On the Jataka's lessons on generosity: (relevant
quotes at end of post)

What exactly is the lesson we're supposed to learn
from these Jataka examples of "generosity"? Is it
generosity or extreme stupidity?

What possible good could come from me plucking my eyes
out and giving it to a beggar? Or sacrificing my life
to a hungry tiger? This makes no sense. If I'm a
bodhisattva in a human form, I guarantee I can do a
lot more good alive than throwing my life away to be
one single meal for a stupid tiger who will get hungry
in a week anyway.

How the heck did this Jataka junk get into the
Buddhist canon? At the next buddhist council, if I'm
running the show, the Jataka Tales are GONE.

-fk

>
> The Bodhisatta once as king Sivi gave
> both his eyes to a beggar who was Sakka the
> king deity in disguise, who desired to test him.
> He remembered "While I was wishing to give,
> while I was giving and after this giving there
> was neither contrariety nor opposition in mind as
> it was for the purpose of awakening itself!
> Neither were these eyes nor the rest of myself
> disagreeable to me. Omniscience was dear to me,
> therefore I gave the eyes."
>
> The Basket of Conduct
> Cariyapitaka I-8
> Full story: Sivi Jataka no. 499.
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
> The Bodhisatta once as the Wise Hare gave
> his roasted body as alms by jumping into a fire:
> He remembered: "There came a beggar and asked
> for food. Myself I gave so that he might eat. In
> alms
> there was none equal to me. In alms I had thereby
> reached ultimate perfection."
> From then & the rest of this world-cycle the moon
> will display a characteristic 'hare-in-the-moon'
> sign.
>
> Sasa-Jataka no. 316
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
> Giving of things, treasures, external possessions,
> job,
> position, wife, & child is the first perfection of
> giving.
> Giving the offer of one's organs, limbs, & senses
> is
> the second higher perfection of giving.
> Giving the sacrifice of one's life is the ultimate
> perfection of giving.
>
> The clarifier of sweet meaning 89
> (Commentary on Buddhavamsa)
> Madhuratthavilasini [59]
> Buddhadatta: 5th century.
>
>
>
> ---
>
>

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