Parables of Wisdom
The Six Leshyas and the Jamun Tree
The Six Leshyas and the Jamun Tree is a Jain story from the Parables of Wisdom collection about leshya, ahimsa and inner attitude. Six hungry travellers find a tree full of ripe jamun fruit, and each has an idea for how to eat. Their six ideas become a famous picture of the six leshyas, the colours of the soul.
| Teaches | Leshya, Ahimsa, Inner attitude |
|---|---|
| Collection | Parables of Wisdom |
| Tellings | A children's telling (2 min) and the full story (4 min) |
| Who it suits | For all ages |
| Tradition | Told in both Shvetambar and Digambar traditions |
| Thought to keep | We can meet our needs with very little harm, if our heart chooses the gentle way. |
Read the opening of The Six Leshyas and the Jamun Tree
The opening of the children's telling
Once upon a time, six friends were walking through a big forest. They were very hungry. Then they saw a tall jamun tree, full of sweet purple fruit. Birds were singing in its branches.
"Yum!" they said. "How shall we eat?"
Read the whole story of The Six Leshyas and the Jamun Tree See plans
What The Six Leshyas and the Jamun Tree teaches
Values Leshya Ahimsa Inner attitude
To carry into the day
We can meet our needs with very little harm, if our heart chooses the gentle way.
To talk about together
Which of the six travellers would you like to be, and what is one way you can be gentle like him tomorrow?
Sources
Retold for JainStory from the traditional story and checked against 2 published sources: