3. The Birth of the Great Being

The birth of Prince Siddhattha, as recounted by Venerable Ānanda in the Majjhima Nikāya, Uparipaṇṇāsa, Acchariyabbhūtadhamma Sutta, is described as follows:

“Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this directly from the Blessed One himself:

‘Ānanda, at the very moment the Bodhisatta was born, he placed both feet firmly and evenly upon the earth.

Then, facing north, he took seven steps.

A celestial being held a white parasol over him, and as he walked, he looked in all directions and uttered this fearless proclamation:

I am the foremost in the world.
I am the highest in the world.
I am the most excellent in the world.
This is my final birth.
There will be no more coming to be.

Venerable Sir, I also remember this as one of the marvelous and astounding qualities of the Blessed One.'”