Once a peacock, once an actress twenty-four lives of the Bodhisattva from Haribhaṭṭa's Jātakamālā

Written in Kashmir around 400 CE, Haribhatta's Jåtakamåla is a remarkable example of classical Sanskrit literature in a mixture of prose and verse that for centuries was known only in its Tibetan translation. But between 1973 and 2004 a large portion of the Sanskrit original was rediscovered in a number of anonymous manuscripts. With this volume Peter Khoroche offers the most complete translation to date, making almost 80 percent of the work available in English. Haribhatta's Jåtakamålå is a sophisticated and personal adaptation of popular stories, mostly non-Buddhist in origin, all illustrating the future Buddha's single-minded devotion to the good of all creatures, and his desire, no matter what his incarnation—man, woman, peacock, elephant, merchant, or king—to assist others on the path to nirvana. Haribhatta's insight into human and animal behavior, his astonishing eye for the details of landscape, and his fine descriptive powers together make this a unique record of everyday life in ancient India as well as a powerful statement of Buddhist ethics. This translation will be a landmark in the study of Buddhism and of the culture of ancient India. Contents 6 Preface 10 Introduction 12 Prologue 20 1. KING PRABHĀSA. King Prabhāsa vows to become a Buddha 22 2. JUJUBE ISLAND. As the merchant Supriya, the Bodhisattva gains the jewel that grants all wishes 30 3. DHARMAKĀMA. As Dharmakāma, the Bodhisattva barters his life for a wise saying 37 4. THE HARE. As a hare, the Bodhisattva offers his life to feed another 44 5. KING CANDRAPRABHA. As King Candraprabha, the Bodhisattva gives his head to one who begs for it 51 6. RŪPYĀVATĪ. As Rūpyāvatī, the Bodhisattva cuts off her breasts to feed a starving servant-girl 57 7. THE MERCHANT’S SON. As a merchant’s son, the Bodhisattva feeds his body to animals 64 8. KING PADMAKA. As King Padmaka, the Bodhisattva turns into a carp to cure his subjects of disease 71 9. KING BRAHMADATTA. As King Brahmadatta, the Bodhisattva gives away his food ration in time of famine 78 11. THE DEER. As a deer, the Bodhisattva offers himself to the king’s butchers in place of a pregnant doe 84 12. THE PEACOCK. As a peacock, the Bodhisattva saves a queen from adultery 91 14. ŚYĀMA. As Śyāma, the Bodhisattva devotes himself to his blind parents 106 19. THE ELEPHANT. As an elephant, the Bodhisattva helps the hunter who is sent to kill him 115 20. PRINCE CANDRA. As Prince Candra, the Bodhisattva shows forbearance to the minister who wants him killed 122 22. THE ANTELOPE. As an antelope, the Bodhisattva sacrifices his life to save his herd from extinction 131 23. PRINCE KANAKAVARMAN. As Prince Kanakavarman, the Bodhisattva rescues his sister and her lover from the king’s wrath and conquers the goblins who have laid waste a foreign land 140 24. MŪLIKA. As Mūlika, a gatherer of medicinal herbs, the Bodhisattva nurses an ailing Pratyekabuddha 154 25. SUDHANA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESS. As Prince Sudhana, the Bodhisattva undergoes many trials to be reunited with his fairy wife 158 26. JĀJVALIN. As the ascetic Jājvalin, the Bodhisattva finds that a dove has nested on his head while he has been meditating. He waits until her chicks are fully fledged before moving 187 27. KEŚAVA. As Keśava, a doctor, the Bodhisattva cures a madwoman 191 29. NIRUPAMĀ. As Nirupamā, an actress, the Bodhisattva cures an actor of lust 203 32. THE LION. As a lion, the Bodhisattva saves the lives of two little monkeys entrusted to him 209 33. ŚAKRA. As Śakra, lord of the gods, the Bodhisattva resuscitates a dead elephant calf 221 34. ŚYENAKA. As Śyenaka, a king’s minister, the Bodhisattva renounces the world and reforms the king 228 Notes 238 References 254 Written in Kashmir around 400 CE, Haribhatta's Jatakamala is a remarkable example of classical Sanskrit literature in a mixture of prose and verse that for centuries was known only in its Tibetan translation. But between 1973 and 2004 a large portion of the Sanskrit original was rediscovered in a number of anonymous manuscripts. With this volume Peter Khoroche offers the most complete translation to date, making almost eighty per cent of the work available in English. Haribhatta's Jatakamala is a sophisticated and personal adaptation of popular stories, mostly non-Buddhist in origin, all illustrating the future Buddha's single-minded devotion to the good of all creatures, and his desire, no matter what his incarnation man, woman, peacock, elephant, merchant or king to assist others on the path to nirvana. Haribhatta's insight into human and animal behaviour, his astonishing eye for the details of landscape and his fine descriptive powers together make this a unique record of everyday life in ancient India as well as a powerful statement of Buddhist ethics. This translation will be a landmark in the study of Buddhism and of the culture of ancient India Haribhatta's Jåtakamålå is a sophisticated and personal adaptation of popular stories, mostly non-Buddhist in origin, all illustrating the future Buddha's single-minded devotion to the good of all creatures, and his desire, no matter what his incarnation--man, woman, peacock, elephant, merchant, or king--to assist others on the path to nirvana. Haribhatta's insight into human and animal behavior, his astonishing eye for the details of landscape, and his fine descriptive powers together make this a unique record of everyday life in ancient India as well as a powerful statement of Buddhist ethics. This translation will be a landmark in the study of Buddhism and of the culture of ancient India. --Publisher description