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Significance of Jataka stories

by R.M.A. Karunaratne

Jataka stories are very popular among the Buddhists and occupy a prominent place in the Buddhist scriptures. They relate the stories of previous births of the Buddha as Bodhisattas in different births in Samsara.

Some believe that the only aim of writing those stories was to develop the feelings of devotion in the minds of Buddhists thereby gradually making them lead a virtuous life, abstaining from all evils.

At present Jataka stories are read and discussed by devotees observing Ata Sil or Dasa Sil (eight or ten precepts as the case may be) in groups after meditating for half an hour or so, especially on Full Moon Poya days at temples and monasteries in the country.

Whatever the ideas and views held by scholars regarding the possibility of events of these Jataka stories, the Buddhists, particularly those who still value the age old customs and rituals strongly cling on to the notion that the incidents in the stories described in the book called the 'Pansiya Panas Jatakaya' which contains a series of 550 stories are true.

The Jataka story of Dharmapala the Great

On the Buddha's visit to the city of Kapilawastu King Suddhodana invited Him and his retinue to the palace for alms. After partaking of alms, the Buddha and the King engaged in a short deliberation. While talking the King told the Buddha that a diviner (Devatha) had revealed to him that hermit Siddhartha had died when he was struggling to attain Buddhahood during his strenuous struggle for six long years. Then the Buddha asked the King, "Did you believe him?, 'No, not at all', the King replied. The Buddha continued. 'It is not strange that you did not believe the story, for even in previous births in the same circumstances you had denied such expressions vehemently.'

Curiosity made the King to urge the Buddha to tell the past incidents that had occurred in connection with the present one. This was what he had revealed.

In the State Kasi in Northern India, there was a Brahman who was pious, kind and generous. His name was Dharmapala. Later a son was born to them. he was also named Dharmapala. He was sent to a school in Thaksila (in the territory of modern kashmir).

Prince Dharmapala's tutor was Dissapamok. A son of Dissapamok died during that time and it was heard by prince Dharmapala from his colleagues.

The son died at a tender age. Prince Dharmapala was sad hearing this news because he had never heard children dying at such a tender age, the teacher was surprised to hear the news conveyed by Prince Dharmapala.

Teacher Dissapamok met his father to ascertain this confused matter, he also took a bone of a goat with him.

After a brief chat the master conveyed him that Prince Dharmapala had died. But the Brahaman laughed and did not believe the story.

The master tried to prove the death of Brahaman's son by producing a bone of a goat. But he was not successful.

Their children did not die at a tender age. The reasons were they abstained from doing the ten demerits, not telling lies even for fun, not engaging in any evil activity, offering alms to the needy, men and women constraining their senses and so on.

Thus in their family lineage no children die in their childhood and they were even wise and healthy.

"The master then left for his village with great contentment. Subsequently he taught Prince Dharmapala every art and science known at that time and took him to his parental home in a procession after the completion of his eduction.

Before concluding the story, the Buddha explained the characters in the previous birth.The parents of Prince Dharmapala were king Suddhodana and Queen Maha Maya.

The teacher was the Arahath Saripuththa and Prince Dharmapala was the Buddha Himself.

At the end of the sermon, King Suddhodana the Buddha's beloved father attained the state of 'Anagami' where one never returns to mundane life.

Moral: One who is well disciplined is protected by the discipline itself.

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