Queen Maya’s Dream 摩耶夫人的异梦
More than 2,500 years ago, on the Nepalese border of northern India, there lived a benevolent king of the Shakyan clan by the name of Shuddhodana Gautama. He ruled over the Shakyans from his palace in Kapilavastu.
两千五百多年前，释迦族在印度北部山区，建立了一个繁荣的国家——迦毗罗卫国。当时的国王是仁慈爱民的净饭王。
QUEEN MAYA’S DREAM 摩耶夫人的异梦
The king had a beautiful queen called Maya who was loved by the people. One night, Queen Maya had a strange dream in which she saw a white elephant entering her womb through the right side of her body. It was an auspicious sign to her for the white elephant was the symbol of greatness. Then, she knew that she had conceived a child who would be unique. During her pregnancy, she was happy and healthy, and led a pure life befitting one who was to bear such a baby.
The king had a beautiful queen called Maya who was loved by the people. One night, Queen Maya had a strange dream in which she saw a white elephant entering her womb through the right side of her body. It was an auspicious sign to her for the white elephant was the symbol of greatness. Then, she knew that she had conceived a child who would be unique. During her pregnancy, she was happy and healthy, and led a pure life befitting one who was to bear such a baby.
The king and his subjects eagerly awaited the birth of the royal child. It was an ancient Indian custom for a woman to return to her parents’ home for the birth of her child. So when the time came, Queen Maya obtained the king’s consent to leave the palace for her parent’s home. A royal party accompanied the queen’s sedan chair on the long journey. On the way, she stopped at a garden called Lumbini Park, where big, shady trees grew. It was spring and all the flowers were blooming in the park. With her maids around her, she strolled in the grounds, enjoying the beauty of nature. While resting under the shade of a Sala tree, she gave birth to a boy. Everyone around her was delighted at the event. After the birth of the prince, which took place on the day of the full moon in the fifth month of the year, the royal party returned to the palace. King Shuddhodana was filled with joy and there was rejoicing in the palace and throughout the country.
王后摩耶夫人长得端庄美丽，温和贤淑，深得人民爱戴。有一天，她做了个奇异的梦， 梦见一头白象由她的右胁进入胎中。梦后不久，摩耶夫人怀孕了。因为“ 白象” 是“ 伟大” 的象征，所以她想: 自己所怀的孩子，将来一定是不平凡的。怀孕期间，摩耶夫人没有忧郁，也没有烦恼，每天过着幸福快乐的生活。
摩耶夫人怀孕，让净饭王和全国臣民殷切期待着太子的诞生。依照印度的传统习俗，怀孕妇女必须回娘家生产。于是，摩耶夫人在将近临盆时，便辞别了净饭王，乘坐华丽的轿子，在侍从和宫女的簇拥下，出发前往娘家。
途中，大队经过百花怒放的蓝毗尼园，摩耶夫人决定到园里游览一番。过后，大家在无忧树下休息；而就在这充满欢乐的气氛中，悉达多太子诞生了。这一天，正是五月的月圆日。太子的诞生，让净饭王和全国人民非常兴奋，大家热烈地庆祝这个特别的日子。