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The Pansiya Panas Jathaka Potha is a collection of 550 anecdotes and fables that depict the earlier incarnations of Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become the Buddha. It is a canon of sacred Buddhist literature that was translated from Jathaka Atuwawa into Sinhala during the Kurunegala period. The Jataka tales are dated between 300 BC and 400 AD.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of stories | 550 |
| Genre | anecdotes and fables |
| Subject matter | Earlier incarnations of Siddhartha Gautama |
| Date of translation | Between 300 BC and 400 AD |
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The collection of 550 anecdotes and fables
The Pansiyapanas Jathaka Potha is a significant collection of sacred Buddhist literature. It is a compilation of 550 anecdotes and fables that depict the earlier incarnations of Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become Buddha. These tales are dated between 300 BC and 400 AD.
The collection is based on the Buddha's past lives and births, also known as Jataka tales. Before attaining Buddhahood, the Bodhisatta, or "the aspirant for Buddhahood", must pass through numerous births, sometimes assuming different bodily forms and even those of different species. In each of these lives, Buddha Gotama practised the Dhamma, overcoming difficulties and adversaries on his path to enlightenment.
The Jataka tales within the Pansiyapanas Jathaka Potha were originally translated from Jathaka Atuwawa during the Kurunegala period and into Sinhala, a language native to Sri Lanka. The collection is considered a great canon of sacred Buddhist literature.
The stories within the collection contain moral and instructional content. For example, the fifth Jataka, Mahosadha-jataka, concerns the birth of Siddhartha Gautama as a wise counsellor and judge. The Vessantara-Jataka is the longest and final birth story of the Bodhisatta before his birth as Prince Siddhartha, who would eventually become Gautama Buddha.
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Earlier incarnations of Siddhartha Gautama
The Pansiyapanas Jathaka Potha is a collection of 550 anecdotes and fables that depict the earlier incarnations of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. The Jataka tales are dated between 300 BC and 400 AD.
According to Buddhist legends, before Siddhartha Gautama was born, it was prophesied that he would become either a great king or a spiritual leader. His father, hoping for the former, hid his son away from anything that might distress him and encourage him to adopt a spiritual path.
Siddhartha Gautama was born to royal parents of the Shakya clan in Lumbini, in what is now Nepal. His mother, Queen Maya, was a princess from Devadaha, the ancient capital of the Koliya Kingdom. Legend has it that, on the night Siddhartha was conceived, Queen Maya dreamt that a white elephant with six white tusks entered her right side. Ten months later, Siddhartha was born.
Siddhartha lived a life of luxury as the heir-apparent to his father. He was married and had a son. However, his life changed when he encountered the Four Signs. According to the story, he saw either in rapid succession or over four days, an aged man, a sick man, a dead man, and an ascetic. With each of the first three, he asked his driver, "Am I....". The encounter with the Four Signs caused Siddhartha to renounce his wealth and position to seek enlightenment as a spiritual ascetic.
After a life of mendicancy, asceticism, and meditation, Siddhartha Gautama attained nirvana and became the Buddha, the enlightened one. He then wandered through the lower Indo-Gangetic Plain, teaching and building a monastic order.
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The Jataka tales
The collection includes approximately 550 anecdotes and fables, depicting the earlier incarnations of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Bodhisatta or the "aspirant for Buddha-hood". In the tales, the Bodhisatta assumes various bodily forms, sometimes that of different species, and he overcomes difficulties and defeats adversaries on his path to enlightenment. The tales emphasise how the Bodhisatta turned any situation into a learning opportunity, enduring hardships for the benefit of others and growing in generosity, virtue, patience, wisdom, and compassion.
The Vessantara-Jataka is considered the last and longest birth story of the Bodhisatta before he was born as Prince Siddhartha. It holds significant importance in Theravada countries, where it is still performed in dance, theatre, puppetry, and formal recitations associated with specific lunar calendar holidays.
The stories within the Jataka tales are not presented in chronological order, allowing readers to jump in and explore any tale that piques their interest. The tales have been translated and retold in modern English by authors like Ken and Visakha Kawasaki, making them accessible to a wider audience, including young readers and those for whom English is not their first language.
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The Bodhisatta's journey to Buddha-hood
The Pansiyapanas Jathaka Potha is a collection of 550 anecdotes and fables that depict the journey to Buddhahood. Before one can attain Buddhahood, they must first become a Bodhisatta, or "aspirant for Buddhahood". The Bodhisatta must pass through many births, assuming different bodily forms, sometimes that of different species.
The journey to Buddhahood begins with a sincere vow to become a Buddha for the benefit of others. Those on this path are called bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas are spiritually heroic persons driven by a great compassion to attain awakening. They are fully acquainted with signlessness, and their minds are not moved by ideas of signs.
The eighth bhumi bodhisattvas are said to be "irreversible" as they are destined for full Buddhahood. On the eighth through the tenth stage, bodhisattvas make huge strides toward Buddhahood. On the tenth and final level, known as the Cloud of Dharma, the last traces of afflictions are taken away. Like a cloud that pours rain on the earth, these bodhisattvas spread the dharma in all directions, and each sentient being absorbs what it needs to grow spiritually.
In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva refers to anyone who has generated bodhicitta, a spontaneous wish, and a compassionate mind to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. Bodhisattvas can transform themselves into whatever physical form is useful for helping sentient beings, such as a god, a bird, a male or female, or even a Buddha. Because of this, bodhisattvas are seen as beings that one can pray to for aid and consolation from the sufferings of everyday life as well as for guidance on the path to enlightenment.
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The Vessantara-Jataka
The tale tells the story of one of Gautama Buddha's past lives, about a very compassionate and generous prince, Vessantara, who gives away everything he owns, including his children, thereby displaying the virtue of perfect generosity. Vessantara is born to King Sanjaya and Queen Phusati. Immediately after leaving the womb, Vessantara asked his mother for something he could give away, and she gave him one thousand coins. As a child, he gives away his horses and chariot. Vessantara grows up to be a kind person, willing to give away his belongings to others. His parents support his charity with their treasures. Vessantara marries princess Madri, and they have two children, Jali and Kanha.
One day, Vessantara gives away a magical white elephant, which had brought rain to his kingdom, to envoys from Kalinga, a neighbouring country facing a drought. The citizens of Vessantara's kingdom, fearing drought, convince King Sanjaya to resume control of the kingdom and banish his son. Vessantara gives away his wealth and leaves the city to live in the forest as a rishi (hermit) with his family.
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Frequently asked questions
Pansiya Panas Jathaka Potha is a collection of 550 anecdotes and fables.
Pansiya Panas Jathaka Potha is a canon of sacred Buddhist literature. It was translated into Sinhala from Jathaka Atuwawa in the Kurunegala period.
The stories depict the earlier incarnations of Siddhartha Gautama, who practised the Dhamma sincerely, overcame difficulties, and achieved victory over his adversary before attaining the status of the Fully-Enlightened One.
