batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l4995-l5142
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l4995-l5142
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
passage_locator:
label: TABLE VII. / THE BODISATS. / TABLE VIII. / THE DISTANT EPOCH.; lines 4995-5142
start: '4995'
end: '5142'
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 describes qualities of beings destined to Buddhahood and summarizes
many former births in which the Bodisat fulfilled perfections: almsgiving, goodness,
renunciation, wisdom, resolution, patience, truth, good-will, and equanimity.
It gives brief examples including self-offering as the Wise Hare, non-anger under
torture, renouncing a kingdom, discovering a snake hidden in bellows, crossing
the Great Ocean, lying in a cemetery on dead bones, and shaking the earth through
Vessantara’s generosity before rebirth in Tusita heaven.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage states that men destined to Buddhahood are not found among women,
hermaphrodites, or eunuchs, are free from deadly sins, perceive the working of
Karma, are bent on renunciation, and act for the world’s welfare while fulfilling
all perfection.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The Bodisat is described as having no limit to the existences in which he
fulfilled the Perfection of Almsgiving.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: In the Birth as the Wise Hare, the Bodisat saw someone coming for food and
offered his own self, giving up his life for the Perfection of Almsgiving.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: In examples of the Perfection of Goodness, the Bodisat is associated with
snake-king births and, in the Saŋkhapāla Birth, was pierced with stakes and struck
with javelins without anger toward the sons of Bhoja.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: In examples of the Perfection of Renunciation, the Bodisat forsook or rejected
a kingdom.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: In the Sattubhatta Birth as the wise man Senaka, the Bodisat set a brahman
free from pain by pointing out a snake that had entered bellows.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: In the Mahā-Janaka Birth, the Bodisat crossed the Great Ocean when the shore
was out of sight and all men were as if dead.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: In the Khantivāda Birth, the Bodisat was struck with a sharp axe and was not
angry with the king of Kāsi.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: In the Mahā-Sutasoma Birth, the Bodisat guarded truth, offered up his life,
and delivered one hundred warriors.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: In the Mūgapakkha Birth, the Bodisat states that father, mother, and reputation
were not hated, but omniscience was dear, so he remained firm in duty.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: In the Ekarāja Birth, the Bodisat states that no man terrifies him, he fears
no man, and he delights in purity while firm in kindness.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: In the Somahaŋsa Birth, the Bodisat lay in a cemetery using dead bones as
a pillow; village children mocked and praised him, and villagers tried to vex
or please him by spitting or offering garlands and perfumes.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: In the Vessantara birth, the Bodisat’s free-giving is said to have shaken
the earth seven times.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: After the Vessantara birth, the Bodisat passed away and reassumed existence
in the Tusita heaven; the passage identifies this as the period from the Resolution
at the feet of Dīpaŋkara to the City of Delight.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Bodisat / he
description: The central being destined to Buddhahood, described across many former
births as fulfilling perfections.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: one coming for food
description: A person seen by the Wise Hare, for whom the Bodisat offered his own
self.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: sons of Bhoja
description: Those who pierced and struck the Bodisat in the Saŋkhapāla Birth.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: brahman
description: A brahman whom the Bodisat as Senaka freed from pain.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: snake in the bellows
description: A snake that had got into the bellows and was pointed out by Senaka.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: king of Kāsi
description: The king who struck the Bodisat with a sharp axe in the Khantivāda
Birth.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: hundred warriors
description: A group delivered by the Bodisat in the Mahā-Sutasoma Birth.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: village children and villagers
description: People who mocked, praised, vexed, or pleased the Bodisat in the Somahaŋsa
Birth.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Dīpaŋkara
description: Named as the figure at whose feet the Resolution marks the beginning
point of the Dūrenidāna period.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Bodisat fulfilling perfections
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage repeatedly says that the Bodisat fulfilled named perfections
across many existences.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:2
label: recipient of almsgiving
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The figure comes for food and receives the Wise Hare’s self-offering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: tester or afflicter
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:8
basis: These figures wound, strike, mock, praise, vex, or please the Bodisat in
exemplary trials.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:11
- id: role:4
label: rescued or delivered figure
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:7
basis: The brahman is freed from pain, and the hundred warriors are delivered.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: temporal reference figure
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Dīpaŋkara is mentioned as the figure at whose feet the Resolution begins
the Dūrenidāna period.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: serpent or snake
literal_form: Snake kings and a snake hidden in bellows
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: Great Ocean
literal_form: Waters with the shore out of sight
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: renounced kingdom
literal_form: A kingdom rejected like spittle
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: weapons of affliction
literal_form: Stakes, javelins, and a sharp axe
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: cemetery and dead bones
literal_form: A cemetery and dead bones used as a pillow
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:6
label: earth shaken seven times
literal_form: The earth shaken seven times by free-giving’s power
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:7
label: Tusita heaven / City of Delight
literal_form: Heavenly rebirth destination after the Vessantara birth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Qualities of Bodisats
summary: The passage lists traits and restrictions associated with men destined
to Buddhahood, including purity, perception of Karma, renunciation, and action
for the world’s welfare.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Wise Hare self-offering
summary: In the Wise Hare birth, the Bodisat offers his own self to someone seeking
food and is said to perfect almsgiving.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Goodness under violent injury
summary: In the Saŋkhapāla Birth, the Bodisat is pierced and struck but does not
become angry with the sons of Bhoja.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Renunciation of royal power
summary: In renunciation examples, the Bodisat forsakes or rejects a kingdom as
part of fulfilling the Perfection of Renunciation.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Senaka discovers the snake
summary: As the wise man Senaka, the Bodisat identifies a snake hidden in bellows
and frees a brahman from pain.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Crossing the Great Ocean
summary: In the Mahā-Janaka Birth, the Bodisat crosses the Great Ocean when the
shore cannot be seen and others are as if dead.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Patience before the king of Kāsi
summary: In the Khantivāda Birth, the Bodisat is struck with a sharp axe and remains
free from anger.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:8
label: Truth and deliverance
summary: In the Mahā-Sutasoma Birth, the Bodisat guards truth, offers up his life,
and delivers one hundred warriors.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:9
label: Cemetery equanimity
summary: In the Somahaŋsa Birth, the Bodisat lies in a cemetery on dead bones while
villagers mock, praise, vex, and please him; he remains indifferent.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: scene:10
label: Vessantara’s giving and Tusita rebirth
summary: In the Vessantara birth, the Bodisat’s generosity shakes the earth seven
times; after death he is reborn in Tusita heaven, concluding the distant epoch
described here.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:13
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Accumulation of perfections across many births
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage repeatedly says there is no limit to the existences in which
the Bodisat fulfilled specific perfections.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is a summary list rather than a full narrative for each birth.
- id: motif:2
label: Self-offering as supreme almsgiving
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- sacred_exchange
basis: The Wise Hare offers his own self and life to one coming for food, thereby
acquiring the Supreme Perfection of Almsgiving.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives only a compressed reference to the fuller birth story.
- id: motif:3
label: Virtue maintained under torture or assault
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: The Bodisat remains without anger while pierced, struck with javelins, or
struck with a sharp axe.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy has no exact category for patience under violence;
the initiation reference is only approximate.
- id: motif:4
label: Renunciation of kingship
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The Bodisat rejects or forsakes a kingdom as part of the Perfection of Renunciation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not narrate the departure in detail.
- id: motif:5
label: Wisdom reveals a hidden serpent
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
- serpent
basis: As Senaka, the Bodisat uses wisdom to identify a snake hidden in bellows
and free a brahman from pain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not explain the surrounding problem beyond the snake
in the bellows.
- id: motif:6
label: Resolute ocean crossing
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: In the Mahā-Janaka Birth, the Bodisat crosses the Great Ocean with the shore
out of sight and others as if dead, exemplifying Resolution.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is approximate because the passage emphasizes resolution
rather than a fully described quest.
- id: motif:7
label: Truth upheld at risk of life
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: In the Mahā-Sutasoma Birth, the Bodisat guards the word of Truth, offers
up his life, and delivers one hundred warriors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The compressed summary does not specify the circumstances of the danger.
- id: motif:8
label: Equanimity in the cemetery
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: In the Somahaŋsa Birth, the Bodisat lies on dead bones in a cemetery and
remains indifferent to mockery, praise, spitting, garlands, and perfumes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The initiation taxonomy reference is approximate; the passage explicitly
frames the scene as equanimity.
- id: motif:9
label: Virtuous generosity shakes the earth
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: In the Vessantara birth, free-giving has a mighty power that shakes the earth
seven times.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the event as a brief summary rather than a complete
miracle narrative.
- id: motif:10
label: Death and heavenly rebirth
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
- ascent
basis: After passing away from the Vessantara birth, the Bodisat reassumes existence
in the Tusita heaven.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states rebirth in heaven but does not describe the transition
process.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 4995-5010; stanzas 255-258
quote_or_summary: 'Bodisats destined to Buddhahood are described by traits and exclusions:
purity, freedom from deadly sins, perception of Karma, renunciation, world-welfare,
and fulfillment of perfection.'
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: summary
locator: lines 5011-5028; stanza 259
quote_or_summary: Among many almsgiving births, the Wise Hare sees one coming for
food and offers his own self, giving up his life to acquire the Supreme Perfection
of Almsgiving.
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:3
type: summary
locator: lines 5029-5040; stanza 260
quote_or_summary: In births including snake-king lives and the Saŋkhapāla Birth,
the Bodisat is pierced with stakes and struck with javelins but is not angry with
the sons of Bhoja, fulfilling Goodness.
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 5041-5052; stanza 261
quote_or_summary: In renunciation births, the Bodisat forsakes his kingdom; in the
Cūla-Sutasoma Birth he rejects royal power and acquires the Perfection of Renunciation.
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 5053-5065; stanza 262
quote_or_summary: In the Sattubhatta Birth as Senaka, the Bodisat uses wisdom to
free a brahman from pain by pointing out a snake that had entered the bellows.
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 5066-5073; stanza 263
quote_or_summary: In the Mahā-Janaka Birth, with the shore out of sight in the midst
of the waters and all men as if dead, the Bodisat crosses the Great Ocean and
acquires Resolution.
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 5074-5082; stanza 264
quote_or_summary: In the Khantivāda Birth, the Bodisat is struck with a sharp axe
as if senseless and is not angry with the king of Kāsi, acquiring Patience.
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 5083-5090; stanza 265
quote_or_summary: In the Mahā-Sutasoma Birth, the Bodisat guards the word of Truth,
offers up his life, and delivers one hundred warriors, obtaining the Perfection
of Truth.
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:9
type: summary
locator: lines 5091-5098; stanza 266
quote_or_summary: In the Mūgapakkha Birth, the Bodisat values Omniscience and remains
firm in duty, even offering up his life to acquire Resolution.
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:10
type: summary
locator: lines 5099-5106; stanza 267
quote_or_summary: In the Ekarāja Birth, the Bodisat declares fearlessness and delight
in purity while firm in kindness, acquiring Good-will.
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:11
type: summary
locator: lines 5107-5118; stanza 268
quote_or_summary: In the Somahaŋsa Birth, the Bodisat lies in a cemetery with dead
bones as a pillow; children mock and praise him, villagers spit or offer garlands
and perfumes, and he remains equanimous.
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:12
type: summary
locator: lines 5121-5130; stanza 269
quote_or_summary: In the Vessantara birth, the Bodisat’s free-giving is said to
shake the earth seven times, and he performs mighty acts of virtue.
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:13
type: summary
locator: lines 5130-5138
quote_or_summary: After the Vessantara birth, the Bodisat passes away and reassumes
existence in Tusita heaven; the Dūrenidāna period extends from the Resolution
at Dīpaŋkara’s feet to the City of Delight.
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: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif candidates are generally
clear where the passage names perfections, but several taxonomy mappings are approximate
because the passage is a compressed doctrinal summary rather than full narrative
episodes. No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not
make a comparative claim beyond citing the Cariyā Piṭaka as a fuller account.
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: |-
All evidence references derive from the supplied line range and public-domain passage metadata. Named prior births are treated mainly as episodes of the central Bodisat rather than as separate figures unless needed for scene structure.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg__l4995-l5142
passage_sha256=5e29574e396c0b6dacca3c1434206176e1303f6c18a9777310be320d278164f4