LLD. T. W. Rhys Davids - 1000 Buddhas of Genius

The river rose thirty or forty miles to the north of their settlement in the spurs of the mighty Himalayas, whose giant peaks loomed up in the distance against the clear blue of the Indian sky. The Sakyas had penetrated further to the east than most of their fellow tribes, but beyond them in that direction was the powerful confederation of the Licchavis and the rising kingdom of Magadha, while behind them to the west lay those lands which the Brahmans held most sacred. Their nearest neighbours to be feared were the subjects of the king of Sravasti, the rival of the king of Magadha. It was this rivalry more than their own strength that secured for the Sakyas a precarious independence; but their own hand was strong enough to protect them against the incursions of roving bands from the hills, and to sustain them in their quarrels with neighbouring clans of the same standing as themselves. They lived from the produce of their cattle and their rice-fields; their supplies of water being drawn from the Rohini, on the other side of which lived the Koliyans, a kindred tribe. The Sakyas sometimes quarrelled with the Koliyans for the possession of the water supply, but at this moment the two clans were at peace, and two daughters of the raja, or chief, of the Koliyans were the wives of Suddhodana, the raja of the Sakyas.

The story tells us that both were childless, a misfortune great enough in other times and in other countries, but especially then and in that culture where it was firmly believed that the state of a mans existence after death depended upon ceremonies to be performed by his heir. The rejoicing, therefore, was great when, at the age of 45, the elder sister promised Suddhodana a son. In accordance with custom, she started off with the intention of being confined to her parents house, but it was on the way under the shade of some lofty satin trees in a pleasant grove called Lumbini that her son, the future Buddha, was unexpectedly born. The mother and child were carried back to Suddhodanas house; there, seven days afterwards, the mother died. The boy, however, found a careful nurse in his mothers sister, his fathers other wife.

Seeing what marvel are the devas so joyful? They shout, they sing, play music, clap their hands, dance. So I ask you, who live on Mount Merus summit. Please dispel my doubt quickly, dear sirs. The Bodhisattva, the foremost jewel, unequalled, has been born for welfare and ease in the human world, in a town in the Sakyan countryside, Lumbini. Thats why were all so wildly elated. He, the highest of all beings, the ultimate person, a bull among men, foremost of all people, will set turning the Wheel [of Dharma] in the grove named after the seers, like a strong, roaring lion, the conqueror of beasts.

Hearing these words, Asita quickly descended [from heaven] and went to Suddhodanas dwelling. There, taking a seat, he said to the Sakyans: Where is the prince? I, too, want to see him. The Sakyans then showed to the seer named Asita their son, the prince, like gold aglow, burnished by a most skilful smith in the mouth of the furnace, blazing with glory, flawless in colour. On seeing the prince blazing like flame, pure like the bull of the stars going across the sky the burning sun, released from the clouds of autumn he was exultant, filled with abundant rapture. The devas held in the sky a many-spoked sunshade of a thousand circles. Gold-handled whisks waved up and down, but those holding the whisks and the sunshade couldnt be seen.

The matted-haired seer named Dark Splendor, seeing the boy, like an ornament of gold on the red woollen blanket, a white sunshade held over his head, received him, happy and pleased. And on receiving the bull of the Sakyans, longingly, the master of mantras and signs exclaimed with a confident mind: This one is unsurpassed, the highest of the biped race. Then, foreseeing his own imminent departure, he, dejected, shed tears. On seeing him weeping, the Sakyans asked: But surely there will be no danger for the prince? On seeing the Sakyans concern he replied, I foresee for the prince no harm. Nor will there be any danger for him. This one isnt lowly: be assured.

This prince will touch the ultimate self-awakening. He, seeing the utmost purity, will set rolling the Wheel of Dharma through sympathy for the welfare of many. His holy life will spread far and wide. But as for me, my life here has no long remainder; my death will take place before then. I wont get to hear the Dharma of this one with the peerless role. [Snp III.11] 4. Sakyamuni Buddha signaling fearlessnesswith right hand and the gift-giving signwith his left hand , date unknown, China.