What Are Jataka Tales? - Harsha Solanki

Jataka Tales

The jataka (meaning "Birth Story," "related to a birth") is a voluminous body of literature native to the Indian subcontinent which mainly concerns the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. Jataka stories were depicted on the railings and torans of the stupas.  According to Peter Skilling, this genre is "one of the oldest classes of Buddhist literature." Some of these texts are also considered great works of literature in their own right.

Jataka tales include an extensive cast of characters who interact and get into various kinds of trouble - whereupon the Buddha character intervenes to resolve all the problems and bring about a happy ending. The Jātaka genre is based on the idea that the Buddha could recollect all his past lives and t
hus could use these memories to tell a story and illustrate his teachings.

For the Buddhist traditions, the jātakas illustrate the many lives, acts and spiritual practices which are required on the long path to Buddhahood. They also illustrate the great qualities or perfection of the Buddha (such as generosity) and teach Buddhist moral lessons, particularly within the framework of karma and rebirth. Jātaka stories have also been illustrated in Buddhist architecture throughout the Buddhist world and they continue to be an important element in popular Buddhist art Some of the earliest such illustrations can be found at Sanchi and Bharhut.

Harsha Solanki

Grade 8

Sunbeam School & Hostel, Lahartara

Reflection of the week - Sunday 5th May 2024

-From Jataka Tales- 

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why? 

3. What learnings can we take from the story "The Guilty Dogs"?

4. Thinking calmly and not hastily

5. Being Humble

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees- 

1. What are Vaccums?

2. What can we learn from the "Carbon Dioxide Vaccums" chapter?

3. What do you think we can learn from Nature?

4. What is shared between the two stories today?

5. Find out what is peat

`These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections! 

You can email your reflections to - 

nk@learningforward.org.in

Thanks to Rishona for this post.

My Good School – Summary

 Sunday - 5th May 2024

• 1 hour 42 minutes • 

0:00 Using Telegram for communication at a school.

8:59 Using Telegram for secure communication.

16:01 Joining a telegram group for a school.

25:58 Jatakas and their moral lessons.

31:22 King's order to kill dogs, Bodhisattva reveals the truth.

39:33 Justice, bias, and self-reflection.

46:26 Cultivating virtues for enlightenment and avoiding emotional decision-making.

52:41 Learning from pets and AI assistants.

1:02:10 Self-love and inner peace through acknowledging and addressing negative self-talk.

1:08:36 Self-love, healing, and understanding of human nature.

1:13:44 Forest carbon cycles and climate change.

1:20:53 Forest ecosystems, carbon sequestration, and climate change.

1:27:47 Rejuvenating and revitalising forests.

1:34:04 Trees, their growth, and impact on climate change.

The audio recording hosted on TELEGRAM #SundaySchool

Jataka Tales - Pranjal Yadav

Jatakas were the tales that were probably composed by ordinary people, and then written down and preserved by Buddhist monks. Jataka stories are mostly related to previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form.

Jataka tales are extremely popular stories of the former lives of the Buddha, which are preserved in all branches of Buddhism. Some Jataka tales are scattered in various sections of the Pali canon of Buddhist writings

-Pranjal Yadav 

 -Vlll 'A'

Sunbeam Hostels Lahartara