Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s1.t1.22

v2.c12.s1.t1.22

Pregnant women had many taboos in ancient time, some of them were scientific and reasonable, but some were superstitious. Pregnant women were forbidden to enter into temples and see Buddhist images, because it was believed that pregnant women were not pure, and it's improper for them to enter into pure land or they feared that their delivery would be affected. Ancient medical science wasn't developed, various kinds of methods were used to hasten child delivery in the case of dystocia. There was a kind of South Sea Potala Panacea Hastening Delivery in Hangzhou in the period of the Public of China, it's said that it was the panacea offered by Avalokitesvara, and pregnant women could deliver children immediately after taking three panaceas in the case of dystocia.