Jataka Tales

The idea of Suffering

How to end suffering• Done over a period of time, can be many, many lives• Dependent on meditation as well as the actions of

the soul which have good and bad characteristics and resulting consequences, the results of which are karma

• Occurs until all sentient beings are released• Done via four noble truths:– 1. Suffering exists.– 2. The origin of suffering is attachment.– 3. The elimination suffering is possible. – 4. To eliminate desire follow the Noble Eightfold Path

Noble Eightfold Path

• Right understanding• Right awareness• Right speech• Right action• Right livelihood• Right effort• Right mindfulness/thought • Right concentration

What is a Jataka Tale?

• Jataka Tales are not fables• stories teach the lessons of Buddhism through

short morality tales, each of which is said to be a tale from one of the Buddha's earlier lives

• often focus on animal characters who display humanistic behavior

• Jataka Tales are morality tales which strive to teach people lessons about behaving well.

Create your own Jataka Tale• To do this, you will have to think of an appropriate short story

that shares many of the ideas and teachings of the Buddha. • You should make sure that the Buddha returns as something

other than himself, and you must tie at least two parts of the noble eightfold path into your story

• Must have a cover page – Decorated– Name

• Each page must have a picture to go along with the text– Must be colored

• Minimum of 6 pages. (not including the cover page)• More creativity = more points • DUE: FRIDAY MARCH 29TH