The Life of the Buddha 03 Queen Maya was full-term pregnant, she asked King Suddhodana on a late spring full moon day to go outing in Lumbini Garden before childbirth at her parents'. The king agreed and escorted. Soon in Lumbini, under a lush Asoka tree, she gave birth smoothly. Surprisingly, she felt no distress and the newborn prince was calm, not crying. The sky shone, flowers bloomed, and birds sang. The prince walked seven steps and said :"This is my last birth in the human world. I was born in the human world to attain Buddhahood. I am the greatest and most noble enlightened one among humans, and I will widely rescue all sentient beings." Then, two streams of pure water poured down to bathe him, and many heavenly beings came to praise the future Buddha.
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