Complete Jatak Tales/Stories In English

The Jataka tales are part of the Buddhist scripture Tripitaka and contain stories of the previous lives of the Buddha. These stories, which date back thousands of years, are considered some of the oldest written stories in the world, with approximately 600 tales being collected. The purpose of these tales is to impart religious and moral teachings through entertaining stories. The Buddha is often depicted as the main character in these stories, sometimes as a hero, sometimes as a secondary character, and sometimes as a spectator. The stories begin with an introduction mentioning King Brahmadatta reigning in Varanasi and the birth of the Bodhisattva Kurang. The exact number of these tales is uncertain, with some traditions stating there are 550, while others say there are 547. Despite being didactic in nature, these tales have a strong literary form and have elements of folk literature, including stories about animals, birds, and humans. The tales are classified into seven categories: 

1. Practical Policy Stories

2. Animal Stories

3. Stories full of humor and humor

4. Thriller Long Stories or Novels

5. Moral description

6. Statement only, and

7. Religious Stories

Additionally, these tales are known for their imaginative, witty and imaginative storytelling style, with elements of adventure, heroism, and moral lessons. These stories were primarily aimed at imparting Buddhist teachings to the masses, and many of these tales are still popular today, not just among Buddhists, but among people of all ages and backgrounds. These tales have also had a significant impact on literature and storytelling, not just in the countries where Buddhism is widely practiced, but also in the Western world, where they have been translated into various languages. The Jataka tales are considered to be an important part of Buddhist literature and are revered for their moral values, cultural heritage and artistic appeal. They continue to be retold, adapted and enjoyed by generations, and their impact on literature, culture and religion remains profound.

Complete Jatak Tales/Stories In English

In the Wish-Diary series, all of the Jataka tales will be published one after another. The names and links to each tale will be listed below for ease of access. You can save this page to your bookmarks to easily find the stories later. We welcome any feedback and comments you may have to improve this website.

Buddhist fables

1. The Story of Ruru Deer ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
2. The Story of Two Swans  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
3. The Hare on the Moon  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
4. The Story of Chaddanta Elephant  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
5. The Story of Great Monkey  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
6. The Story of The Two Deer  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
7. The Story of a Buffalo & Naughty Monkey~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
8. Story Of Silava Elephant ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
9. Story Of The Monkey King  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
10. The Story of the Golden Swan ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
11. The Story of the Great Ape  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
12. The Mighty Fish  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
13. Story of the Monkey King  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
14. Lion and Jackal  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
15. Death Of Somadatta  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
16. The Story of the Fool Crows  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
17. Story Of The Monkey Brothers  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
18. The Story of NigrodhaRaj Deer  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
19. Story Of Two Parrots  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
20. Story Of Nandivisala Bull  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
21. Coronation of Owl ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
22. The Feast of the Dead  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
23. The Heart of the Monkey ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
24. The Story of a Rooster ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
25. The Story of a Tigeress  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
26. The Pigeon and The Crow  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
27. The Story of Romaka Pigeon ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
28. The Story of Khardiya Deer  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
29. The Thankless Monkey  ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
30. Can A Fool Ever Act Good ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
31. The Story of a Tortoise~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
32. Story of Jackal The Arbitrator ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
33. The Story of a Snake Charmer & Monkey~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
34. The Leather Garment ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
35. The Giant Crab ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
36. The Story of Mahilaimukha Elephant ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English
37. The Story of Vinilaka ~ Jatak Tales/Stories In English

The Jataka Tales provide us with a wealth of knowledge and insight into the teachings of Buddhism, as well as the cultural and social values of the time in which they were written. Some of the key knowledge that can be gleaned from these tales include:

Buddhist Teachings: The Jataka Tales are primarily aimed at imparting Buddhist teachings and principles to the masses. They illustrate various aspects of Buddhist philosophy, such as the importance of kindness, compassion, wisdom, and selflessness.

Moral Lessons: The Jataka Tales are filled with moral lessons that are intended to shape the reader's character and behavior. These lessons include the importance of honesty, compassion, non-violence, and selflessness.

Cultural Heritage: The Jataka Tales provide a glimpse into the cultural and social values of ancient India, such as the way of life of the people, their customs and beliefs, and their attitudes towards animals and the natural world.

Artistic Appeal: The Jataka Tales are well-written and imaginative, and their storytelling style is characterized by elements of adventure, heroism, and humor. They provide us with an appreciation of the literary art form and its impact on literature and storytelling.

Historical Significance: The Jataka Tales are counted among the oldest written stories in the world and are considered to be an important part of Buddhist literature. They provide us with a valuable historical record of the teachings of Buddhism and its evolution over time.

Overall, the Jataka Tales offer a rich and diverse source of knowledge that can help us understand the teachings of Buddhism, appreciate the cultural and social values of ancient India, and gain a deeper appreciation of the art of storytelling.