STUDIES ON CHARACTERISTICS OF JUJAKA AND AMITTATA IN VESSANTARA JATAKA : JUJOKA SERMON

Abstract

         This article aimed to study the charateristics of Jujoka and Mrs. Amittata in Vessantara Jataka: Jujoka Sermon, with information from Mahavessantara Jataka of the Fine Arts Department’s edition, and then compare it with the Tipitaka. The Vessantara Jataka of the Fine Arts Department described Jujoka's external characteristics as an old man, ugly face, bad smell, wrinkled teeth, having skin disease, full-body mole, twisted feet, legs spread, hunchback, tummy, distorted ears, etc. These were to enhance the commentary of Tipitaka that Jojoka had 18 physical disabilities. As for the internal characteristics, which included the personality and behavior, Jujoka was a cunning person, ferocious, and very greedy. Regarding to Mrs. Amittata's external characteristics, she was a young woman, good shape, and beautiful. But her internal characteristics was a soft-headed person, obey the parents, a good wife. Some Amittata's flaw was selfish, married because of Jojaka’s wealth. Although Vessantara Jataka mentioned several bad characteristics of Jojaka, contrary, if looking at the positive behavior, he had many good things, such as; family responsibility, responsible for duty, thrifty, perseverance, patience, and intelligence. Therefore, when comparing the Vessantara Jataka, edited by the Fine Arts Department, with Pali idioms, it was revealed that the author added characteristic personality to be more interesting behavior. There were several aspects of ethics from the studies of Jujoka’s behavior such as; good effort, thriftiness, tact survival, relaxation, etc. These characteristics were enough to be a good sample for people in society to follow.