The Jatakas: Birth Stories of the Bodhisatta (Penguin Classics)

When my concentrated mind was purified, I directed it to the knowledge of the recollection of past lives' The Buddha on the night of his enlightenment Associated with the living traditions of folk tale, drama and epic, the Jatakas recount the development of the Bodhisatta the being destined to become the present Buddha in his final life not just through the events of one lifetime but of hundreds. Written in Pali, the language of the Theravada Buddhist canon, the Jatakas comprise one of the largest and oldest collections of stories in the world dating from the fifth century BCE to the third century CE. Generations in South and South-East Asia have grown up with these tales. This volume contains twenty-six stories drawn from various ancient sources, and each story reflects one of the ten perfections giving, restraint, renunciation, wisdom, strength, acceptance, truthfulness, resolve, loving kindness and equanimity. A detailed introduction elaborates on the ten perfections, explains the forms of enlightenment as well as the structure, and the historical and geographical contexts of the stories. Sarah Shaw brings to life the teachings of Buddhism for the scholar and lay reader alike. Associated With The Living Traditions Of Folk Tale, Drama And Epic, The Jatakas Recount The Development Of The Bodhisatta - The Being Destined To Become The Present Buddha In His Final Life - Not Just Through The Events Of One Lifetime But Of Hundreds. Written In Pali, The Language Of The Theravada Buddhist Canon, The Jatakas Comprise One Of The Largest And Oldest Collections Of Stories In The World Dating From The Fifth Century Bce To The Third Century Ce. Generations In South And South-east Asia Have Grown Up With These Tales. This Volume Contains Twenty-six Stories Drawn From Various Ancient Sources, And Each Story Reflects One Of The Ten Perfections - Giving, Restraint, Renunciation, Wisdom, Strength, Acceptance, Truthfulness, Resolve, Loving Kindness And Equanimity. A Detailed Introduction Elaborates On The Ten Perfections, Explains The Forms Of Enlightenment As Well As The Structure, And The Historical And Geographical Contexts Of The Stories. -- Book Cover The Far Past: The Bodhisatta Vow And The Ten Perfections -- A True Story -- The Story Of Makhadeva -- The Cane Stalk Story -- The Story Of The Partridge -- The Vedabbha Mantra Story -- The Story Of Five Weapons -- The Story Of The Fish -- The Hair-standing-on-end Story -- The Story Of The Great King Of Glory -- The Story Of More Than A Thousand -- The Story Of The Draining Bucket -- A Rustic Story -- The Kusa Grass Story -- The Cat Story -- The Story Of The Kimusa Tree -- The Story Of The Tortoise -- The Story Of The One Who Taught Forbearance -- The Story Of The Hare -- The Story Of Nandiya The Deer -- The Story Of The Barleymeal Sack -- The Story Of The Monkey King -- The Story Of The Swift Goose -- The Story Of Campeyya -- The Story Of Temiya, The Dumb Cripple -- The Story Of Mhajanaka -- The Story Of Sama -- Further Reading And Bibliography -- Appendix A: The Disciples Of Buddha -- Appendix B: Cosmology -- Appendix C: Indian Sites That Portray Jatakas -- Glossary And Index Of Proper Names. Translated From Pāli By Sarah Shaw. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [311]-320). Written in Pali, the "Jatakas" comprise one of the largest and oldest collections of stories in the world dating from the fifth century BCE to the third century CE. This volume contains 26 stories drawn from various ancient sources. It explains the forms of enlightenment and the historical and geographical contexts of the stories.