Jataka Tales - Unit Two - Shedlock-reading A

Jataka Tales
Sherlock

The Spirit that Lived in a Tree

The Tree-Spirit, who inhabited the Sal Tree in the King’s Park, life was threatened by the king. The king wished to use the tree as a single column in new palace. The Tree-Spirit fearing not for his death, but concerned about his offspring (the smaller Sal trees), appeals to the king for a slow painful death rather than a swift one. The king is touched by the Tree-Spirits self sacrifice and promises him no harm.

The Parrot that Fed His Parents

The master of the rice-keeper, the Brahmin, is a central character in this story. According to Wikipedia, in Hinduism the Brahmins were the highest ranking of the four social classes often holding positions as priests, teachers, and protectors of sacred learning across generations. Other texts show that the Brahmins were also agriculturalists, warriors, traders, and held a variety of other occupations in India. The Brahim in this story felt the power of the reincarnated Buddha and protected him and his family as a result of the Parrot-Kings altruism toward his family who were not able to care for themselves.

The King Who Saw the Truth

Many of the tales in this Unit reference the giving of alms. According to Wikipedia, alms or almsgiving involves giving to others as an act of virtue, either materially or in the provision of things free, such as education. Existing in many religions and regions, it is obviously an important part of Buddha’s teachings. The king in this story desires to give more than just material objects to his people. When a blind Brahmin asked for the king’s eyes, the king stays true to his vow - giving his eyes to the blind man. After many days, the king’s sight was returned to him - not his original sight but “the eyes which see perfect and absolute Truth.”

The Monkey that Saved the Hero

Don’t let the title of this story fool you! The reincarnated Buddha as a Monkey-King over 80,000 monkeys overcomes the water-ogre. When the water-ogre acknowledges that he takes any animal who comes down into the water to drink, the Monkey-King uses a reed and blows it out until it becomes hollow and instructs all of the other 80,000 to do the same. Sitting on the back they all drink the water and avoid the water-ogre.

Bibliography: http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/story-source-eastern-stories-and.html