Page:An analysis of religious belief (1877).djvu/228

 "She then trod on a toe-print made by God, and was moved, In the large place where she rested. She became pregnant, she dwelt retired; She gave birth to, and nourished [a son], Who was How-tseih."

His mode of coming into the world was peculiar too:—

"When she had fulfilled her months Her first-born son [came forth] like a lamb. There was no bursting, nor rending; No injury, no hurt:— Showing how wonderful he would be. Did not God give her the comfort? Had he not accepted her pure offering and sacrifice, So that thus easily she brought forth her son?"

The gestation of the Buddha was in many ways miraculous. He entered the womb of his mother by a voluntary act, resigning his abode in heaven for the purpose. At the time of his descent upon earth Mâyâ Dêvi dreamt that a white elephant of singular beauty had entered into her, a dream which portended the future greatness of the child (R. T. R. P., vol. ii. p. 61). During the time of his remaining in the womb, his body, which was visible both to his mother and to others, had a resplendent and glorious appearance. "Mâyâ the queen, during the time that Boddhisattva remained in the womb of his mother, did not feel her body heavy, but on the contrary light, at ease and in comfort, and felt no pain in her entrails. She was nowise tormented by the desires of passion, nor by disgust, nor by trouble, and had no irresolution against desire, no irresolution against the