Identify the purported miraculous events of the Buddha’s conception & birth.

The purported miraculous events of the Buddha’s conception and birth are deeply embedded in Buddhist tradition and have their source in the Pali canon. According to this account, Siddhartha Gautama was born as a result of a miraculous conception, when his mother Maya became pregnant after she dreamed that a white elephant with six tusks entered her right side. After giving birth to him in Lumbini grove, Maya passed away seven days after his birth.

His father Suddhodana then raised Siddhartha under great protection, due to an old prophecy which stated that the prince would either become a great ruler or forsake all worldly comforts and take up the path of an ascetic monk. In keeping with this prophecy, at age 29 he left his royal palace without returning and embarked on a spiritual journey for enlightenment, thus rejecting a life of luxury for one dedicated towards spiritual attainment.

The evening before he left home for his quest to find enlightenment, many different miracles occured at once: sweet rain descended from heaven; divine music filled the air; lights shone brightly from every direction like stars; celestial flowers showered down from above; two dragons flew out of the lake singing hymns praising Gautama’s perfections; celestial chariots arrived bearing gods welcoming him on his journey; various birds came offering food and other gifts while others circled around him chanting praises. All these miraculous events occurred simultaneously amidst great joyous celebration by both humans and gods alike who heralded its significance as they exalted in jubilation “Arahant is born!”