Toh 1178In Praise of the Jātaka Tales

EXPOSITION OF THE SCRIPTURE "IN PRAISE OF THE STORIES OF PAST LIVES"

(Jatakastava — Toh 1178)

Background

Jatakastava, or "In Praise of the Stories of Past Lives," is a work belonging to the Tengyur (the Treatise Collection — the exegetical portion of the scriptures) of the Northern Tibetan canon. This work is not an independent sutra, but a praise, a form of devotional poetry regarded as an important genre of study and practice literature in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

The stories of past lives (Jataka) in Mahayana Buddha Dharma describe the former lives of Buddha Shakyamuni, when he was still practicing under the designation of a bodhisattva on the path. These stories are concrete images of practice on the bodhisattva path throughout countless eons, from the arising of bodhicitta until the attainment of buddhahood. This work was composed to praise the noble spiritual value of those stories, in order to inspire faith and enthusiasm in those who practice according to the bodhisattva path.

Main Content

In the context of Mahayana Buddhism, especially the Tibetan tradition, the Jatakas are regarded as materials teaching the bodhisattva disposition — the qualities, virtues, and actions that a bodhisattva must cultivate in order to attain buddhahood. This Jatakastava praises the core elements of those stories.

The scripture teaches that, through the stories of past lives, we see:

First, the inconceivable nature of bodhisattva action. Deeds that ordinary people cannot perform — sacrificing one’s own body, giving up all possessions, enduring endless suffering — the bodhisattva performs willingly, with a joyful mind. This expresses the sublime power of the mind of loving-kindness and compassion (Maitri Karuna).

Second, the fulfillment of the Six Perfections (Paramita): generosity (Dana), discipline (Sila), patience (Ksanti), diligence (Virya), meditative concentration (Dhyana), and wisdom (Prajnapti).