Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes from the Jataka Tales (Genre of Buddhist Literature)

The Jātakas, “birth stories” are a popular genre of Buddhist (and Hindu and Jaina) literature that comprises of some 547 narrative accounts of the former lives of the Buddha-to-be on his Bodhisatta path. In the vein of the tradition of Aesop or the later Jean de La Fontaine in Europe, most of the jātakas are animal fables with related moral teachings.

Each jātaka tale illustrates how the Bodhisatta cultivated various virtues and qualities that eventually factored in his attainment of awakening (bodhi,) at which point he became a Buddha. In life after life, the Bodhisatta is portrayed as an exemplary individual who embodies such virtues as wisdom, prudence, compassion, and ascetic detachment.

The largest and most recognized collection of jātaka stories is the 547 titles in the Jātakatthavaṇṇanā. Some of these 547 have no real story, and some stories repeat under multiple titles. Besides, there are many jātakas in the form of images, frequently without clear textual matches.

The jātaka tales emphasize the Hindu-Buddhist doctrine of karma; according to this law of causality, present events can be explained by virtuous deeds and bad deeds of the past. Thus, a Bodhisatta becomes the superior being he has produced through his precedent righteous actions.

The jātaka corpus is consists entirely of short verses, which are supplemented by prose jātakaṭṭhakathā commentaries that narrate the relevant stories.

The myths and legends that comprise the jātaka literature have developed over the centuries. Some of the tales are Buddhist in origin. Some are abstracted from prevalent folklore—with the protagonist becoming the Bodhisatta and the other characters as members of the Buddha’s inner circle in a former life.

Throughout history, the jātaka tales have played a principal role in the propagation of Buddhist teachings. They are the focal point of Buddhist sermons, customs, festivals, spiritual art, and religious performances. As with religious parables, jātakas are intended to disseminate Buddhist teachings amongst the common mass so that jātakas’ principles may elevate physical and mental faculties in their day-to-day affairs and their lives after that.

jātaka stories have been depicted on Buddhist monuments since the first century BCE. In addition to the carvings and engravings, mural paintings of the stories are found in cave temples, such as those at Ajanta in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The ritual of illustrating the Buddha’s past lives at sacred sites continued as Buddhism spread out of India, and the stories remain a popular subject for illustration to this day.

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by The Jataka Tales

If you desire to do something pleasing to me, then desist from hunting forever! The poor poor beasts of the forest, being … dull of intellect, are worthy of pity for this very reason.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

I cannot have pleasure while another grieves and I have power to help him.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

How indifferent he was to his own welfare! How intolerant of the suffering of others.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Root out the love of self.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Almsgiving, it is said, constitutes the value of riches.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

‘Tis out of mercy, not with the desire of gain, that the virtuous take care of a person in distress, nor do they mind whether the other understands this or not.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

With every desire to do good, the ignorant and foolish only succeed in doing harm…. ‘Tis knowledge crowns endeavor with success.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

To a righteous man death must bring gladness. For no fear of mishap exists for him who is devoted to a holy life.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

The fool thinks himself alone and commits sin. But I know of no lonely place at all…. Of a bad action my “Self” is a witness far more sharp-sighted than any other person.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

He knew not the art of hypocrisy.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

This king felt the weal and the woe of his subjects as his own.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Always give in charity to people of good conduct.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

It is not as a means of procuring my own happiness that I give in charity, but I love charity that I may do good to the world.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

If they may cause by it the happiness of others, even pain is highly esteemed by the righteous, as if it were gain.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

The virtuous retain in their mind the good done to them, whereas the evil they experience drops from their mind, like water from a lotus-petal.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Look with friendship … on the evil and on the good.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Always intent on bringing about the good and the happiness of others.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Unselfishness, true, and self-control.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

He identified himself with all beings.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

How should I be capable of leaving thee in thy calamity?.. Whatever fate may be thine I am pleased with it.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

You will generously follow the impulse of pity, I hope.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

There is no such thing as secrecy in wrongdoing.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Now, therefore, it behooves me to examine into my faults; and if I find anything wrong in me, to put it away, and practice virtue only.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

The virtuous (when injured) grieve not so much for their own pain as for the loss of happiness incurred by their injurers.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Worship consists in fulfilling the design (of the person honored), not in offerings of perfumes, garlands, and the like.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Like food besmeared with poison, I abhor such happiness as is tainted with unrighteousness.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

Who that clings to Righteousness should be in fear of death?
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

You do not well enticing me to a sinful act. And what you say, that “nobody else will know of it” – will it be less sinful for this reason?
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

The wise firmly believe that in Mercy the whole of Righteousness is contained. What virtue … does there exist which is not the consequence of Mercy?
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

No fear has any one of me; neither have I fear of any one: in my good-will to all I trust.
The Jataka Tales
Topics: Buddhism

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