Leaves of the Heaven Tree: the great compassion of the Buddha

Treasured by all Buddhist traditions, these 108 teachings on karma both delight and instruct, illuminating every gesture we make and every action we perform. Springing forth like leaves from the tree of enlightened knowledge, they reveal precisely which actions lead to freedom and which enmesh us in suffering.

Seated beneath the Bodhi Tree at the time of enlightenment, the Buddha saw clearly how each action arises, matures, and creates the conditions for future actions, producing cycles of suffering or opening opportunities for realization. When his disciples asked why certain things happened, he showed the link between past and present by recounting his own previous lives and those of his disciples. Anyone who reads and remembers his compassionate words today can learn to protect the mind from suffering and awaken the heart of wisdom.

LEAVES OF THE HEAVEN TREE is based on a work by the eleventh-century Buddhist poet Ksemendra, who organized 108 Jatakas and Avadanas into a powerful masterpiece renowned for its clear elucidation of the buddha's teachings. In the nineteenth century, Ksemendra's work inspired the Tibetan master Padma Chophel to prepare a shorter version that is more accessible to the average reader.

Perceiving its value to Western Buddhists, Tarthang Tulku requested the translation of this work into English. LEAVES OF THE HEAVEN TREE is offered to illuminate the meaning of karma, convey the great compassion of the Buddha, and open the way to a happier, more satisfying life.

Preface
Introduction
The Awakening of King Prabhasa
The Generosity of King Sriesena
King Manicuda's Perfection of Giving
The Fall of King Mandhata
The Gift of King Candraprabha
Travels to the island of Badara
The Maiden Muktalata
The Householder Srigupta
Jyotiska's Realization
Born from the Womb
Nanda and Sundari
Virudhaka's Revenge
The Yaksa Haritaka
Performance of the Miracles
Descent from heaven
Destruction of the Boulder
Prophesy of Maitreya
The Justice of King Darsamukha
The Past Lives of Sariputra
Sronakotikarna Leanrs the Power of Karma
Amrapali and the King
Donation of the Grove
The Meeting of Father and Son
Visvantara's Perfection of Giving
The bodhisattva's Renunciation
The Conquest of Mara
The Origin of the Sakyas
The Merit of Srona Kotivimsa
The Elephant Dhanapala
The Patience of Kasisundara
Golden-Sides, the Deer Suvarnaparsva
The Trials of Kalyanakari
The Integrity of Prince Visakha
The Nagas Nanda and Upananda
The Householder Sudatta
Ghosila, the Honest Official
Purna's Power of Virtue
Mukapangu, the Idiot Cripple
The Sage Ksanti's Demonstration of Patience
The Fruition of Kapila's karma
The Conversion of King Udrayana
The Results of Pandita's Generosity
The Pure Conduct of King Kanakavarna
Hiranyapani's Hands of Gold
Ajatasatru's Treachery
Kritajna Discovers the Power of Truth
The Trunks of the Sala Trees
Sarvarthasiddha's Visit to the Naga Realm
Hastaka's Good Fortune
Performing the Ten Actions
The Lady Rukmavati
Adinapunya Offers His Life
Subhasitagavesin, Seeker of Wisdom
Sattvausadha's Power of Healing
King Sarvadana's Act of Mercy
Subjugation of the Naga Gopapala
Building of the Stupas
King Punyabala's Practice of Giving
The Trials of Asoka's Son Kunala
The Naga Kumara's Request
The Farmer's Pure Offering
Yasoda Becomes an Arhat
Mahakasyapa's Home-Departure
Sudhana and the Kinnara Maden
Ekasringa's Decision
Kavikumara's Retribution
Sangarakshita's Spiritual Journey
Padmavati's Ordeal
Consecration of the Dharma King
The Arhat Madhyantika in Kashmire
Sanavaskia's Humility
Upagupta's Conquest of Mara
A Letter to the Nagas
Asoka Offers the Earth
The Teaching of Pratityasamutpada
The Sea Monster Vidura
The Conversion of Kaineyaka
The Fall of Sakra
Mahendrasena's Burden of Sealth
Subhadra, the Buddha's Last Disciple
Hetuttama: The Power of Refuge
Deceit Leadint to Hell
Rahula's Six Years in the Womb
The Arhat Madhurasvara
The Generosity of Prince Hitaisin
The Partridge's Power of Virtue
Padmaka's Ordeal
The Son of Hastisayyati
The Liberation of Dharmaruci
Dhanika's Offerings
The Eloquence of King Sibi
The Daughter of Maitra
The Pure Mind of Sumagadha

Yasomitra's Nectar of Merit
The Rigress: the Karma of Generosity
The Compassionate Elephant
The Tortoise's Gift
The Strength of Spirituality
King Padmaka's Wishing Prayer
Punyaprabhasa and the Karma of Desire
The Filial Love of Syamaka
The Compassionate Lion
Prince Priyapinda's Conciliation
The Rabbit's Selfless Offering
The Karma of the Sage Raivata
The Integrity of Prince Kanakavarman
The Householder Suddhodana's Wealth
Jimutavahana's Sacrifice
Colophon
Pronouncing Sanskrit
Index