Talking about trees again, many people, Buddhists and non-buddhists alike must have heard about the Bodhi tree where Buddha had sat under, meditated and attained enlightenment. I wonder if people, Buddhists especially, know about the Sal tree.Queen Māyā was said to have given birth to Prince Siddharta in 563 BCE. King Suddhodhana and Queen Maya did not have children for twenty years and when she became pregnant, she returned to her own home to give birth as was required by the custom. On the way, she had taken a walk in a beautiful flower garden in Lumbini. Delighted, she had reached for a branch to take a rest when she gave birth to Prince Siddhārtha who later became the Buddha. I heard the branch had belonged to a Sal tree. Now, I am sure the Sal tree had not been venerated like the Bodhi tree...talk again about some trees being more popular than others!
Queen Maya giving birth to Buddha under the Sal Tree...
Queen Maya giving birth to Buddha under the Sal Tree...
Comments