Jataka Tales

These, numbering 547, are the stories concerning the previous incarnations of the Buddha, including in animal & bird incarnations. These illustrate how the ten perfections, namely generosity, virtue, renunciation, wisdom, effort, forbearance, truth, resolve, loving kindness & equanimity can be achieved in life.

The beauty of  Buddhism is no prior belief in a deity, be it Christ, Allah or any of Hindu Gods is required. Only important thing is the ten virtues should be cultivated to achieve Nirvana. This has obvious advantages as there was no assurance that piety, as practised in other religions, would automatically make a person virtuous. In fact most of the demons in Hindu mythology were very pious persons, who obtained their powers (to do harm) as boons after intense austerities, from Lord Shiva, like Ravana!

Swami Vivekananda had the highest respect for Buddha. Also Buddhism was the first religion to send out missionaries to spread their creed. It was providential they did so, because for various reasons, Buddhism lost its influence in the land of its birth.

An interesting sidelight is the presence of Devadutta, cousin & nemesis of Buddha, in the Jataka Tales, always working at cross purposes! He even joined Buddha's order, only to create a split, like modern politicians!