INDIAN HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Jatakas are an important part of Buddhist art and literature. They describe the previous existences or births of the Buddha (the Enlightened One) when he appeared as Bodhisattvas (beings who are yet to attain enlightenment or moksha), in both human and non-human forms.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Buddha’s former lives were encapsulated in “birth stories, ‘’ known as jatakas (Pali and Sanskrit). The tales number in the hundreds, with the jataka centered on the life of Prince Vessantara ending the series.

Detailed explanation-3: -In a previous life, the Buddha was born as a bodhisattva in the form of a hare. He lived in a peaceful forest laden with flowers and fruit and a carpet of soft grass. He was known to all the forest creatures for his kind and gentle nature. Even the fearsome animals respected him.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Jatakas are the stories from the previous lives of the Buddha, and also the stories he would often tell. Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, would often regale his followers with short, intriguing stories which would often have a moral ending.

Detailed explanation-5: -Jataka, (Pali and Sanskrit: “Birth”) any of the extremely popular stories of former lives of the Buddha, which are preserved in all branches of Buddhism. Some Jataka tales are scattered in various sections of the Pali canon of Buddhist writings, including a group of 35 that were collected for didactic purposes.