Question

What do you know about the Jatakas?

Answer 1

Hint: The word Jataka means ‘birth’ in both Sanskrit and Pali. They were composed between 300 BC and 400 AD.

Complete answer: - They were thought of by the common people but preserved and recorded by the Buddhist monks, as this was integral to the religion’s art and literature later on. They were an interesting insight into folk tradition.
- Some (35)of them were didactic (aiming to dispense morals), and often took on a more morbid tone.
- An interesting fact about these stories is that its facts can be corroborated with physical evidence. For example, many locations mentioned in the story have stupas built there.
- The Buddha when appearing as Bodhisattvas (individuals capable of nirvana but who deflect that in their attempt to empathize with other creatures’ suffering, a term used by the Mahayana sect) depicts various actors from daily life, both non-human and human. Its theme was reincarnation and correspondingly the attainment of Moksha or liberation.
- There exist about 550 stories in total, often varying in length, ranging from novellas to short stories.
- They also have parallels with other significant texts like the Mahabharata and the Panchatantra. It is often regarded as a biography of Gautama Buddha.

Note: These tales aren’t limited to texts but appear as carvings in monuments in Bharhut, Ajanta caves, Goli, Amravati and Sanchi. There are also paintings with references. It also is represented in drama, dance and recitation. It also is of significance in celebrations and holidays in East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia.