Question

The total numbers of Jataka Stories are about:

• A. 500
• B. 900
• C. 181
• D. 1008

Hint:

Jataka tales are moral stories from the previous lives of Buddha, widely used to spread Buddhism among the masses.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding Jataka Stories.
The Jataka stories are a collection of tales about the previous births of Gautama Buddha.
They describe Buddha’s earlier lives in both human and animal forms, where he practiced virtues like compassion, wisdom, and sacrifice.
Step 2: Number of Jataka stories.
According to the Pali Canon, there are nearly 500 Jataka tales.
These stories were meant to spread Buddhist moral teachings among common people.
Step 3: Option analysis.
- (A) 500: Correct. Traditional accounts mention about 500 stories.
- (B) 900: Too high, not historically accurate.
- (C) 181: Too few compared to the actual collection.
- (D) 1008: Incorrect, as this number is symbolic in other traditions, not Buddhism.
Step 4: Conclusion.
The total number of Jataka stories is about 500.