Writing and analyzing your own Jataka Tale

Student Name Instructor’s Name Course Section Date Title Themes Giving and Compassion The story highlights the significance of compassion in all relationships and selfless acts of giving without any returns. It can be seen in the story through the act of Bodhisattva who helps hungry family to provide food, the close-minded attitude of the young boy who is not dissuaded from helping others even though he is in poverty himself, and the divine intervention at the end of the story which rewards the village for their kind actions. Morality and Dharma The story revolves around the issue of morality and the supremacy of mind, body, and speech, which is called dharma. It sheds light on the moral clash of the young boy who at first denies his own needs, with the boy who has a control over his physical desires and gives his food to others which embodies the principle of dharma. Moreover, meditation will be viewed as a tool to get rid of suffering and achieve inner peace. Forbearance and Patience The theme of forbearance underlines the fact that patience can help one to withstand difficulties and obstacles. The boy’s patience is really tested as the famine arrives since he continues to persist with the welfare of others though he is himself hungry. The same patience is also shown by the young man as he sees the boy grow and gets the glimpse of the actions which occur in the village. Striving and Vigor The story is about the importance of hard work and determination in the face of challenges. Even though he lives through hunger, he remains determined and has the strength to look constantly for food to make sure that his family and the other weak villagers are well nourished. The message highlights the essence of persistence and taking an initiating role in the process of reaching the white. Jataka Tale As the Bodhisattva traversed the earth, aiding those in need, he arrived at a secluded village nestled within the mountains, far removed from the bustling cities. Here, the inhabitants led simple, unadorned lives. Among them was a young man named Rankesh, impoverished and resentful, often lamenting his fate and envying the rich. One day, his neighbor knocked on his door, pleading for some food. His wife was on the verge of giving birth. Rakesh is unwilling to help, refusing to offer aid, and claiming that he does not have anything to spare. The compassionate Bodhisattva acted with altruism, providing the neighbor with food giving him this, “Go ahead and take this food. May it fill your stomach and help to better your family’s well-being.” Rakesh with displeasure said, “Does it matter at all?! I have no spare money of my own to help others who are starving either.” The Bodhisattva said, “My dear friend, we cannot bound compassion! This sharing little, the infinite generosity, is the way to the abundance for everyone. We always will get, if we will give from the heart, the greatest blessings.” Rakesh folded his hands and declared vehemently, “It’s laughable. You can’t compare us, we will never be equal. People like me shall always be born poor, while your kind will be forever rich and good-looking.” The Bodhisattva vaguely agreed, “Maybe...maybe that’s right.” However, think about this – although the real wealth may not be the material things one possesses, the wealth of the heart is the most precious of all their possessions. It is by doing good deeds and being altruistic that we eventually realize and discover that life truly has perfect abundance. Each and every kind deed, as minute as it seems, causes a chain of events which travels far to reach others and their hearts perhaps in ways that we will never know or understand how. Trust in the most powerful force of compassion, my dear friend, and you will see a philanthropy bigger than you can imagine. So, the Bodhisattva vowed to be reborn as a poor villager and bet with the young man that if he would watch the reborn Bodhisattva grow into a man, he would receive much riches. Bodhisattva passed away, and at that very moment, the neighbor’s wife gave birth to a boy. The young man was stunned and speculated that the newborn must be the Bodhisattva reincarnated. Rakesh accepted the challenge, eager to become wealthy, and watched his neighbor’s son grow. The boy named Paraga, even living in poverty, showed compassion to others. He tended to wounded animals, assisted the elderly villagers, and shared with other children. In Rakesh’s view, this was difficult to understand. Rakesh could never understand why Paraga would be so willing to give his time and ...