Synopses & Reviews
One of the most important texts in the literature of Buddhism, this collection contains 47 stories that celebrate the previous lives of the Buddha, each offering fascinating insights into the mind and heart of Buddhism. Translated and edited by a distinguished Western scholar of Buddhism.
Synopsis
One of the most important texts in the literature of Buddhism, the J taka contains stories that celebrate the previous lives of the Buddha. The future Buddha may appear in these "j takas" as a king, an outcast, a god, an elephant but in whatever form he takes, he exhibits some virtue which the tale then proceeds to inculcate in the reader.
This superb selection of 47 stories of the Buddha among them "The Bar of Gold J taka," "The King's Lesson J taka," "The Gem-Thief J taka," and "The Great Ape J taka" are filled with humor, pathos, and narrative appeal that have endeared them to generations of Buddhists and to audiences around the world. Many are directly related to ancient Indian folklore and top the traditional stories and myths of other cultures, among them the beast fables of Aesop. Many have been the subject of countless works of Buddhist art.
Although the settings of the stories are often imaginary, they offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Buddhism and Buddhist culture and society. This collection has been edited and translated by one of the most distinguished Western scholars of Buddhism, Caroline A. F. Rhys Davids, who has contributed a lively introductory essay to these landmarks of folk literature."
Synopsis
One of the most important texts in the literature of Buddhism, this collection contains 47 stories that celebrate the previous lives of the Buddha, each offering fascinating insights into the mind and heart of Buddhism. Translated and edited by a distinguished Western scholar of Buddhism.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Sandy Road Jataka (No. 2)
The Divine Nature Jataka (No. 6)
The Faggot-Bringer Jataka (No. 7)
The Banyan-Deer Jataka (No. 12)
The Dead Men's Food Jataka (No. 18)
The Cane-Drinking Jataka (No. 20)
The Antelope Jataka (No. 21)
The Bhoja-Thoroughbred Jataka (No. 23)
The Nestling Jataka (No. 31)
The Mosquito Jataka (No. 44)
The Park-Spoiling Jataka (No. 46)
The Unwise Folk Jataka (No. 50)
The Great Silava-King Jataka (No. 51)
The Bar of Gold Jataka (No. 56)
The Monkey-Lord Jataka (No. 57)
The Blindfold Jataka (No. 62)
The Hard-to-know Jataka (No. 64)
The Apronfull Jataka (No. 67)
The Saketa Jataka (Nos. 68 and 237)
The Gate of Weal Jataka (No. 84)
The Kings Lesson Jataka (No. 151)
The Gagga Jataka (No. 155)
The Vulture Jataka (No. 164)
The Falcon Jataka (No. 168)
The Advantage of Morality Jataka (No. 190)
The Gem-Theif Jataka (No. 194)
The Cloudhorse Jataka (No. 196)
The Shoes Jataka (No. 231)
The One-Course Jataka (No. 238)
The Tawny King Jataka (No.240)
The Guttila Jataka (No.243)
The Judis-Tree Jataka (No. 248)
The Decayed Well Jataka (No. 256)
The Crab Jataka (No. 267)
The Hundred-Feathered Jataka (No. 279)
The Sujata Jataka (No. 306)
The Hare Jataka (No. 316)
The Kanavera and Indriya Jataka (Nos.318 and 423)
The Sujata (well-born) Jataka (No. 352)
The Karandiya Jataka (No. 356)
The Great Ape Jataka (No. 407)
The Chanda-Fairy Jataka (No. 485)
The Ummadanti Jataka (No. 527)
The Six(-rayed) Tusker Jataka (No.514)
The Kusa Jataka (No. 531)
The Sama Jataka (No. 540)
The Nimi Jataka (No. 541)
Index