Collects eighteen fables from the Jatakas of India.

Whereas Western intellectuals seek the essence of Buddhism in its doctrines and meditation practices, the traditional Buddhists of Asia absorb the ideas and values of their spiritual heritage through its rich narrative literature about the Buddha and his disciples. The most popular collection of Buddhist stories is, without doubt, the Jatakas. These are the stories of the Buddha's past births, relating his experiences as he passed from life to life on the way to becoming a Buddha. At times he takes the form of a bird, at times he is born as a hare, a monkey, a prince, a merchant, or an ascetic, but in each case he uses the challenges he meets to grow in generosity, virtue, patience, wisdom, and compassion.This anthology of Jatakas, ably told by Ken and Visakha Kawasaki, remains faithful to the original yet presents the stories in clear and simple language. It thereby makes the Jatakas accessible even to young readers and to those for whom English is not their first language.

The beautifully illustrated '365 Jataka Tales' impart ancient Buddhist wisdom and moral guidance in an easy and entertaining manner. These stories of the Bodhisattva, or Buddha-to-be, are tales from the previous lives of Buddha, where born as animal or human, he had to experience many a moral and ethical dilemma before attaining enlightenment. This book is the ideal gift for children, encouraging a more wholesome, positive and responsible outlook to life.

"Ellen C. Babbitt has collected, and retold, the best thirty-nine of the 547 Jataka Tales. These charming fables originated in India sometime around the fifth century, and have been teaching children valuable lessons ever since."