Hagiographical and mythological interpretations of the conception dream of Maya and events surrounding the birth,

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  • Created by: gemshort
  • Created on: 12-04-18 16:34

There are two levels at which to understand the birth of the Buddha: the hagiographical level that is the typical portrayal in texts, including mythical elements; and the allegorical reading that concerns what this hagiographical portrayal reveals aout the essence of Buddhist teachings
In the case of Buddhism, what the narrative reveals is a crucial element: that the Buddha was born into the world, discovered the dharma, established the sasana and community
The mythical elements are essential to the understanding of Buddhist narratives and cannot be dispensed without detriment to the hagiography

The conception and birth of the Buddha

  • When the world lost the dharma, there is, after a thousand years, a cyclic uproar for a new Buddha to be born
  • The Buddha decides to re-enter the realm of existence, selecting Queen Maya because of her purity
  • Queen Maya had a vivid dream about being taken to the Himalayas by angels and the Buddha, disguised as a white elephant bearing a lotus flower, circled her and entered her womb through her

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