PERFECTION IN WISDOM, WISDOM IN TEACHING. THE SELECTION OF MAHAVASTU'S STORIES ABOUT PREVIOUS BIRTHS OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA

Jatakas or stories of Buddha's previous existences have a distinctive place in the history of Buddhist literature. The article brings forth the selection of MahAvastu's jAtakas, all of which as its main subject have a previous encounter of Buddha and tempter MAra. The attempt will be made to explain the insistence of authors/ compilators of MahAvastu on showing that almost every event in Buddha's life has its parallel in some of his previous existences and to demonstrate how the cultivation of the Perfection of wisdom was understood as an essential requirement for Buddha's victory over MAra in the night of his Enlightenment. Also, the author will try to show that jAtakas illustrate Buddha's skilfulness in teaching.