Treasury of Wise Action: collection of jataka tales (for older children)

A new collection of Jataka Tales for ages 4 - 10

Twenty-two Asian folktales celebrate the power of action motivated by compassion, love and wisdom. These are stories to read again and again with a heart attuned to the knowledge they awaken within


The Jataka Tales celebrate the power of action motivated by compassion, love, wisdom and kindness. They teach that all we think and do profoundly affects the quality of our lives. Selfish words and deeds bring suffering to us and to those around us, while selfless action gives rise to goodness of such power that it spreads in ever-widening circles, uplifting all forms of life.

The Jatakas, first related by the Buddha over two thousand years ago, bring to light his many lifetimes of positive action practiced for the sake of the world. As an embodiment of great compassion, the Awakened One reappears in many forms, in many times and places to ease the suffering of living beings. Thus these accounts are filled with heroes of all kinds, each demonstrating the power of compassion and wisdom to transform any situation.

Based on traditional texts, the stories in the Jataka Tales Series have been adapted for the children of today. May these tales inspire the positive action that will sustain the heart of goodness and the light of wisdom for the future of the world.

-Tarthang Tulku, Founder, Dharma Publishing

Publisher's Introduction

King Banyan Deer
The Elephant and the King
The King's Charger
The Merchant Who Persevered
How the Poor Traveler Became Rich
the Crocodile and the Gorilla
The Foolish Monkeys
The Two Merchants
The What-Fruit Tree
The Kingshk Tree and the Four Princes
The Monster of the Lotus Lake
Prince Samvara and the Ninety_nine Princes
The Golden Bowl
The Lion's Skin
The Monkey and the Peas
The Turtle and the Swans
The Woodcutter King
The Serpent and His Jewel
The Lion and the Jackal
The Serpent and the Garuda
The Two Billionaires
The Two Brothers

Glossary