Cultural Beliefs and Practices: A Reflection on Queen Maya’s Journey

Introduction:

The story of Queen Maya, the mother of Siddhartha Gautama (later known as the Buddha), offers a fascinating glimpse into the realm of cultural beliefs and practices in ancient India. Queen Maya’s pregnancy, her dream, and her decision to return to her maternal hometown for childbirth raise thought-provoking questions about the role of tradition and the potential consequences of following customs without wisdom. In this essay, we will explore Queen Maya’s advanced maternal age, the significance of her journey, and the broader implications of cultural beliefs and practices.

1. Queen Maya’s unspoken story

The fact that Queen Maya conceived Siddhartha at the age of around 50 stands out as a significant aspect of this narrative. In an era where maternal healthcare was considerably less advanced, the choice to bear a child at such an age can be considered truly courageous.

As we discussed in the previous chapter, Queen Maya and King Suddhodana were likely under considerable societal pressure to produce an heir. Consequently, the news of her pregnancy brought immense relief to the royal couple. Culturally, couples who were unable to conceive were often seen as unfortunate or lacking in blessings. We can only imagine the unspoken social stigma endured by this infertile royal couple over the years.

During ancient times, infertility was typically attributed to women, and a woman was also deemed unfortunate if she couldn’t give birth to a male heir. This situation must have caused Queen Maya a great deal of stress. Considering the geographical proximity between Queen Maya’s maternal homeland and Kapilavastu (King Suddhodana’s domain), it’s highly likely that their marriage was politically motivated.

It may come as a surprise to newcomers to Buddhism that Queen Maya’s biological sister, Mahāpajāpatī, was also married to King Suddhodana. In essence, both sisters were married to the same man. This situation could have arisen due to Queen Maya’s inability to conceive a child initially. Consequently, this matrimonial arrangement kept the two countries connected through royal marriage, even though Queen Maya was initially unable to have children.

In a surprising twist to the story, Mahāpajāpatī also experienced infertility issues until much later in her life. Some people speculate that Mahāpajāpatī remained loyal to her elder sister and refrained from consummating her marriage with the King until Queen Maya’s pregnancy or death. Others believe that King Suddhodana was deeply in love with Queen Maya. However, historical records do not provide specific details, leaving us to imagine the events that transpired during that time.

Discussion Points:

1. The stress associated with meeting social approval
2. How people in power deal with public opinions.
3. The suffering faced by women in a society that embraces patriarchal values.

2. The Journey to the Maternal Hometown:

Queen Maya’s choice to return to her maternal hometown for the birth of her child reveals the profound influence of cultural beliefs and traditions. Despite the challenges and inconveniences associated with ancient modes of transportation, she made the deliberate decision to honor this tradition.

The pivotal question arises: why did she make this last-minute journey when she was approaching her due date? In accordance with tradition, pregnant women would embark on this journey during their third month of pregnancy. Upon arrival, their parents and close family members would orchestrate a grand celebration in their honor, showering them with delectable cuisine, festivities, and maternal care until the baby’s arrival.

It’s important to recognize that the stigma of infertility extended not only to the woman herself but also to her parents. Therefore, the ability to conceive a child was indeed a cause for jubilation. An infertile woman would lead the groom’s family to accuse her parent of providing a “defective” bride for marriage.

When viewed through this lens, the significance of this cultural practice becomes clear. Additionally, Queen Maya likely longed for the company of her immediate family. Given her elevated social status, it is improbable that she had the opportunity to visit her parents or close relatives since her marriage. Unfortunately, her eagerly anticipated “reunion” did not occur until she successfully conceived at age 50.

Conversely, it is conceivable that the Shakyan community, protective of their pregnant queen, recognized the risks associated with her advanced age and may have initially discouraged her from undertaking the journey during the early stages of her pregnancy.

Historical records provide only sparse details, leaving much to speculation regarding the events behind the scenes. What we do know is that Queen Maya’s journey back to her hometown was documented as having received King Suddhodana’s consent. This seems to suggest a dynamic of mutual love and respect, as King Suddhodana made extensive arrangements to facilitate his beloved Queen’s journey home.

Discussion Points:

1. The significance of cultural beliefs and our daily decision-making process.
2. Using Queen Maya’s story as a basis, discuss the context, pros and cons of cultural practices
3. Culture is a living legacy of humanity. It is constantly evolving and can also be exported or adopted by foreigners. A tragic incident occurred during the Halloween Party at Itaewon, South Korea. Discuss the attraction of foreign culture in our society today, not forgetting to consider contemporary culture too.

3. Responsible Observance of Cultural Beliefs

The story and discussion emphasizes the importance of making informed and wise choices when it comes to cultural beliefs and practices. Blind adherence, without considering the consequences, can lead to unintended harm to oneself, others, or the environment.

Sometimes, people are attracted to cultural practices without understanding their origin or the significance behind them.

As Buddhism spreads across the world, it also brings cultural baggages along with it. In that manner, we can observe non-Chinese embracing Chinese culture along with Han Buddhism or non-Tibetan embracing Tibetan culture along with Tibetan Buddhism. I am not saying this is bad. The ability to embrace a foreign culture is worth celebrating because it means embracing diversity.

However, we cannot lose sanity and rationality while embracing foreign cultures. For example, while it is common to create a huge bonfire in the open Tibetan landscape for celebration and religious observance, recreating something of that scale to “respect” the Deity can become a nuisance or fire hazard in a city landscape?

While it is soothing to hear a huge temple bell tolling on the mountainous Chinese peaks, having a Buddhist Centre tolling a similar bell next to your apartment block can be nerve-wracking, especially at 5 am in the morning.

Discussion Points:

1. The need for critical thinking and discernment when following cultural practices.
2. Case studies highlighting the unintended consequences of certain customs.
3. The role of education and awareness in promoting responsible observance of cultural beliefs.

Conclusion: The story of Queen Maya’s journey and her adherence to cultural traditions serves as a poignant reminder of the complexity surrounding cultural beliefs and practices. While these traditions are often cherished and considered precious, it is essential to approach them with wisdom, respect, and a critical eye. Blind adherence driven by fear and ignorance can lead to unintended consequences, and as a society, we must strike a balance between preserving our cultural heritage and making informed choices that benefit both ourselves and our world.

Again, I hope this study guide will come in handy for anyone who wishes to hold a Dharma Discussion Group.

May all be well and happy.