A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.318.1

v2.c19.s3.t2.318.1

[^1): We meet with the legend of Vessantara in pictorial representations also. Cf. *Foucher*, *L'art gréco-bouddhique*, I, 283 ff. The Chinese traveller Song Yun relates that he saw a picture in Shâhbâz-Garhi reproducing the Vessantara legend, and that, whenever they saw this picture, the barbarians shed tears of pity for the pious man who had given away his children to the wicked Brahman. *Chavannes*, Cinq Cents Contes, t. I, p. x. P. *Dahlke* (ZB., I, 1914, p. 9) says: "This Vessantara legend is a favourite decoration in Buddhist temples. I have seen it represented from Ceylon to Cambodia. In the Wesak season it is...produced on the stage of the people's theatres, and never does it fail to produce its effect." R. *Fick* (Festgabe Jacobi, pp. 145 ff.) has compared the various versions of the Vessantara Jātaka, with a view to tracing its original form. He shows that the Jātakamālā probably used an earlier version than that of the Pāli Jātaka. A Soghdian version of the Jātaka has been published by R. *Gauthiot* (JA., 1912, s. 10, t. XIX, pp. 163 ff.). [^2): Pārami or Pāramitā, "highest perfection," is the technical expression for the ten (or six) perfections which a Bodhisatta possesses, namely: Generosity, virtue (*i.e.* obedience to the commandments), renunciation of the world, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, determination, friendliness towards all creatures, equanimity. Cf. R. *Spence Hardy*, Manual of Buddhism, 1860, pp. 98, 101 ff.; *Kern*, Manual, p. 66.