Avadana

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A narrative form in Buddhist tradition that conveys ethical principles through illustrative tales
2. A storytelling genre in Buddhism designed to teach moral lessons via parables that exemplify righteous behavior
3. A traditional Buddhist story that illustrates ethical values through engaging episodes ; a teaching tale used to exemplify proper conduct and spiritual lessons

Etymology: Avadana is a Sanskrit word, and in its earliest uses it meant simply "a deed" or "a glorious exploit," coming from the verb root "ava-dā," roughly "to cut off" or "to detach," which gave the noun a sense of a notable act set apart from the rest. Buddhist literature later turned the word into a genre name. Avadana texts, most prominently the "Avadanaśataka" (a collection of a hundred tales, probably compiled in the early centuries CE), recount the past-life deeds of the Buddha and his disciples, showing how good actions in one life produce their results in another. The genre took shape within Buddhist traditions that used the stories to teach karma and moral conduct to lay audiences and monks alike. Many tales follow a pattern: a figure performs a generous or courageous act, and the narrative then reveals how that deed shaped a later rebirth. The form overlapped with the Jataka tales, which focus on the Buddha's previous lives as animals and humans, though avadanas often centre on other figures and on the consequences of specific deeds.

Synonyms: narrative, tale