The Relationship between Jātaka stories in Buddhist Scriptures and Those in Sculptures of Bharhut Stupa

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the relationship between Jātaka stories in the Buddhist scriptures and those in the sculptures of Bharhut stupa. A result of this study clearly shows that many sculptures of Bharhut stupa were built based on Jātaka verses (gāthā) in the Pāli canon, however, besides the Pāli canon, some sculptures based on Jātaka commentaries as well. This brings us to a conclusion that at least some parts of the Jātaka
commentaries had come into existence before sculptures at Bharhut stupa, approximately 2^nd century B.C. Referring to sculptures or archeological witnesses of which age is comparatively reliable is deemed a highly efficient and reliable way to provide a good hint for determining when Buddhist scriptures were composed.