The Legend of Buddha’s Birth

Dharma talk by Sosan Theresa Flynn, Sunday, April 16, 2017.

On the occasion of Buddha’s birthday, Sosa tells us the fantastic story of Buddha’s birth. His mother Maya is made pregnant by a 6-tusked white elephant and gives birth painlessly through her side. If believing this helps your practice she says, go right ahead. For others it may hinder the practice. She details that the story may have its roots in Hinduism. The stories are a way of explaining the unexplainable such as “How is it that we are alive?” and “How is it that we keep breathing from birth to death?” This is a short dharma talk in order to make time for the celebration that followed.