Page last updated on 8 October, 2020
Nidānakathā
The introductory chapter of the Jātaka Commentary.
It gives the story of the Buddha in three sections:
- the distant cause (Dūre-nidāna) from the time of his birth, as Sumedha, up to his birth in the Tusita world;
- the recent cause (Avidūre-nidāna) from his death in Tusita and his birth as Siddhattha, son of Suddhodana, up to his Enlightenment;
- and the present cause Santike-nidāna, which contains his story up to the dedication of Jetavana by Anāthapiṇḍika. J.i.1‑94.