Who was Queen Maya and what was her relationship to King Śuddhodana?
Queen Maya was the daughter of Devadaha, a king who ruled a neighboring territory. She became the wife of King Śuddhodana, making her Queen of Shakya. The couple were cousins because Maya's father was Śuddhodana's uncle.
When did Queen Maya conceive Siddhartha Gautama according to legend?
Māyā gave birth approximately 563 BCE following a vivid dream on one full moon night. The pregnancy lasted ten lunar months before the child arrived after the white elephant entered her womb through her right side.
Where did Queen Maya die and where was she reborn in Buddhist tradition?
Most Buddhist literature holds that Queen Māyā died seven days after the Buddha's birth. She was reborn as a male deva named Māyādevaputta in Tusita heaven or Tāvatiñsa instead.
Why did Queen Maya not raise her son Siddhartha Gautama?
Queen Māyā died seven days after the Buddha's birth which is a pattern for all mothers of Buddhas in the tradition. Her sister Prajāpatī became the child's foster mother immediately after death so Maya did not raise her son.
How long did the Buddha visit his mother in heaven after his enlightenment?
Seven years after the Buddha's enlightenment he visited his mother in heaven for three months during which he taught the Dharma. He preached the Abhidharma specifically to her while she resided in Tavatimsa Heaven.