Psychological Aspects of Buddhist Jātaka Stories by Dr. Ruwan M. Jayatunge

In his 2014 work, "Psychological Aspects of Buddhist Jātaka Stories," Dr. Ruwan M. Jayatunge offers a contemporary clinical perspective on the ancient Jātaka tales, positing that these narratives functioned as an early form of a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). He contends that the Jātaka stories were crafted to illuminate human nature and to enhance understanding of the thought and behavior patterns that lead to psychological distress. The book highlights various characters within the tales who exhibit symptoms aligning with modern psychiatric/psychological conditions. Dr. Jayatunge draws parallels between Buddhist "case methods" and contemporary psychotherapy, suggesting that the Jātaka storyteller engaged in psychological analysis long before Freud's time. Furthermore, he emphasizes that these narratives cultivated a compassionate approach to mental illness in ancient Buddhist cultures, promoting empathy for those suffering rather than ostracizing them.

Rolf B. Gainer, PhD,
Chief Executive Officer,
Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute at Brookhaven Hospital,
Tulsa, Oklahoma