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Jataka Stories
Ayacitabhatta Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy who lived in a banyan tree at the entrance to a village. One day a man promised the Bodhisatta an offering if his venture was successful. When it was, the man sacrificed several animals and took them to…
Matakabhatta Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy who lived near a famous brahmin priest. When it was time to offer a Feast for the Dead, the priest had his students take a goat down to the river to bathe and groom him and feed him a final meal. Nearing…
Maluta Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once an ascetic. He lived in the wilderness at the foot of a mountain, and two friends, a lion and a tiger, lived in a nearby cave. One day the pair argued about the cold. The tiger thought the dark half of the month (the…
Tipallattha-Miga Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once the leader of a herd of deer. One day his sister asked him to teach her son tricks to avoid and escape hunters. They made an appointment and his nephew came right on time and was diligent about his lessons. Soon…
Sattubhasta Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a king’s advisor. One day an old brahmin collecting alms got one thousand coins, and he stored them at a friend’s house. When he came back to get his money, his friend had already spent it, so instead, he gave the…
Kandina Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy. When farmers’ crops were growing, the deer living around villages would flee deep into the forest to avoid the danger from traps and guards. One year a stag who lived in the forest year-round fell in…
Kharadiya Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once the leader of a herd of deer. One day his sister asked him to teach her son tricks to avoid and escape hunters. They made an appointment, but his nephew did not come for his lessons. Soon after, as he roamed the…
Tandulanali Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a king’s appraiser. He alone determined the cost of everything the palace bought, and sellers had no choice but to accept his prices. The king was greedy and did not appreciate that the Bodhisatta paid fair prices,…
Serivanija Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once a traveling pot and pan salesman. He and another salesman came to a new city at the same time and they each took half of it to do their business. The other salesman called at the home of a destitute family, just a…
Makhadeva Jataka
The Bodhisatta was once King Makhadeva. He reigned with wisdom and virtue for eighty-four thousand years. Before taking the throne, he had served as prince and viceroy, each for the same length of time. Throughout the Bodhisatta’s life, his…