A Study of Cultural Praxis of Jataka as Depicted in Ancient Indian Art With Special Reference of Sanchi and Bharahut

Abstract

Pali Jand#257;taka, as it looks now, has been on an exciting and transformational journey. newlineAccording to Buddhist literature, until the early years of the Christian period or earlier, newlinethere were certain members of the Buddhist Samgha known as Jand#257;taka Band#257;hnka who newlinewere the bearers of these scriptures in oral form. It is believed that these stories were newlineinspired by many existent folk traditions of the period and adapted to the extent that it is newlinesuitable for Buddhist teachings. They were formed in verses based on then-folklore by newlineadapting renowned stories. Since, these verses were in the language of the common newlinepeople and wrapped in his moral teachings, and also promoted in a very strategic manner newlineby Samgha, they got fame among the common people very soon. In a general sense, by newlineadopting partial changes during exchange in oral form from one mouth to another, and newlinetaking new shapes, these were eventually compiled as a collective text which was placed newlinein the Pali Canon and after a long run till they attained to their present form. In the course newlineof time, Jataka stories were not only presented in a new form adapting to original newlineBuddhist teachings, but were also adopted in art form and carved at various Buddhist newlinesites as a part of living monuments. newlineAlthough, the purpose of Jand#257;taka tales was to introduce the Moksha elements of beings newlineto the common folk and also to the scholars, in a beautiful and childlike manner, newlinenevertheless, as seen in the previous chapters, these Jand#257;takas and their descriptions are newlineused as an important historical source. It is necessary to clarify here that in the newlinedescription of these Jand#257;taka tales, the social conditions of the time of Buddha were not newlinedescribed, but this art displays a glimpse of the socio-cultural conditions of the newlinemanifestation period of these Jand#257;taka arts. newline