📖 The Jatakas (Penguin Classics Paperback)

📖 The Jatakas (Penguin Classics Paperback)

Translated and edited by Sarah Shaw
Publisher: Penguin Books

The Jatakas is a remarkable collection of ancient Buddhist tales recounting the previous lives of the Buddha. In these stories, the Bodhisatta (the Buddha-to-be) appears in many forms — as a king, an ascetic, an animal, or an ordinary person — embodying virtues such as compassion, wisdom, generosity, and courage.

This Penguin Classics edition presents a carefully selected and accessible translation, offering readers a window into early Buddhist thought, moral philosophy, and storytelling tradition. Rich in symbolism and ethical insight, these narratives have inspired art, literature, and spiritual practice across Asia for centuries.

Blending folklore, fable, and profound spiritual teaching, The Jatakas remain timeless reflections on karma, virtue, and the path toward enlightenment.

Ideal for:

• Students of Buddhism and world religions

• Readers of classical literature and folklore

• Anyone seeking meaningful moral and spiritual stories