From the noble lineage of the sugarcane, arose King Śuddhodana, the unsurpassed Śākya. Pure in wealth and virtue, complete in excellence, thus he was named Pure Rice. All beings delighted to gaze upon him, like the newly risen moon. The king was like Lord Śakra, and his queen like Śacī. Her resolve was steady as the earth, her mind pure as a lotus. Though she was called Māyā as a metaphor, in truth she was beyond compare. Into that elephant-queen, he descended from the heavens and entered the womb. The mother was entirely free from sorrow and distress, her heart untouched by illusion or deceit. Disliking the clamor of the world, she delighted in dwelling in the quiet forest groves. The glorious garden of Lumbinī, with flowing streams, flowers, and abundant fruit, Serene and conducive to meditation, she requested the king to visit there. The king, knowing her wish, felt a sense of wonder, And commanded all his inner and outer retinue to go together to that garden. At that time, Queen Māyā knew the time of birth had come. Reclining on a splendid couch, she was attended by hundreds of thousands of maidens. On the eighth day of the fourth month, the air was clear and harmonious, Having observed the precepts and cultivated pure virtue, the Bodhisattva was born from her right side. The great compassionate savior of the world caused his mother no pain or distress. King Ulūka was born from a thigh, King Bīḍu from a hand, King Maṇḍāta from the crown of the head, King Kaśyapa from an armpit. The Bodhisattva was likewise, born from the right side. Gradually emerging from the womb, his radiance shone everywhere, As if descending from the sky, not through the birth canal. Having cultivated virtue for countless eons, he knew he was born yet deathless, Serene and unshaken, magnificent, sublime, and dignified. Brilliantly appearing from the womb, like the sun first rising, His radiance was supremely bright, yet it did not harm the eyes. One could gaze directly without being dazzled, like looking at the moon in the sky. His own body shone with light, like the sun outshining a lamp. The Bodhisattva's true golden body illuminated all in the same way. With upright mind, undisturbed, he calmly took seven steps. The soles of his feet bore the mark of the level tread, shining clearly like the seven stars. With the stride of the lion, king of beasts, he surveyed the four directions. Comprehending the true meaning, he was able to declare thus: "This birth is a Buddha's birth, this shall be my final birth. I alone in this life shall liberate all beings." Instantly, from the sky, pure waters streamed down in two flows, One warm, one cool, bathing his head and bringing comfort to his body. Placed in a jeweled palace, lying on a lapis lazuli bed, Heavenly kings with golden flower-hands upheld the four legs of the bed. Gods in the sky held jeweled canopies in attendance, Revering his majestic power, they praised and urged him toward Buddhahood. The dragon kings rejoiced, thirsting for the supreme Dharma. Having served past Buddhas, now they encountered the Bodhisattva. They scattered mandārava flowers, single-mindedly delighting in making offerings. With the Tathāgata's appearance in the world, the Pure Abode gods rejoiced. Having abandoned the joys of desire, they took delight in the Dharma, For sentient beings are submerged in the ocean of suffering, to be liberated. Mount Sumeru, king of jeweled mountains, steadied this great earth. When the Bodhisattva appeared in the world, stirred by the wind of his merit, The whole world greatly trembled, like a boat tossed by wind. Sandalwood powder, fine and fragrant, and treasured lotus blossoms, Carried by the wind through the sky, scattered and fell in profusion. Heavenly garments descended from the sky, touching the body, producing sublime bliss. The sun and moon moved in their usual course, but their light and brilliance doubled. Fires throughout the world blazed without fuel. Pure, cool water wells sprang forth naturally, before and after. The host of palace maidens marveled at these unprecedented wonders, Rushing to drink and bathe, all arising with thoughts of ease and joy. Countless Bhūta gods, delighting in the Dharma, gathered like clouds, Filling the groves and trees of the Lumbinī garden. Strange and wonderful flowers bloomed out of season. Fierce and violent beings all at once gave rise to compassionate minds. All illnesses in the world were cured naturally, without treatment. Noisy birds and beasts fell silent, peaceful and still. All rivers ceased their flow, turbid waters all became clear. The sky was free of clouds, heavenly drums sounded of themselves. All beings in the world attained peace and security, Like a troubled, barren land suddenly gaining a wise and virtuous ruler. The reason the Bodhisattva was born was to relieve the world's many sufferings. Only the demon king trembled with great distress and worry. The father king, seeing his son born, so extraordinary and unprecedented, Though naturally composed and dignified, was startled, his usual demeanor altered. Two breaths arose in his chest—one of joy, and one of fear. The queen, seeing her son born not through the usual passage, With a woman's nature being timid and weak, trembled with anxiety, Unable to distinguish auspicious from inauspicious signs, she instead felt greater dread and terror. The elder women among the attendants prayed confusedly to the spirits, Each beseeching the deities they usually served, wishing for the prince's safety. At that time, in that grove, there was a Brahmin skilled in reading signs, Dignified in bearing, widely learned, eloquent, and of high repute. Seeing the signs, his heart rejoiced, leaping with unprecedented joy. Knowing the king's fearful heart, he spoke truthfully to the king: "One lives in the world seeking only an exceptional son. Now, O King, like the full moon, you should give rise to great joy. You have borne this extraordinary son; he will surely bring glory to your clan. Set your heart at ease, rejoice within, do not give rise to other doubts. Auspicious signs gather upon your house and country; from now on they will turn toward prosperity. This supremely excellent son born to you will surely be the world's savior. This superior being's body, with its golden, wonderful radiance, Such excellent marks mean he will certainly attain perfect enlightenment. If he engages in worldly pleasures, he will become a wheel-turning king, A universal lord of the great earth, ruling with righteous Dharma, A king ruling the four continents, sovereign over all kings. Just as in the world's lights, the sunlight is supreme. If he dwells in mountain forests, single-mindedly seeking liberation, He will accomplish true wisdom, illuminating the entire world, Like Mount Sumeru, supreme among all mountains. Among treasures, gold is supreme; among streams, the ocean is supreme; Among constellations, the moon is supreme; among luminaries, the sun is supreme; The Tathāgata in the world is supreme among two-footed beings. His pure eyes, long and broad, with long lashes above and below, Gazing with a dark blue hue, bright like a half-moon— How could these signs not indicate eyes of supreme equality?" Then the king addressed the twice-born: "If it is as you say, For what reason do such extraordinary marks Appear not in the time of former kings, but manifest in my era?" The Brahmin said to the king: "You should not speak thus. Learning, wisdom, reputation, and deeds— These four matters should not be judged by sequence. What arises from the nature of things each comes from causes and conditions. Now I shall give some analogies; please listen carefully, O King. The two clans of sages, Viku and Aṅgiras, Passed through distant ages, each bearing exceptional sons. Vṛihaspati and Śukra, Who composed treatises on kingship, did not come from their former clans. The teachings of the sage Sārasa were long cut off and lost, But then was born Bṛihaspati, who restored and clarified the treatises. Present knowledge and insight arise; they need not come from prior lineage. The sage Vyāsa composed many treatises; His later descendant, Vālmīki, extensively compiled verses and chapters. The sage Atri did not understand medical treatises; Later was born Atreya, skilled in curing all illnesses. The two sages, Kuśika and Viśvāmitra, were not versed in non-Buddhist doctrines; Later King Gādhi fully comprehended non-Buddhist teachings. The initial lineage of King Ikṣvāku could not control the ocean tides; Until King Sāgara, who fathered a thousand princes, Could control the great ocean tides, preventing them from exceeding their normal bounds. The sage Jaigīṣavya attained meditative states without a teacher. All who gain renown do so through their own power. Some are superior first, then inferior; some inferior first, then superior. Kings and sages need not inherit from their original clan. Therefore, in the world, one should not be concerned with sequence. Thus, O Great King, you should give rise to a joyful heart. With a heart of joy, you will forever be free from doubt." Hearing the sage's words, the king rejoiced and increased his offerings. "I have now borne an excellent son; he shall inherit the wheel-turning throne. My years are already declining; I shall leave home to practice the holy life. Let not this royal sage-prince abandon the world to wander in mountain forests." At that time, in a nearby grove, there was an ascetic sage Named Asita, skilled in reading signs. He came to the palace gate; the king thought it was Brahmā himself. The ascetic's love for the true Dharma—these two signs both appeared. His holy conduct was fully endowed; the king was greatly delighted. He immediately invited him into the palace, reverently making offerings. Leading him into the inner palace, he wished only for him to see the prince. Though surrounded by many maidens, the sage was as if in a quiet forest. Seated properly on the Dharma seat, he was honored and served with respect, Like King Aṅgadīpa serving the sage Pāriśata. Then the king addressed the sage: "Today I gain great benefit. You have troubled yourself, great sage, to come and accept me. Whatever should be done, I pray you instruct me in due time." Thus urged, the great sage was greatly pleased: "Excellent, O ever-victorious king, endowed with all virtues! You love and welcome those who come seeking, are generous, and revere the true Dharma. From a noble clan of benevolence and wisdom, humble and good at compliance. You planted many wonderful causes in the past; the excellent fruit appears now. You should listen as I tell you the reason for my coming today. I came following the sun's path, hearing the gods in the sky say That the king had borne a prince who would attain perfect enlightenment. And seeing previous auspicious signs, I have therefore come here, Wishing to see the Śākya king establish the banner of the true Dharma." Hearing the sage's words, the king was freed from the net of doubt. He ordered the prince to be brought out to show the sage. The sage observed the prince: the thousand-spoked wheel on his soles, The webbed fingers and toes, the white hair-tuft between his brows, The hidden mark of the horse's sheath, his complexion shining with radiant light. Seeing this unprecedented sight, he shed tears and sighed deeply. The king, seeing the sage weep, felt his heart tremble for his son. His breath caught in his chest, alarmed and uneasy. Unconsciously rising from his seat, he bowed his head to the sage's feet And said to the sage: "This son's birth is extraordinary, His appearance is supremely dignified, hardly different from a god. You called him supreme among men; why then do you grieve? Is it that his life will be short, causing me sorrow? Like one long-thirsty obtaining sweet dew, only to lose it again? Or like losing treasure, ruin of house and loss of kingdom? If an excellent son remains, the kingdom's succession has a hope. When I die, my heart will be content, passing peacefully to another life, Like a person's two eyes—one sleeping, one awake. Do not let it be like autumn frost flowers, blooming but bearing no fruit. Among one's kin, love runs deepest for a son. Please explain in due time, that I may find relief." The sage, knowing the father king's heart held great fear and worry, Immediately addressed the king: "O King, do not be afraid. I have already told you, Great King, take care not to give rise to doubts yourself. The signs now are as before; you should not harbor other thoughts. I merely reflect on my own advanced age, grieving, weeping, and sighing. Now, at my life's end, this child appears in the world. Born to end birth—such a one is rarely encountered. He will renounce his holy kingly throne, not cling to the objects of the five desires. Diligently practicing austerities, he will awaken and realize the truth. Constantly for all beings, he will remove the obstacles of ignorance and darkness. In the world, forever blazing, will be the sun-light of his wisdom. Beings submerged in the ocean of suffering, with illnesses as its foam, Aging as its great waves, death as its vast billows. Riding the light boat of wisdom, he will cross these difficult currents. Wisdom goes against the stream, pure precepts are its banks. The cool pool of samādhi, with the wondrous birds of right concentration— Such is the profound and vast great river of the true Dharma. Thirsting beings will drink from it and find relief. Attached to the objects of the five desires, driven by many sufferings, Lost in the wilderness of birth and death, not knowing the way out; The Bodhisattva appears in the world to open the path of liberation. The world's fire of craving, fueled by sense objects, blazes fiercely; He will raise the great cloud of compassion, raining Dharma to extinguish it. The heavy door of ignorance, with craving as its lock, Shuts beings out from the gate of liberation, the way out; The diamond pincers of wisdom will pull out the barb of affection. Ensnared in the net of folly, destitute and without refuge; The Dharma King appears in the world, able to free beings from bondage. O King, do not because of this son give rise to sorrow and distress. You should grieve for those beings, attached to desires, turning from the true Dharma. I am now old, decaying, far removed from holy virtues. Though I have attained various meditative states, I do not gain their fruit. From this Bodhisattva, I will ultimately not hear the true Dharma. After this body perishes and life ends, I will be born in the Heaven of No Return." The king and all his retinue, hearing the sage's words, Knew it was his own grief he sighed for; their terror was all removed. "Having borne this extraordinary son, my heart finds great peace. But if he leaves home, renounces worldly glory, and practices the ascetic's path, Thus not inheriting the royal throne, that would again displease me." Then that sage spoke truthfully to the king: "It will surely be as you fear; he will attain perfect enlightenment." Having comforted the hearts of the king and his retinue, By his own spiritual power, he soared through the sky and departed far away. Then King Śuddhodana, seeing his son's extraordinary marks, And hearing Asita's definitive, truthful words, Felt deep reverence for his son, treasuring and constantly thinking of him. He granted a great amnesty throughout the land; all prisoners were released. According to the world's customs for a newborn, all appropriate rites were performed, Following the various treatises and methods, everything was done completely. When the child was ten days old, with hearts at ease and peaceful, They made offerings widely to all the gods, and gave generously to those on the Path. To monks and Brahmins they requested blessings and prayers for good fortune. They gave gifts to all the ministers, and to the poor throughout the country. Villages, cities, maidens, cattle, horses, elephants, wealth, and money— To each according to their needs, everything was provided. Choosing an auspicious time through divination, they moved the child back to the palace. Two meals, white and pure ivory, a carriage adorned with the seven treasures, With variegated pearls and netting, shining with extreme brilliance and luster. The queen held the prince, paying reverence to the gods on all sides. Then she ascended the jeweled carriage, with the host of maidens following in attendance. The king with all his ministers and people, everyone formed the procession. Like Lord Śakra surrounded by the host of gods, Like Maheśvara when his six-faced son was born. They prepared all kinds of provisions, offerings, and requests for blessings. Now that the king had borne a prince, they prepared provisions in the same way. When Vaiśravaṇa bore Nalakūbara, All the gods were greatly delighted. Now that the king had borne a prince, in the city of Kapilavastu, All the people rejoiced in the same way.