Response A
1All stories indicate that the Buddha was unique. There are many versions of ‘mythical’ occurrences associated with the birth of the Buddha that are very important.
2Denise Cush observes that: "from the commentary and legends we learn that...at the time of his conception ten months earlier, Maya dreamed that a white elephant entered her womb." Therefore Buddha was born from her side, possibly indicating karmic purity, and this occurred beneath a tree
3Peter Harvey states: "the birth of Gotama under a tree fits the pattern of other key events in his life... This suggests his liking for simple natural environments where he could be in harmony with all forms of life."
4Also, the baby immediately stood up and took seven paces, turned to all corners of the universe and announced that he was the most enlightened being in the world and that he would have no more rebirths.
5However, the stories are often argued to be just made up and not important. The scholar Walpola Rahula saw Buddhism as rational and any supernatural parts were unimportant. Another view is that the teachings are much more important such as the Four Noble Truths.