Stories
Jataka Tales
The Jataka tales are a treasury of ancient stories recounting the Buddha’s previous lives across many rebirths, as humans, animals, kings, and wanderers. In each life, the being who would one day become the Gautama Buddha gradually perfected the virtues needed for full awakening. These tales have been told and retold across Asia for over two thousand years, carved into temple walls, painted across cave ceilings, and sung around fires at night. They are stories about wisdom and generosity, about sacrifice and consequence, and about the long, patient journey of a soul toward the light.
-
The Hare Jataka
Long ago, in the forests of a distant land, there lived a hare, small, quick-eyed, and thoughtful beyond his size. This hare was the Bodhisattva, and though he lived a simple animal life, he spent his days reflecting on virtue and on what it meant to give.
-
The Mahosatha Jataka
In a life not far removed from his final awakening, the Bodhisattva was born as Mahosatha, a boy of such extraordinary intelligence that his wisdom was apparent from the very day of his birth.
-
The Vessantara Jataka
Of all the Jataka tales, the story of Prince Vessantara is the greatest and the last, the final life before the being who would become the Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama.
