The Lion And The Jackal Tales From Jataka

A tale from the Buddhist tradition about a community of lions and jackals that learns that friendship is built on trust and generosity retold for young readers.

This is a story that teaches you the importance of knowing your own limits.

The jackal has a bad reputation in the animal world. Devious, selfish, dishonest and boastful, his aspirations are high, but his talents few. He seldom repays a favour. Should such a creature be tolerated? Only so long as he uses his cunning for the good of the community, says the wisdom of these Jataka tales which were written as early as the period between 3rd century BC and 5th century AD.

Whereas Western intellectuals seek the essence of Buddhism in its doctrines and meditation practices, the traditional Buddhists of Asia absorb the ideas and values of their spiritual heritage through its rich narrative literature about the Buddha and his disciples. The most popular collection of Buddhist stories is, without doubt, the Jatakas. These are the stories of the Buddha's past births, relating his experiences as he passed from life to life on the way to becoming a Buddha. At times he takes the form of a bird, at times he is born as a hare, a monkey, a prince, a merchant, or an ascetic, but in each case he uses the challenges he meets to grow in generosity, virtue, patience, wisdom, and compassion.This anthology of Jatakas, ably told by Ken and Visakha Kawasaki, remains faithful to the original yet presents the stories in clear and simple language. It thereby makes the Jatakas accessible even to young readers and to those for whom English is not their first language.

Originally published in 1916, this book presents a selection from the Jatakas translated into English. The selection was made 'with the purpose of bringing together the Jataka stories of most interest, both intrinsically, and also from the point of view of the folklorist.' Notes and illustrative figures are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the Jataka tales and Indian literature.

The Jataka as we possess tells about the life of Buddha during some incarnation in one of his previous existences as a Bodhisatta (one being destined to enlightenment). Each separate story is embedded in a framework, which forms the story of the present. The present selection brings together the Jataka stories of the most widespread interest.