Author: Stanley Frye
Translator(s): Stanley Frye
Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives
Year: 2000
Language: English
Pages: 251
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8185102155
Description
One of the great treasures of Buddhist literature, is mDo-mdzangs-blun or the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish as it is known to the Mongols. The text was translated to Mongolian from Tibetan as the Uliger-un delai or Ocean of Narratives. It is one of the most interesting, enjoyable and readable Buddhist scriptures.
For centuries, it has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration, instruction and pleasure for all who have been able to read it. The history of this unusual scriptures is still uncertain. Legend has it that the tales were heard in Khotan by Chinese monks, who translated them (but from what language?) into Chinese, from which it was translated into Tibetan, then into Mongolian and Oirat.
The Narratives are Jatakas, or rebirth stories, tracing the causes of present tragedy in human lives to events which took place in former lifetimes. The theme of each narrative is the same: the tragedy of the human condition, the reason for this tragedy and the possibility of transcending it. But unlike Greek tragedy, Buddhist tragedy is never an end in itself, i.e. a catharsis, but a call to transcend that which can be transcended and need not be endlessly endured.
The people we meet in the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, although supposedly living in the India of the Buddha’s time, might also be living at present in New York City, a small rural town or Leningrad, and the problems they face are the same problems that men have had to face always and everywhere. Herein lies the timeless appeal of this profound Buddhist scripture.
Contents
Foreword
The Beginning of the Narratives
Prince Mahasattva Gives His Body to the Tigress
The Mendicant Keeps the Precepts
The boy Who Sold Himself to Make an Offering
The Sea-God Asks Questions
The Devaputra Gangadhara
Prince Swasti
Vajra, the Daughter of King Prasenajit
Golden Gem
Flower of the Gods
Jewel of the Gods
Ksantivadin, or the Patient Rishi
King Maitrabala Makes a Gift
The Taming of the Six-Heretic Teachers
The Kunda Beast Gives His Body
In Praise of the Blessing of the Monk
The Monk Keeps the Precepts
The Householder Without Organs
The Beggar Woman Gives her Clothing
The Slave Woman Sells her Poverty to the Monk Mahakatyayana
Golden God
The Man with Two Families
King Chandraprabha Gives His Head
The Seven Sons of Minister Mrgara
Maha Kapina
Utpala the Nun
Sudolagarne
King Asoka
The Pot of Gold
Joy, the Brahmin’s wife
Great Charity Goes to the Sea
King Mirror-Face
Good Searcher and Evil Searcher
Prince Virtuous
The Householder named Pacifier
The Prince Whose Eyes Were Opened
Angulimala, or Finger-Necklace
The Beggar-Woman Named Relying on Joy
Bhasicara
The Householder Dandadhara
Excellent Honey
The Householder Tasila
Elephant Helper
The Brahmin Gives Patches
The First Compassion of the Buddha
King Forehead-Born
The Ten Sons of Sumana
Upagupta
The Five Hundred Swans Who Were Born as Gods
The Lion With the Firm Mind
The History of the Lizard
The Monk Kyunte