Jataka Tales of the Buddha (3 Vol Set) Retold by Ken & Visakha Kawasaki

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This set of three volumes includes 217 (of 547) Jataka tales lovingly retold by Ken and Visakha Kawasaki.

Whereas Western intellectuals seek the essence of Buddhism in its doctrines and meditation practices, the traditional Buddhists of Asia absorb the ideas and values of their spiritual heritage through its rich narrative literature about the Buddha and his disciples. The most popular collection of Buddhist stories is, without doubt, the Jatakas. These are the stories of the Buddha's past births, relating his experiences as he passed from life to life on the way to becoming a Buddha. At times he takes the form of a bird, at times he is born as a hare, a monkey, a prince, a merchant, or an ascetic, but in each case he uses the challenges he meets to grow in generosity, virtue, patience, wisdom, and compassion.This anthology of Jatakas, ably told by Ken and Visakha Kawasaki, remains faithful to the original yet presents the stories in clear and simple language. It thereby makes the Jatakas accessible even to young readers and to those for whom English is not their first language.

Available in eBook (PDF | ePUB | MOBI) : Vol. 1, 2 & 3

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A great set of stories

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these tales of the lives of the Buddha-to-be. They're fun short stories which convey the qualities of the Bodhisattva, and are entertaining and of course inspiring. The stories are well written.

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Reviewed by: Carolyn from New York on 7/1/2013

Not a complete set.

I was disappointed that this set has only 217 stories, not even half of the complete set which has 547 stories. The 2 others sets I bought earlier have 547 stories. But they were using late 19th or early 20th century English which is quite hard to understand some words. This set has one advantage that it's using today English that's easy to understand.

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Reviewed by: Thongvanh Norinth from Connecticut, USA. on 1/27/2013

Very inspiring

These stories are very inspiring and help in the practice of meditation in daily life, as the teachings are told in such a way that you can apply similar values in your own approach to what you encounter in life...

Very beautiful books, very well written. I highly recommend them.

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Reviewed by: Angélique Berhault from France on 9/8/2012

Excellent Retelling of the Jataka Tales

Best version of Jataka Tales that adults and children both can enjoy. Well-written in colorful, descriptive narrative, this collection of stories exposes the child to the Buddha's teachings.

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Reviewed by: chevita from Bend, OR on 8/11/2012

A beautiful collection of timeless tales

In the Jataka tales, the teachings of the Buddha are presented in narrative form. The stories follow the countless lives of the Bodhisatta... the Buddha before his enlightenment. According to tradition, the Bodhisatta strove for countless lives to perfect the virtues which would allow him to attain full Buddhahood.

Ken and Visakha Kawasaki have masterfully retold these stories, imbuing them with fresh life. For anyone unfamiliar with the Buddha's teachings, these stories are an engaging and accessible introduction. For those on the path, the stories are inspiring and invaluable.

There are two features that really stand out in these stories. The first is the Bodhisatta's ability to turn any situation, no matter how unpleasant, into an opportunity for learning and growth. Time and time again, the stories show the Bodhisatta enduring many hardships for the benefit of others. There is a central message in these stories: the greatest aim in life is to develop one's merits. All else pales in comparison, and often even life itself is sacrificed for the sake of a good deed.

A second central feature of these stories is the continuity between lives of the Buddha and his friends, the holy company of monks. It was not merely for his own sake that the Buddha developed his merits from lifetime to lifetime, but also to help his friends elevate themselves, to guide and inspire them in their efforts. For many lives, they set the stage for what was to come--a colossal flowering of enlightenment which would illuminate the world for millennia.

The Jataka tales are often fantastical, but at their core they are grounded by universal insights into the nature of existence and pragmatic moral teachings. Their mass appeal is evident through their influence, which shows not only in ancient Indian stories and literature but also in fables of the West. The stories are not necessarily intended for children, as their subject matter is often quite graphic. None of the horrors or intrigues of human life have been glossed over. And yet, what makes these stories worth reading is the presence of the Bodhisatta. In the face of terrible vicissitudes, the Bodhisatta displays equanimity. In the face of temptations and distractions, the Bodhisatta displays restraint. In the face of danger and challenges, the Bodhisatta displays strength and courage. These stories are meant to ennoble us, to push us to a point where we are ready to strive for liberation, no matter how long it might take or how difficult it might be.

May these stories be a beacon of hope for all those going through dark times. May we all find peace, happiness, and liberation.

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Reviewed by: Tom Corsus from SCVC on 5/28/2012