Author: Francis & Thomas
Publisher: Jaico Books
ISBN: 9788172240947
Back Cover text
The Jataka tales are one of the greatest instances of folk literature that India has produced. Though used as vehicles of Buddhist ethical teaching, these stories are mostly of secular origin and highlight the moral pitfalls that can befall an individual in everyday life. The stories are purported to be told by the Buddha in various incarnations in human and animal form as the Boddhisattva. At the end of each story he identifies the role that he himself played, as well as those of others, particularly his disciples. A great way of not only learning about Indian culture, but also how to keep to the straight and narrow ethical path!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jataka stories may seem a myth, children stories, or even fictional (even to some Buddhists). Its central-focused main character is non-other but the Buddha himself, Siddhartha Gautama. Some may think that this is way to ridicules as how come Buddha always the hero?
You see, to be a Buddha is not an easy path. One must have great determination and great vows that following the same compassion path in many incarnations only one can attain Buddhahood. This is far way too complicated to explain reincarnation. But to Buddha, through his good deeds and great vows, he went through all his previous life either as human or animals, and learned something in that live, died, and reincarnate and the cycles goes on. Until he fulfill all the compassion acts, accumulated knowledge and wisdom, then only in his last reincarnate state, the last life, he attained Buddhahood which the story we know today, as how the prince become Buddha.
That is why, some readers may understand after reading the Jataka's tales, why to become a Buddha is not an easy path, while for some may think that reading the Jataka's stories is to know more about the ancient Indian's cultures and even some may found it just for entertainment or for fun readings. Anyway, a story is still a story, we never know what actually happens back in 2500 years ago. So it up to you to judge the stories appears in the book.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On my coming post, I will gather and blog more info about the history of Buddhism, the life of the Buddha, and the Dhamma.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Till then, enjoy your weekend and may the Metta be with you!!
Where can you get the book
MPH Bookstores
No comments:
Post a Comment