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Buddha Shakyamuni

The Dream

Artefact Description

This Gandhara relief depicts the bedchamber of Queen Mahamaya. There are four female attendants and guards surrounding Queen Mahamaya, who is lying asleep on the couch, with her head slightly raised on a pillow. One guard is holding a spear at the head of her bed, while another is holding a flywhisk at the foot. Two attendants wait by her side. There is another young female standing at the palace door at far right, presumably a young lady-in-waiting.

 

Originally, the elephant would have been visible; however, due to the ravages of time and the elements, the elephant was defaced and hence, not evident in this relief, although you can still discern its outline at the top right-hand corner.

Historical Background

Dream of Queen Mahamaya (Queen Maya) tells the miraculous conception of Buddha Shakyamuni's final rebirth and entrance into this world.

 

Queen Mahamaya was the chief queen of King Suddhodana of Kapilavastu.3 p68, p73

 

It was full moon night of Asalha month, 624 BCE that Queen Mahamaya had a vivid dream.2 p14

 

In the dream, there were four devas (heavenly deities) who carried her away and bathed her in the legendary divine pond Anotatta.2 p14 After bathing her, the devas clothed her in heavenly clothes, anointed her with perfumes, and bedecked her with divine flowers. She was resting in a golden mansion.2 p14, 4 fig 94

 

Soon after, there appeared a six-tusked elephant descending from heaven, carrying a white lotus in its trunk. It went around her three times and entered her womb through her right side.2 p14, 1 p96

 

The next morning, Queen Mahamaya told King Suddhodana about the dream, knowing she had been delivered an important message, as a six-tusked elephant is a symbol of greatness.

 

The king summoned sixty-four Brahman astrologers to interpret the dream.3 p68 The wise men told the king that the devas have chosen his queen as the mother of the Purest-One and the child will become a very great being.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum Shakyamuni Similar Artefacts

Artefact Description

This gold leaf on copper panel is the initial trial panel of the 'Eight Aspects of Buddha's Life'- panels found at the base of the Golden Sacred Relic Buddha Tooth Stupa, located on the 4th floor of the Temple. This was crafted by Shanghai Kangyu Enterprise.

 

The scene of 'Dream of Queen Maya' is elaborated with vivid depictions of Queen Mahamaya's female attendants and guards, against the backdrop of the royal palace.

 

At the top left-hand corner, situated at the opening of the palace columns, a floating figure of an elephant, with 6 elongated tusks twirled and stretched across the scene towards Queen Mahamaya.

 

Upon closer inspection, you will see Bodhisattva Shakyamuni seated on a lotus throne atop the elephant, in Anjali mudra where the palms are pressed together, as a sign of respectful greeting.

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Bibliography:

  1. The Lalita Vistara, English Translation by R. L. Mitra, 1998, ISBN 81-7030-576-4
  2. Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero, Life of The Buddha In Gandhara Art, 2006, ISBN 981-05-7045-7
  3. Department of Tourism, Government of India, Walking with the Buddha, 2nd edition 2004, ISBN 81-87780-24-X
  4. Sir John Marshall, The Buddhist Art of Gandara, 3rd edition 2008, ISBN 978-81-215-0967-1
  5. Indian Museum, Kolkata, The Way of The Buddha, reprint 2005

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