法苑珠林 9.9

9.9

As the Lalitavistara says: When the prince had completed ten months and was about to be born, there first appeared thirty-two auspicious signs: 1. Trees in the rear garden naturally bore fruit. 2. Blue lotus flowers as large as chariot wheels grew on dry land. 3. Withered trees on dry land all sprouted flowers and leaves. 4. Devas brought an openwork chariot made of the seven jewels. 5. Twenty thousand treasure vaults in the earth opened of themselves. 6. Famed incenses and fine fragrances spread far and wide. 7. Five hundred white lions emerged from the Snow Mountains and stood arrayed at the city gates without causing harm. 8. Five hundred young white elephants stood arrayed before the palace. 9. Devas caused a fine, fragrant, pure moisture to rain on all four sides. 10. In the royal palace, natural springs and food of a hundred flavours arose of themselves to supply all who were thirsty and hungry. 11. Nāga maidens stayed suspended in empty space, displaying half of their bodies. 12. Ten thousand celestial maidens holding peacock feather dusters appeared atop the palace walls. 13. Celestial maidens holding ten thousand golden vases filled with ambrosia stayed in empty space. 14. Ten thousand celestial maidens, holding ten thousand vases in their hands, all filled with fragrant water, walked and stayed in empty space. 15. Ten thousand celestial maidens holding banners and canopies stayed and attended him. 16. Celestial maidens arrayed themselves in ranks and played hundreds of thousands of musical pieces, which harmonized of themselves in empty space. 17. The four great rivers and streams became clear and ceased to flow. 18. The palaces of the sun and moon stood still and did not advance. 19. The constellation Puṣya descended to attend, with various stars surrounding it as an escort. 20. An openwork jewel canopy spread universally over the royal palace. 21. Bright moon mani pearls were suspended in the palace halls, shining brilliantly. 22. The lamps and fires in the palace no longer shone. 23. Baskets of robes and quilts were spread upon clothes racks. 24. Rare gems, necklaces, and all treasure vaults manifested of themselves. 25. Venomous insects hid away, and auspicious birds sang propitiously. 26. The hells all ceased their tortures, and severe pain was halted. 27. The earth shook greatly, and hills and mounds became flat. 28. The crossroads and lanes became level and smooth, scattered with flowers. 29. Deep pits and trenches all became flat. 30. Fishermen and hunters of hostile and evil mind suddenly gave rise to thoughts of loving-kindness. 31. Pregnant women within the borders all gave birth to males; those who were deaf, blind, mute, crippled, or suffering from the hundred ailments were all cured. 32. All tree spirits appeared with half of their bodies, bowing their heads in reverent attendance. These are the thirty-two omens. At this time, everyone far and near marveled at these wonders and praised them as unprecedented.