What are Jātaka stories?
Big choices, unexpected adventures, and a little wisdom to carry home. A guide for the grown-ups reading alongside curious children.
Stories of the Buddha’s past lives
The Jātaka tales tell of the Buddha’s previous lives, before he became the Buddha. In these Buddhist stories, the Buddha-to-be appears in different lives, sometimes as a person and sometimes as an animal. The stories explore choices, their consequences, and qualities such as kindness, generosity, and wisdom.
They belong to a religious storytelling tradition. Reading them together can be a way to explore Buddhist ideas while leaving room for children’s questions. You do not need to know every name or term before you begin.
For more background, see the British Library’s introduction to the Jātaka tales.
Where to begin on Dharma Trail
Start with Temiya, the prince who chose peace. Our illustrated edition includes narration, words to follow along, and moments to join in. A grown-up and child can listen together, pause, and talk about the prince’s choice.
Each story page also has a summary of the traditional tale, themes to explore, a question for conversation, and a source for grown-ups. Temiya’s illustrated story is available now. The other nine illustrated editions are coming soon, but their summaries are ready to explore.
How to read together
- Take a look first. Read the summary before sharing a story. Some traditional tales include suffering, punishment, separation, or difficult acts of sacrifice. Choose what feels right for your child today.
- Make room for wondering. Pause at a choice and ask, “What do you think they could do?” A child’s question can be a better starting point than a lesson prepared in advance.
- Bring it back to everyday life. After reading, talk about a small moment of kindness or courage: helping a friend, telling the truth, or choosing not to hurt someone.
- Leave space for another view. Children can question a character’s actions. You can explore a traditional story together without asking them to copy every choice in it.
Explore our ten great Jātaka stories
Choose a story that catches your curiosity. The summaries describe the traditional tales; an illustrated adaptation may tell them differently for reading together.
A question to take into the first story
“Can you think of a time when being kind took courage?” There is no need to rush to an answer. Keep the question beside you as you meet Temiya.