Buddha's Mother

Hotels in Japan have the book of Buddha. I started reading the first pages, here's what it said.

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"The Shakya clansmen dwelt along the Rohini River which flows among the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Their king, Shuddhodana Guatama, established his capital at Kapilavastu and there had a great castle build and ruled wisely, winning the acclaim of his people.

The Queen's name was Maya.

For twenty years they had no children. But one night Queen Maya had a strange dream, in which she saw a white elephant entering into her womb through the right side of her chest, and she became pregnant. According to their custom the Queen returned to her parents' home for the birth, and on her way, in the beautiful spring sunshine, she took a rest in the Lumbini Garden.

All about her were Ashoka blossoms. In delight she reached her right arm out to pluck a branch and as she did so a prince was born. All expressed their heart-felt delight with the glory of the Queen and her princely child; Heaven and Eart rejoiced. This memorable day was the eighth of April.

The joy of the King was extreme and he named the child, Siddhartha, which means "Every wish fulfilled"."

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As you may know, Siddhartha would become the Buddha. Therefore, Maya was his mother.

- This is my love note for my daughter Maya, whom I'm thinking of while I'm far away on a trip to Japan - your father.