What are the Jataka Tales?

In all Buddhist countries the Jataka tales were the major sources for developing the character of the people. They are the teachings of the Buddha, they are descriptions of the life forms he took one before entering this world as the Enlightened One. Jataka Tales were used widely in preaching by monks and lay preachers. Even the Lor Buddha used these stories to illustrate the truth of his teachings and from him his followers learned them and passed them into popular use in society.

By reading these stories, children and adults can develop their knowledge and learn how to face the difficult experiences of modern life. They can easily develop human values and good qualities like patience, forbearance, tolerance and the four sublime states of mind - loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. The major purpose of these stories is to develop the moral and ethical values of the readers. Without them, people cannot be peaceful and happy in their hearts and minds. And the reader will find that these values are very different from those of the wider, violently acquisitive, ego-based society.

Objective

After the completion of Seminar II, The Jataka Tales can reinforce the ideas of karma, Vipaka and idea of birth and rebirth.

link for Jataka Tales

Activity

The Jakata Tales are very accessable through the web, local libraries and bookstores. Most stories are a page or less, and easy to read. Have students select one of the Jataka Tales from the link above, read the story and then answer the questions below.

1. Identify the principle characters of the story. Who or what is causing the action or the event to unfold?

2. What living form has the Buddha taken on in this story?

3. What is the lesson or moral teaching in this story?