Vessantara Jātaka (වෙසන්තර ජාතකය) — Generosity (Dāna Pāramitā / දාන පාරමිතා)
Prince Vessantara of the Sivi kingdom was famed for his limitless generosity (දාන). When a neighboring land begged for the rain-bringing royal elephant, he gave it freely. The people, fearing drought, banished him to the forest. On the way, he continued to give: his chariot to travelers, his possessions to those in need, his children to a brahmin, and even his queen to a wandering ascetic — each gift made with a mind free of attachment (අනලස්ස). The gods, moved by his sacrifice, intervened, restoring his family and honoring his virtue.
Lesson: True giving is fearless and unattached; generosity flowers when the heart releases its grasp.
Sīlava Jātaka (ශීලව ජාතකය) — Morality (Sīla Pāramitā / ශීල පාරමිතා)
As a just ruler, the Bodhisatta upheld moral discipline (ශීල) without compromise. Tempted with wealth and threatened by force, he refused to break the precepts (පඤ්ච ශීල). His court learned that virtue is not selective — it is a continuous guard. Through steadfast morality, the kingdom found trust, stability, and the courage to resist corruption.
Lesson: Morality is the foundation stone; a life anchored in precepts remains unshaken by fortune or fear.
Nemi Jātaka (නෙමි ජාතකය) — Renunciation (Nekkhamma Pāramitā / නෙක්ඛම්ම පාරමිතා)
King Nemi journeyed to the heavenly realms, witnessing celestial bliss. He also beheld the torments of hell, understanding the law of karma and the impermanence (අනිච්ච) of all conditions. Choosing the path of renunciation (නෙක්ඛම්ම), he returned with the insight that clinging binds beings to suffering. He taught his people the joy found in simplicity and the freedom in letting go.
Lesson: Renunciation cuts the roots of craving; contentment grows where grasping ends.
Mahosadha Jātaka (මහෝසධ ජාතකය) — Wisdom (Paññā Pāramitā / ප්රඥා පාරමිතා)
Mahosadha, a brilliant sage, guarded his kingdom through insight (ප්රඥා) rather than force. He unraveled riddles, exposed treachery, and resolved disputes that would have torn the realm apart. His wisdom was compassionate: he saw through appearances and acted for the well-being of all, proving that clear seeing is the greatest protection.
Lesson: Wisdom perceives causes and consequences; with insight, the right action becomes evident.
Canda Kumāra Jātaka (චන්ද කුමාර ජාතකය) — Energy (Viriya Pāramitā / වීරිය පාරමිතා)
As Prince Canda Kumāra, the Bodhisatta embodied tireless effort (වීරිය). He rose before dawn to train his mind and body, defended the innocent, and never yielded to sloth (උස්සද). Even when trials mounted, he pressed forward with courageous energy, revealing that diligence is the force that carries virtue into the world.
Lesson: Energy sustains each step on the path; diligence turns aspiration into lived virtue.
Bhūridatta Jātaka (භූරිදත්ත ජාතකය) — Patience (Khanti Pāramitā / ඛන්ති පාරමිතා)
Born as the naga prince Bhūridatta, the Bodhisatta practiced patience (ඛන්ති) and restraint. Captured by snake-charmers, he bore humiliation and pain without hatred, protecting others from harm through his forbearance. His calm endurance transformed cruelty into compassion in the hearts of those who witnessed it.
Lesson: Patience disarms aggression; endurance with compassion changes the fabric of conflict.
Mūgapakkha / Temiya Jātaka (මුගපක්ඛ / තෙමිය කුමාර ජාතකය) — Truthfulness (Sacca Pāramitā / සච්ච පාරමිතා)
As Prince Temiya, the Bodhisatta recognized that ruling would entail acts against Dharma. To avoid wrongdoing, he feigned muteness and weakness for years, enduring misunderstanding and hardship. When the test came, he revealed his integrity: better to be thought flawed than to commit unjust deeds.
Lesson: Truthfulness stands firm against expediency; integrity is the quiet strength that refuses harm.
Mahājanaka Jātaka (මහාජනක ජාතකය) — Determination (Adhiṭṭhāna Pāramitā / අධිඨාන පාරමිතා)
Shipwrecked far from shore, Mahājanaka swam for seven days and nights, sustained by pure determination (අධිඨාන). He refused despair, guiding his mind with steady resolve until rescued by a celestial being. Later, as king, he taught perseverance in governance and practice: unwavering resolve brings safe passage through great trials.
Lesson: Determination turns impossibility into a path; resolve is the oar that carries the heart across.
Sama Jātaka (සම ජාතකය) — Loving‑kindness (Mettā Pāramitā / මෙට්ටා පාරමිතා)
Sama lived in the forest, caring for his blind parents with tender loving‑kindness (මෙට්ටා). Struck by a hunter’s arrow, he remained free of hatred, and through his compassion, healing arose. His devotion taught the villagers that kindness is strength and care is wisdom in action.
Lesson: Loving‑kindness protects and heals; a gentle heart is an unbreakable shield.
Vidhura Jātaka (විධුර ජාතකය) — Equanimity (Upekkhā Pāramitā / උපෙක්ඛා පාරමිතා)
Sage Vidhura was seized by a naga king and carried to the underworld. He remained even‑minded (උපෙක්ඛා), teaching truth without fear, consoling the afflicted, and advising rulers with balance. His composure turned peril into a field of learning, showing that a steady mind can guide all beings toward peace.
Lesson: Equanimity holds steady in joy and sorrow; balance reveals the way through extremes.