For this discussion, you are asked to read a Jataka (meaning “birth”) tale called “The Great Dream”.
Jatakas are stories about the former lives of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha about which you
have read in Chapter Two. These stories originated in ancient India, between roughly 300 BCE and 400
CE, and were collected together in Buddhist canons and writings. In these stories, the Buddha appears in
various roles, such as an animal or king, and through his words and deeds offers a moral lesson. In this
regard, the tales are not unlike Aesop’s Fables. Scholars have noted, however, that most of these tales
were not necessarily Buddhist in origin, but rather adopted a Buddhist setting to convey a moral allegory
and social commentary. Also, historians find that these tales offer insight into ancient India’s societies and
popular culture.
For this discussion, in 2-3 substantial paragraphs, please explain the lesson or lessons the story is trying
to convey. Furthermore, examine the author’s social commentary. For instance, what we can learn about
the author’s (or authors’) opinion of Brahmins, gender roles, and the signs of society in decline? [Note: In
the document, the Buddha is referred to as the “Chief Brahmin”.]
Sample Solution
