The Buddha's Mothers' Day (5/10)

Ancient carving of Buddha’s mother Maya found

Isn't there a grammatical error in the title? No, there is not. For it is not the Buddha's mother we are discussing. It is all three of them and therefore this shall be the Buddha's Mothers' Day.

 
Which three? There is, of course, the Buddha's biological birth mother, Queen Maya. She was reborn on earth, gave birth to the Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be), and passed away seven days later. Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Siddhattha Gotama) was adopted, raised, cared for intensely, mothered by her sister Queen Pajapati Gotami, King Suddhodana's co-wife. She for her efforts years later was rewarded with a very rare distinction: she became the world's first Buddhist nun, Ven. Maha Pajapati Gotami. Most Buddhists interested in history or genealogy will know this much, as much as it may come as a surprise to others. But there was a third very important mother figure in the Buddha's life. The texts call here Mata ("Mother").

The story goes that one day as the Buddha was walking in northern India with his attendant Ven. Ananda (his Scythian/Shakyian cousin or possibly son in some traditions), he came by a village. And there sat the elderly "Mata" and "Pitu," mother and father. Seeing the Awakened One, they became overjoyed and started to shout, "Son! Son! After a long time, you finally found time to visit us!"

Ananda became confused because the Buddha did not correct them. He warmly greeted them like a son. They lamented that he had been away so long, leaving them alone, but at least now he was back. Ananda's consternation grew. "What do they mean in calling you 'son,' venerable sir? Surely, your mother is in Kapilavatthu, the Land of the Sakas/Shakyas/Scythians."

Then the Buddha explained that for 500 ("many") lives, these two had been his parents, and indeed this woman many, many times through many rebirths had been his mother.

He taught them, and they became awakened. Therefore, the Buddha offered the greatest thing any son or daughter could do for a mother or father.