Gautama Buddha's birth as Prince Siddhartha - during which he reached Nirvana - was the last of several thousand births as a bodhisattva, an enlightened being who chooses to be reborn on earth so as to help others. The Jataka tales are a anthology of stories that recount 547 of the Buddha's previous lives. The Buddha used these parables to describe to his followers the spirit of his philosophy, putting forward guidelines for right behavior and good values. As storytellers passed them to wherever Buddhism took root in Asia, the Jatakas inspired art, sculptures & architecture. To this day, they continue to be performed as dances and recitals in Cambodia, Laos & Thailand. Baka Jataka - Heron tale: One hot summer, the inhabitants of a pond became fearful for their lives as the water started drying up. A heron, sensing their fear, thought up a plan to trick them and ensure a sufficient supply of provisions for him. "There's a large lake nearby. I could carry you over," he offered. The innocent fish agreed and queued up to be flown away, one by one. Alas, none of them understood that their predecessors had already become the heron's extended meal. Finally, a crab was left. "Why don't you come on too?" asked the heron. "Hmmm...why is he so concerned about an old crab like me? Something's not correct. On the other hand, the pond's almost dried out..." Making up his mind, the crab said, "Oh, thanks. But I'm aged, I may fall off. Let me get a grasp around your neck with my claws." The heron said yes and off they flew. After some a little while, the bird alighted |rested|sat| on a branch. "Hey, good friend, where's the lake? And all my old friends whom you rescued?" "You'll see them soon enough, inside my belly!" sneered the heron and made ready to kill him. But the crab tightened his grasp on the heron's neck, twisting it until the bird pleaded for mercy. "Take me back, you fraud!" The bird flew the crab back, but when it was about to release him into the water, the crab cut the heron's neck with his pincers. The Bodhisattva, who was then a tree spirit near the pond, said that one always reaps the consequence of his doings - this is the law of karma. If we harm others, we will sooner or later face the same fate. In tough times, mindfulness - as in the crab's example - will save us from danger. Panchayudha Jataka Tale: How do you deal with a life-threatening circumstances? The best-armed man, when he tackles a stronger enemy, is likely to recoil. Can weaponry alone help him? What is genuine courage made up of? The Bodhisattva was once born as a son to King Brahmadatta. At his naming ceremony, the king's priests prophesied that the prince would become a good and noble ruler, famous for his five arms. At 16, Prince Panchayudha (Five Weapons) left home for Taxila to further his education. On completing his studies, his teacher presented him with 4 weapons - bow and arrows, a sword, a sharp, pointed wheel and a club. While returning home, the prince was accosted by a fearsome, sticky-feathered ogre who assumed a variety of horrific shapes to threaten the prince. Panchayudha fought him with the 4 weapons and his own limbs and head. Alas, to no avail; all of them got stuck to the ogre's feathers. But the ogre could not kill him, transfixed as he was by the prince's idiom of calmness. "Aren't you scared of dying?" he grunted. "Not at all. I have one weapon left - a thunderbolt in my body. Eat me and you too will be killed." Hmmm, thought the ogre... should he take a chance? But this man seemed to be speaking the truth. He set the prince free! The fifth weapon that the prince referred to was his wisdom! He then preached to the ogre, convincing him to leave his murderous ways, which would only lead to more darkness and misery in his forthcoming births. The ogre thereupon agreed to become the protector of the forest and its nearby villages. The ogre in this tale is a metaphor for ignorance and stupidity. In crisis-like situations, preached the Buddha, cool detachment and mindfulness will save us when all other options are exhausted.
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The Jataka tales in Buddhism are a anthology of parables that recount 547 of the Buddha's previous lives. Buddha often shared these stories with his followers.
Buddha Groove is an online source by Chip who is a designer and writer. His work can be seen at Buddha Statue site and Hindu Statues site.. Visit Inspirational Jataka Stories from Buddhism.
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