Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Jātaka: [nt.] Birth Story; The story of a past life. Derived from jāta (born, brought into existence) + ka (belonging to).
Orthodox Definition
The Jātaka is the tenth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya, comprising 547 stories of the previous lives of Gotama Buddha when he was still an unawakened Bodhisatta striving for enlightenment.
The canonical text itself consists strictly of the verses (gāthā) spoken in the stories. However, because verses alone are incomprehensible, they are inseparable from the massive prose commentary (Jātakaṭṭhavaṇṇanā), which provides the actual narrative.
Each Jātaka is structured in three parts: a story of the present (why the Buddha is telling the tale), the story of the past (the Bodhisatta living as a king, ascetic, merchant, monkey, or elephant, demonstrating a specific Perfection like giving or patience), and the identification (where the Buddha identifies who the characters from the past life are in the present). The Jātakas have profoundly shaped Theravāda art, culture, and ethics for over two millennia.
Quote
Sā panāyaṃ jātakassa atthavaṇṇanā dūrenidānaṃ, avidūrenidānaṃ, santikenidānanti imāni tīṇi nidānāni dassetvā vaṇṇiyamānā ye naṃ suṇanti, tehi samudāgamato paṭṭhāya viññātattā yasmā suṭṭhu viññātā nāma hoti, tasmā taṃ tāni nidānāni dassetvā vaṇṇayissāma.
This commentary on the meaning of the Jātaka, when expounded by presenting these three introductions—the Remote Introduction (Dūrenidāna), the Not-Too-Remote Introduction (Avidūrenidāna), and the Immediate Introduction (Santikenidāna)—is well understood because it is known by those who hear it from its very origin. Therefore, we shall expound it by presenting these introductions.Tattha ādito tāva tesaṃ nidānānaṃ paricchedo veditabbo.
First, the division of these introductions should be understood.Dīpaṅkarapādamūlasmiñhi katābhinīhārassa mahāsattassa yāva vessantarattabhāvā cavitvā tusitapure nibbatti, tāva pavatto kathāmaggo dūrenidānaṃ nāma.
The narrative course that occurred from the time the Great Being made his aspiration at the feet of Dīpaṅkara Buddha until his rebirth in Tusita heaven after passing away from the existence as Vessantara, is called the Remote Introduction (Dūrenidāna).Tusitabhavanato pana cavitvā yāva bodhimaṇḍe sabbaññutappatti, tāva pavatto kathāmaggo avidūrenidānaṃ nāma.
The narrative course that occurred from his passing away from Tusita heaven until his attainment of omniscience at the Bodhi-maṇḍa, is called the Not-Too-Remote Introduction (Avidūrenidāna).Santikenidānaṃ pana tesu tesu ṭhānesu viharato tasmiṃ tasmiṃyeva ṭhāne labbhatīti.
The Immediate Introduction (Santikenidāna), however, is obtained in each respective place where the Buddha dwelled.— Jātakaṭṭhavaṇṇanā (Nidānakathā)
Textual References
- Canonical: Vessantara Jātaka (No. 547) – The epic, final birth story where the Bodhisatta perfects the paramī of generosity by giving away his kingdom, his children, and his wife.
- Commentary: Jātakaṭṭhavaṇṇanā (Nidānakathā) – The grand introduction to the Jātaka collection serving as the definitive orthodox biography of the Buddha from the time of his vow before Dīpaṅkara up to his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.