法苑珠林 9.7

9.7

As the Sūtra on the Deeds of the Buddha's Past Lives says: At that time, the Bodhisattva's holy mother Māyā had been pregnant with the Bodhisattva for nearly ten months and was on the verge of giving birth. At that time, Elder Suprabuddha, the father of the Great Queen Māyā, sent a messenger to King Śuddhodana in Kapilavastu. (It is also said that the queen's father was named Subuddhi.) He addressed the Great King, saying: 'As I know, my daughter Queen Māyā conceals a holy fetus of great majestic virtue. If she gives birth, my daughter's life will be short and must soon end. I intend to welcome my daughter Māyā back to my abode to stay in Lumbinī, to take pleasure together and fulfill our feelings as father and child. I only pray that the Great King will create no impediment, but will deign to have pity and send my daughter here. As soon as the birth in my home is completed, I will send her back.' When King Śuddhodana heard Suprabuddha's messenger speak these words, he immediately ordered the officials to level and repair the road between the city of Kapilavastu and the Devadaha River, and to prepare banners, flowers, and various kinds of music, with servants and retinue beyond reckoning, to escort the queen home (and so on, as detailed elsewhere).