Abstract:
There are narrative literatures for every religion to communicate their teachings.
Birth and perfections of the Bodhisatva has cited by the jātaka literature which
is the main narrative literature in Theravada Buddhism. Avadāna means exploit
or heroic actions, which is like a Sanskrit Avadāna literature. But that is more
equal to jātaka because of the discussion of bodhisattva. The main object of
this study is identification of the differences of objects, structure, circumstances
and manner of the two literatures. It has used primary and secondary sources
of jātaka and avadāna for this research.
Jātka has depended on ancient Indian literature and primary Buddhism.
Viewpoint of the jātaka is representing behaviors of the bodhisattva underneath
the Theravada Buddhism. That is famous as a miracle of fulfill the perfections.
But we can see the flash back of Gautama Buddha. It has a respective
structure which is mentioned past and future stories and the combination.
Awadāna adjusted influence of Sanskrit literature. This is wondrous comment
the bodhisattva character and highlighted him than the Buddha. Further in
awadāna have past, future and advices. But that is not a method only a simple
structure. Occasionally in awadāna, Buddha preach the future things behalf of
the past story. According to that the bodhisattva concept in Mahayana tradition
has commented. Kuddaka nikāya and some suttas in Theravada buddhism has
assisted to awadāna, which had not disclosed the Mahayana theories. Pali
jātaka also not highlighted the teravāda concepts or theories. According to
that both literatures has wished to socialize base practices for spiritual life.
