that the time was approaching for her son to be born. She went to King Suddhodana, and she said to him:

"My lord, I would wander through the happy gardens. Birds are singing in the trees, and the air is bright with flower-dust. I would wander through the happy gardens."

"But it will weary you, O queen," replied Suddhodana. "Are you not afraid?"

"The innocent being that I carry in my womb must be born amid the innocence of budding flowers. No, I will go, O master, I will go into the flower-gardens."

The king yielded to Maya's wish. He said to his servants:

"Go into the gardens and deck them out in silver and in gold. Drape the trees with precious hangings. Let everything be magnificent, for the queen will pass."

Then he addressed Maya:

"Array yourself, to-day, in great splendor, O

p. 13

Maya. Ride in a gorgeous palanquin; let your most beautiful maidens carry you. Order your servants to use rare perfumes; have them wear ropes of pearls and bracelets of precious stones; have them carry lutes and drums and flutes, and sing sweet songs that would delight the Gods themselves."

Suddhodana was obeyed, and when the queen reached the palace-gates the guards greeted her with joyous cries. Bells peeled gaily, peacocks spread their gorgeous tail-feathers, and the song of swans throbbed in the air.

They came to a wood where the trees were in bloom, and Maya ordered them to set down the palanquin. She stepped out and began wandering about, aimlessly. She was happy. And behold! she found a rare tree, the branches drooping under their burden of blossoms. She went up to it; gracefully extending her hand, she drew down a branch. Suddenly, she stood very still. She smiled, and the maidens who were near her received a lovely child into their arms.

At that same moment all that was alive in the world trembled with joy. The earth quivered. Songs and the patter of dancing feet echoed in the sky. Trees of all seasons burst into flower, and ripe fruit hung from the branches. A pure, serene light appeared in the sky. The sick were rid of their suffering. The hungry were satisfied. Those to

p. 14

whom wine had played false became sober. Madmen recovered their reason, the weak their strength, the poor their wealth. Prisons opened their gates. The wicked were cleansed of all evil.

One of Maya's maidens hastened to King Suddhodana and joyously exclaimed:

"My lord, my lord, a son is born to you, a son who will bring great glory to your house!"

He was speechless. But his face was radiant with joy, and he knew great happiness.

Presently he summoned all the Sakyas, and he commanded them to accompany him into the garden where the child had been born. They obeyed, and, with a host of brahmans in attendance, they formed a noble retinue as they gravely followed the king.

When he came near the child, the king made a deep obeisance, and he said:

"Do you bow as I bow before the prince, to whom I give the name Siddhartha."

They all bowed, and the brahmans, inspired by the Gods, then sang:

"All creatures are happy, and they are no longer rough, those roads travelled by men, for he is born, he who gives happiness: he will bring happiness into the world. In the darkness a great light has dawned, the sun and the moon are like dying embers, for he is born, he who gives light: he will

p. 15

bring light into the world. The blind see, the deaf hear, the foolish have recovered their reason, for he is born, he who restores sight, and restores hearing, and restores the mind: he will bring sight, he will bring hearing, he will bring reason into the world. Perfumed zephyrs ease the suffering of mankind, for he is born, he who heals: he will bring health into the world. Flames are no longer pitiless, the flow of rivers has been stayed, the earth has trembled gently: he will be the one to see the truth."

 


{返回 The Life of Buddha 文集}
{返回网页版}
{返回首页}

上一篇:Part One 4. Asitas Prediction
下一篇:Part One 2. Mayas Dream
 Part Three 1. Mahaprajapati is Admi..
 Part Three 6. The Buddha Tames a Wi..
 Part Three 2. The Buddha Exposes th..
 Part Two 11. The Story of the Crane..
 Title Page / Foreword / Table of Co..
 Part Three 15. The Buddha and the S..
 Part Three 3. Suprabha
 Part One 2. Mayas Dream
 Part One 12. Siddhartha Leaves His ..
 Part Two 19. Nandas Pride
全文 标题
 
【佛教文章随机阅读】
 问10:尊者,如果坐时观照“坐、坐”是目的,为什么还要教我们坐时观“起、伏”呢?[栏目:马哈希尊者访谈 An Interview with Mahasi Sayadaw]
 佛说四十二章经讲解 第二十四章 色欲障道[栏目:妙祥法师]
 天台小止观 讲解 第五十二集[栏目:天台小止观讲解·成观法师]
 前世今生论 二、建立自宗[栏目:引路明灯]
 杂阿含经卷第八(二○四)[栏目:杂阿含经]
 四信[栏目:明奘法师]
 菩萨与六度波罗蜜之关系(如本法师)[栏目:六度万行]
 第四册 佛教史 第十八课 欧美佛教史[栏目:佛光教科书 第四册]
 慈、悲、喜、舍四无量心的深入修行意义 「解脱道」四无量心定的修学意义[栏目:大寂尼师]
 为什么梦到已故的人[栏目:净空法师]


{返回首页}

△TOP

- 手机版 -
[无量香光·显密文库·佛教文集]
教育、非赢利、公益性的佛教文化传播
白玛若拙佛教文化传播工作室制作
www.goodweb.net.cn Copyrights reserved
(2003-2015)
站长信箱:yjp990@163.com