batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l16938-l17079
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l16938-l17079
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
passage_locator:
label: INDIAN TALES FROM TIBETAN SOURCES. / THE RELIGIONS OF INDIA. / BY A. BARTH.
/ FOOTNOTES:; lines 16938-17079
start: '16938'
end: '17079'
translation: Buddhist birth stories; or, Jataka tales, Volume 1
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage consists of notes and quoted verses attached to Jātaka material.
It reports that the Buddha uttered a Dhammapada verse denying that external austerities
purify a person troubled by doubt, gives cross-references to similar verses or
sentiments in other Buddhist and Indian works, explains doctrinal terms such as
kilesa and Nirvāna, and includes verses analyzing the body as impure and deceptive
in appearance.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage states that, after telling a Birth Story, the Buddha uttered the
141st verse of the Dhamma-pada.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The quoted verse lists nakedness, plaited hair, dirt, fasting, lying on the
ground, dust and ashes, and hard vigils, and says these do not purify a person
still troubled by doubt.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The note says the same verse occurs in a Chinese work and that the same or
similar sentiment occurs in the Āmagandha Sutta, the Mahā-Bhārata, and the Divyāvadāna.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The passage glosses kilesā as imperfections including acquisitiveness, ill-temper,
dullness of perception, vanity, wrong views, doubt, sloth, arrogance, lack of
self-respect, and lack of respect for public opinion.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: The word translated as “Happiness” is explained as also being a name for Arahatship
or Nirvāna.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The body-verses describe the body as bound by bones and sinews, covered with
flesh and skin, and filled with organs, fluids, and impurities.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: The body-verses state that impurity flows from nine orifices and that the
body only appears beautiful to a fool.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: The body is compared to an upas-tree and to a filthy corpse in the quoted
verses.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: A note states that women among early Buddhists are several times declared
to have reached the highest result, Nirvāna.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: The Buddha
description: Speaker said to have uttered the 141st Dhamma-pada verse after a Birth
Story.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Person tossed on waves of doubt
description: The person whom the verse says cannot be purified by external austerities
while still troubled by doubt.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: The fool
description: A person who thinks the body beautiful and bright despite the body-verses’
description of its contents.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Women among early Buddhists
description: Women described in the note as being several times declared to have
reached the highest result of Nirvāna.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: teacher uttering doctrinal verse
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The note states that the Buddha uttered the Dhamma-pada verse after the Birth
Story.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: unpurified doubter
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The verse says austerities cannot purify the man still tossed on waves of
doubt.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: deluded evaluator of the body
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The verses say the fool thinks the body beautiful and bright.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: attainer of highest spiritual result
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The note says women are several times declared to have reached Nirvāna.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: external austerity markers
literal_form: nakedness, plaited hair, dirt, fasting, lying on the ground, dust
and ashes, hard vigils
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: waves of doubt
literal_form: waves of doubt
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: impure composite body
literal_form: body made of bones, sinews, flesh, skin, organs, fluids, and impurities
from nine orifices
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: upas-tree comparison
literal_form: body resembling an upas-tree
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: filthy corpse comparison
literal_form: body like a filthy corpse
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Rejection of external austerity as purification
summary: The Buddha is said to utter a verse saying that visible ascetic practices
do not purify a person who remains in doubt.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Contemplation of the body’s impurity
summary: Verses describe the body’s hidden internal parts, fluids, and impurities,
and say that only a fool regards it as beautiful.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:3
label: Explanation of Nirvāna as highest result
summary: Notes explain Happiness and the chief Fruit as names or results connected
with Arahatship and Nirvāna, and state that women are among those declared to
attain it.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: external ascetic signs do not purify inner doubt
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The verse explicitly denies purifying power to nakedness, matted or plaited
hair, dirt, fasting, ground-lying, ashes, and vigils when doubt remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: This is a doctrinal verse rather than a full narrative episode.
- id: motif:2
label: body contemplated as impure beneath deceptive appearance
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The body-verses enumerate internal parts and impurities, contrast appearance
with reality, and call the admirer of bodily beauty a fool.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents this as didactic reflection, not as an enacted story.
- id: motif:3
label: attainment of Nirvāna as highest happiness
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The notes identify Happiness with Arahatship or Nirvāna and describe Nirvāna
as the chief Fruit or highest result.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives explanatory notes rather than a narrative of attainment.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage states that the same Dhammapada verse occurs in a Chinese work
translated by Beal.
claim_level: linguistic_similarity
target: Chinese work translated by Mr. Beal, The Dhammapada, etc., p. 96
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage reports the parallel bibliographically and does not quote
the Chinese version.
- id: claim:2
claim: The passage states that the same or similar sentiment about external austerity
and purification occurs in other Buddhist and Indian texts.
claim_level: same_function
target: Āmagandha Sutta, Mahā-Bhārata iii.13445, and Divyāvadāna
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage summarizes the relationship as shared sentiment and gives
no extended parallel text.
- id: claim:3
claim: The passage says the Introductory Story to Jātaka No. 32 is another version
of the tale of the luxurious monk.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Introductory Story to Jātaka No. 32
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The present excerpt identifies the relationship but does not narrate
the luxurious monk tale.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 16938-17079, note [266]
quote_or_summary: The note says the Buddha uttered Dhamma-pada verse 141 after the
Birth Story, and that the Introductory Story to No. 32 is another version of the
tale of the luxurious monk.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 16938-17079, note [268]
quote_or_summary: "“Not nakedness, not plaited hair, not dirt, / Not fasting oft,
nor lying on the ground; / Not dust and ashes, nor vigils hard and stern, / Can
purify that man who still is tossed / Upon the waves of doubt!”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 16938-17079, note [268]
quote_or_summary: The note says the same verse occurs in a Chinese work translated
by Beal, and that a similar or same sentiment appears in the Āmagandha Sutta,
the Mahā-Bhārata, and the Divyāvadāna.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 16938-17079, note [274]
quote_or_summary: The note explains kilesā as imperfections including acquisitiveness,
ill-temper, dullness, vanity, wrong views, doubt, sloth, arrogance, and failures
of self-respect and public respect.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 16938-17079, notes [277] and [284]
quote_or_summary: The notes explain that “Happiness” is also a name of Arahatship
or Nirvāna, and that the chief Fruit refers to Nirvāna itself.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 16938-17079, note [283], body-verses
quote_or_summary: The verses describe the body as bound with bones and sinews, covered
by flesh and skin, and filled with organs, mucus, sweat, fat, blood, bile, marrow,
and other matter.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 16938-17079, note [283], body-verses
quote_or_summary: The verses say impurity flows from nine orifices, that a fool
thinks the body beautiful, and that the body resembles an upas-tree and a filthy
corpse.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 16938-17079, note [284]
quote_or_summary: The note says it is striking that women among early Buddhists
are several times declared to have reached the highest result of intellectual
activity and earnest zeal, namely Nirvāna.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage is primarily footnotes and didactic quotation rather than a continuous
mythic narrative. Motifs are therefore extracted as doctrinal-symbolic patterns
explicitly present in the excerpt.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No taxonomy identifiers beyond the supplied motif family and symbol labels were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg__l16938-l17079
passage_sha256=a54d7bde45a159ed345ce3f5c64f8c345def0b1b591e9b9cc01677261d8d4d90