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Jataka Stories
Romaka Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a pigeon. He and the flock he led fed around an ascetic’s forest hut, and visited him from time to time to hear his wise words. After the ascetic had lived there for fifty years, the villagers served him a meal of…
Siri Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once an ascetic who lived alone in the Himalayas. One time he went down to a city to get salt and seasoning. While out on a morning alms round, the Bodhisatta met a mahout who was very impressed by his demeanor and began…
Kulavaka Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a young brahmin in a small village. He spent his life doing good deeds and always kept the five precepts. The other men of the village used to get drunk and commit murder and other crimes. But inspired by the…
Munika Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once an ox who, along with his younger brother, was owned by a village family. One day a daughter got engaged and the family began to fatten up their pig to serve at her wedding. The young ox noticed that the pig was…
Nandivisala Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once an ox. His owner treated him like a member of his family and always fed him the best rice. As a result, the Bodhisatta grew up exceptionally strong and completely loyal. He appreciated being so well cared for and one…
Abhinha Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a king’s advisor. One of the king’s elephants was best friends with one of the mahout’s dogs. They always ate together and the dog would swing on the elephant’s trunk.
One day a villager bought the dog and took it…
Mahilamukha Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a king’s advisor. The king’s state elephant was good-natured and never hurt anybody. One night a murderous band of thieves sat down outside the elephant’s stall to discuss their plans. They returned nightly to plan…
Tittha Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a king’s advisor. One day someone washed an ordinary horse in the regular bathing spot of the king’s warhorse. Later, when the mighty thoroughbred’s caretaker took it to bathe, it would not get in the water and…
Ajanna Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a king’s warhorse, and he lived a life far more luxurious than most humans. His food was served in a golden dish worth one hundred thousand coins and his stall was perfumed with the four odors and decorated with…
Satapatta Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a thief. A man had died before recovering a loan of one thousand coins. Later, as this man’s wife lay on her deathbed, she told her son to go collect the debt. And just after he picked up the money, his mother died.…