Great Gift and the Wish-Fulfilling Gem. A Jataka Tale, retold by Lama Mipham (Spiral Bound)

A child of India, seeing the misery of the poor, embarks on a magical journey across desert and ocean, to a jewel-island, to a cannibal-land, and finally to the realm of the dragon-like nagas, in search of a wondrous gem that can satisfy the needs of all beings.

The Jataka Tales celebrate the power of action motivated by compassion, love, wisdom, and kindness. The Teach that all we think and do profoundly affects the quality of our lives. Selfish words and deeds bring suffering to us and to those around us, while selfless actions contribute to a lighter, more joyful way of being that has the potential to uplift all forms of life.

The Jataka Tales, first related by the Buddha over two thousand years ago, bring to light his many lifetimes as an embodiment of great compassion, the great being appears in many forms and places to ease the suffering of living beings. Thus the Jataka Tales are filled with heroes of all kinds, each demonstrating the power of compassion and wisdom to transform any situation.