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Jataka Stories
Godha Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a lizard. One day an ascetic moved into the forest near the Bodhisatta’s home. Assuming he was a proper holy man, the Bodhisatta visited the ascetic regularly to pay respect. One time a supporter of the ascetic gave…
Daddara Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a naga. His father was a wise naga king and his younger brother was cruel and hot-headed, always getting in trouble. One time after the brother struck some female nagas, his father got so angry he ordered him…
Mahajanaka Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a widowed queen’s son. Various people told King Aritthajanaka that his younger brother, Polajanaka, planned to kill him, so he had him imprisoned. But Polajanaka was pure of heart and had no ill intent toward his…
Latukika Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once an elephant. He lived in the Himalayas, and a herd of eighty thousand followed him as their leader. A quail laid her eggs in their feeding ground and the hatchlings had just broken out of their shells when the herd…
Nimi Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a king. He had previously reigned with wisdom and virtue for eighty-four thousand years as King Makhadeva, as told in the Makhadeva Jataka (#9). Before taking the throne, he had served as prince and viceroy, each for…
Anta Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy living in a castor-oil tree. One day a crow perched in his tree saw a jackal eating an ox carcass down below and hoped that with a bit of flattery the jackal would share some of the flesh. “You look like…
Losaka Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a teacher, famed across the land. Long before this, there was a virtuous monk in a village who was supported by a wealthy landowner. One day an arahant arrived in the village, and the landowner was so impressed by…
Palasa Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy. A poor man began tending the Bodhisatta’s Judas tree: sweeping the ground below it; pulling grass around its roots; and offering flowers, perfumes, and incense. Every day he greeted the tree and wished…
Udumbara Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy. During the rainy season, a large monkey, who was wet and miserable, saw a small monkey sitting comfortably at the mouth of its cave home. The large monkey wanted the cave for itself, so it puffed up its…
Baveru Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a peacock. Some merchants sailed to a kingdom that had no birds. The people there saw a crow perched on the ship’s mast and were enchanted by its beauty, so they bought it for one hundred coins and kept it in a…