Khuddaka Nikaya - Jataka Vol II Preface

Khuddaka Nikaya - Jataka Vol II Preface

THE JĀTAKA
OR
STORIES OF THE BUDDHA'S FORMER BIRTHS.
TRANSLATED FROM THE PĀLI BY VARIOUS HANDS
UNDER THE EDITORSHIP OF
PROFESSOR E. B. COWELL.
VOL. II.
TRANSLATED BY
W. H. D. ROUSE, M. A.,
SOMETIME FELLOW OF CHRIST'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
Cambridge University Press
[1895]
NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION
This text is in the public domain in the United States because it was
published prior to January 1st, 1923. These files may be used for any
non-commercial purpose, provided this notice of attribution is left intact in
all copies.
MANIBVS
GVILLELMI ROBERTSON SMITH
SVMMO DESIDERIO
D. D. D.

p. vii
PREFACE.
IN a book like this, where a translation is made for the first time from a
language little known, mistakes there needs must be. For any such I ask the
indulgence of scholars; and assure them that no trouble has been spared to get
accuracy. A word or phrase dismissed in a footnote as obscure or inexplicable
has often cost hours of research before it has been given up.
Although it has not been possible to reproduce the rhythm of the verses, yet I
hope something of the same effect has been given by keeping in each story to one
metre where the Pāli has but one, and changing where it changes; and a pretty
consistent rule has been observed, of giving long lines for long and short for
short, two short lines being held equivalent to one long. But in different
stories the same metre has often been differently translated for convenience.
For parallels I have looked through all the Pāli books as far as they are
printed; but I have not had time to read them carefully, and many must have
escaped me. The notes must then not be considered as exhaustive. Other
illustrations have been noted where I have come across them, and I hope that
students of folk-tales may be interested in one unpublished variant which I have
been able to give (page 110).
p. viii
It remains to acknowledge my indebtedness to those friends who have helped me.
The members of our "Guild" who are resident at Cambridge have been so kind as to
revise the proofs; and to them I owe very many corrections and improvements. Mr
R. Chalmers lent me a MS. translation of a few of the 'Stories of the Past,' for
which I thank him. But my chief thanks are due to my Master, Professor Cowell;
who, for many years past, has with unfailing patience and kindliness helped me
in my Oriental studies. I feel that what I know of these things has been his
gift to me almost entirely; and I hope he may consider this book not all
unworthy of his teaching.
W. H. D. ROUSE.
CHRIST'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE,
           July 30, 1895.