Lay-Life of India as reflected in Pali Jataka
by Rumki Mondal | 2018 | 71,978 words
This page relates ‘Bodhisattva and Paramita-cariya—Introduction’ of the study on the Lay-life of ancient India as reflected in Pali Jataka—a collection of over 547 birth stories of the Bodhisattva. Within Theravada Buddhism, these narratives serve as historical and moral guidelines and spiritual therapeutic tools. This study further researches the Pali Canon by reflecting on the socio-political and religious life in India.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Part 2 - Bodhisattva and Pāramītā-cariyā—Introduction
In the Jātaka Aṭṭhakathā and in the Buddhavaṃsa Aṭṭhakathā we find how the Bodhisattva fulfilled Pāramītās in the Jātaka stories. Certain Jātakas have been named to show–
1. Dāna Pāramītā[1] (generosity)—Forsaking one’s goods and possessions (animals and non living objects) by making gifts; like Sasa Jātaka (No.316), Sibi Jātaka (No.499), Vessantara Jātaka (No.547), Mahākapi Jātaka (No.407).
2. Sīla Pāramītā (good-conduct)—Control of one’s actions and speeches in order to refrain from evil actions; like Saṅkhapāla Jātaka(No.524), Bhūridatta Jātaka (No.543).
3. Nekkhamma Pāramītā (renunciation)—Renouncement of the life of the laity for the sake of a solitary life; like Makhādeva Jātaka(No.9), Culla Sutasoma Jātaka (No.525), Nimi Jātaka (No.541), Kusa Jātaka (No.531).
4. Paññā Pāramītā (wisdom)—Development of knowledge and understanding through study and analytical reflection like Senaka Jātaka(No.402), Ummagga Jātaka(No.546).
5. Viriya Pāramītā (firmness)—Efforts to do good to others and peril ones life; like Mahājanaka Jātaka (No.539).
6. Khānti Pāramītā (patience)—Establishment of an always perfect tolerance, whatever, on other’s behalf, performed actions and uttered speeches might be like Khantivādī Jātaka (No.313), Khaṇḍahāla Jātaka (No.542).
7. Sacca Pāramītā (truth)—Truthfulness; like Mahā Sutasoma Jātaka 537, Vidurapaṇḍita Jātaka (No.545), Hārita Jātaka (No.431), Hiri Jātaka (No.363).
8. Adhiṭṭhāna Pāramītā (resolution)—Decision to solely perform beneficial actions and to stick to them; like Mūgapakkha Jātaka (Temiya Jātaka, No. 538).
9. Mettā Pāramītā (kindness)—Cultivation of a state of mind turned towards other’s happiness, to practice love toward all beings; like Culla Dhammapāla Jātaka (No.358), Ekarāja Jātaka (No.303), Sāmā Jātaka (No.540).
10. Upekkhā Pāramītā (equanimity)—Detachment of hatred and adoration. Not to stick to an idea in particular; like Lomahaṃsa Jātaka (No.94), Mahānārada kassapa Jātaka.(544).
The Jātaka stories clearly discussed those ten Pāramītās–
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Three kinds of Dāna Pāramītā–i) Āmisadāna(the giving of wealth) ii) Dharmadāna (the giving of law) iii) Abhayadāna (the giving of fearlessness). Dāna also described as being of Nine Kinds: i) Svabhāva dāna (essential aspects),ii) Sarva dāna (dāna in general), iii) Duskarma dāna (difficult dāna), iv) Sarvato-mukha dāna (all-around dāna), v) Satpurusa dāna (dāna of a virtuous man), vi) Sarvākāraṃ dāna (omniform dāna), vii) Vighātārthikaṃ dāna (which makes poor person rich), viii) Ihāmutra-sukhaṃ dāna (the dāna which is pleasant in this life or next life) ix) Visuddhaṃ dāna (purified dāna). Cf. The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature, Har Dayal, p.173.