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Description:
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Gautama was born a prince, over 2500 years ago in Lumbini, in the northern part of India. He left the comfortable life of the palace, his young wife and infant son, to go in search of true knowledge. After a life of wander, austerities and meditation, he became Buddha ('the Enlightened one'). Buddha taught compassion, non-violence and the need for right conduct in life. His teachings spread far and wide even outside India, in China and Southeast Asia. The 'Jataka' (Birth-cycle) tales narrate the stories related to the 'seekers of truth' - those who wish to follow the path of Buddha. Of the 550 Jatakas that form the canon, many are about both animals and humans. The stories were originally were compiled in the Pali language. In Bird Stories, there is a hawk couple whose fledglings, in danger from hunters, are saved by their animal and bird friends. A greedy woman plucks out all feathers of a golden swan against his will and loses all the bounty. A king crow's loyal mate bringing food for the queen crow, is caught but rewarded for his loyalty. Greed brings grief - to a bird that keeps away his flock from carts of grains, or to the crow that wants to have a go at a fried fish in the kitchen of the pigeon-friend's master.
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