Jatakas: the many lives of Buddha as Bodhisattva

 In Buddhist art and literature, the Jatakas' tales(https://smarthistory.org/jatakas/) play an important part. First one must understand that Buddha takes on many forms both human and non-human. One of the earliest forms of Buddha is known as Bodhisattvas, this is before Buddha achieved enlightenment. These tales are passed down from generation to generation, telling us how one can learn from one's mistakes and how practicing good moral virtues were essential. It also shows us how Buddha obtained enlightenment and his endless cycle of rebirth. There are over 500 tales that contain Jatakas. One of the most well liked Jatakas tales in Buddhist art is that of the Mahakapi Jataka. This Jataka chronicles on how Bodhisattvas was born a Great Monkey who lived among a large tribe of other monkeys in the Himalayan forest. The tale, then goes on to say that the Great Monkey and his tribe looked after this Banyan tree near the coast of the that bloomed a great fruit with the best flavor and fragrance making sure that river Ganges. Although they tried to make sure that no fruit reached the Ganges river, one did and was found by a fisherman who then took it to the king of Benaras. The king and all of his men then went to the tree and saw the monkeys eating the fruit. He then ordered his men to shoot down the monkeys, scared the monkeys, went to the Bodhisattvas, he told his tribe not to worry and began making a bridge of bamboo shoots to reach other trees across the river and onto safety for his tribe. However the bridge falls short and the Great Monkey uses himself as a link for his tribe to safely cross and is injured in the process. The king sees this feat and filled with deep emotion he commands his men to bring him the Bodhisattvas. He then is taken to the king and before he dies of his wounds he receives from his heroic feat  explains the Buddhist laws to the king. The king is so moved that the Great Monkey is given a royal funeral.  This tale can be found depicted on a medellin in Bharhut dated around the 2nd century B.C.E and another on western gateway of the Great Stupa in India dated at 1st century B.C.E. Art and literature like this one can not only give us in insight to other religions across the globe but it can also help us depict others values and beliefs.

Mahakapi Jataka, roundel relief, Bharhut stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India, c. 2nd century B.C.E. – 1st century B.C.E. (Indian Museum, Kolkata, West Bengal, India)

Mahakapi Jataka, Stupa 1 (the Great Stupa) at Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), on a pillar of west gateway /torana, dated ca. 1st century B.C.E. – 1st century C.E.

Dr. Mandira Sharma, "Jatakas: the many lives of Buddha as Bodhisattva," in Smarthistory, March 20, 2019, accessed October 10, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/jatakas/.