This article offers an analysis of various situations of moral dilemma generated by the Bodhisattva ideal of extreme self-sacrifice, with special reference to the career of Vessantara. The analysis focuses on the dilemmas resulting from his marvelous giving of gifts (dana), as a prince of a kingdom, as a royal son to his parents, as a husband and as a father. Emhasis will be directed to the various lines of reasoning, both supportive and oppositional to the gift giving, voiced by the people around him who were directly effected by his generously. Finally, some possibilities for reconciliation will be explored.
目次
Abstract 83 Introductory Note 83 Scope of Analysis of a Composite Text 84 Moral Dilemma Defined 86 Situations of Moral Dilemmas in the Text 86 Vessantara's Dilemma with Himself 89 Different Faces of Moral Dilemma in Vessantara Jataka 90 References 104
