Balapandita Sutra

Balapandita Sutra (Pali Bala-pandita Sutta) — the Sutra of the Wise and Foolish.

The Sutra consists of Jataka stories, tracing the causes of present tragedy in human lives to events which took place in former lifetimes. The theme of each narrative is the same: the tragedy of the human condition, the reason for this tragedy and the possibility of transcending it.

For centuries, it has been a source of inspiration, instruction and pleasure for all who have read it. The history of this unusual scripture is still uncertain. Legend has it that the tales were heard in Khotan by Chinese monks, who translated them into Chinese. The text was translated into Mongolian from Tibetan. The version available in English is translated from the Mongolian.

Translations

• Sutra of the Wise and Foolish, translated by Dr. Stanley Frye from the Mongolian, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, ISBN : 81-85102-15-5