Divine Stories ─ Divyavadana

Explore the second of two volumes of translations, in vivid prose, of one of the most celebrated collections of classical Buddhist legends. 

Actions never come to naught,
even after hundreds of millions of years.
When the right conditions gather and the time is right,
then they will have their effect on embodied beings.

Ancient Buddhist literature is filled with tales of past lives. The Buddha, surrounded by his followers, is asked how it came to be that a certain person has met a particular fate. With his omniscience, the Buddha looks into eons past and uncovers the events that led to the present outcome. With stories of wicked wives, patricidal princes, and shape-shifting serpents, Divine Stories is a fascinating expression of how Buddhists have illustrated the law of karma—the truth that the power of good and ill deeds, once created, is never lost. These are some of the oldest Buddhist tales ever committed to writing, illuminating the culture of northern India in the final centuries before the common era and bringing to life the Buddhist values of generosity and faith.

As with his volume 1, Andy Rotman’s translation of the second half of this collection combines accuracy with readability, with detailed editorial notes comparing readings in the available Sanskrit texts. Rich in depth and literary expression, Divine Stories is major contribution to Indian and Buddhist studies.

Andy Rotman received his PhD in South Asian languages and civilizations from the University of Chicago. He has taught in the Religion Department at Smith College since 2000.