Cariyapitaka

The Cariyapitaka is the fifth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, a collection of Buddhist scriptures. It is written in Pali and comprises thirty-five stories in verse. These stories illustrate the perfections (paramitas) that a bodhisattva must cultivate to achieve Buddhahood. The text recounts the past lives of the Buddha, detailing his sacrifices and virtuous deeds in his previous existences. Each story emphasizes a particular paramita, such as generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom, and patience. The Cariyapitaka serves as a narrative exposition of the ethical principles and developmental stages required for enlightenment according to Theravada Buddhism. It is often read in conjunction with the Jataka tales, which also describe the Buddha's past lives, but the Cariyapitaka specifically focuses on the paramitas as demonstrated through action. The book is attributed to the Buddha himself and is considered an important text for understanding the concept of a bodhisattva's journey.