Buddhism originated in India between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, and today the number of adherents to this ancient religion exceeds 500 million people worldwide. A true understanding of the ethics and spiritual practices of Buddhism is aided by the main sacred texts built around the original teachings of Gautama Buddha.
Buddhist traditions have formed a vast body of myths, most of which are dedicated to the life of the Buddha. For example, 550 Jataka tales recount the youth of the Buddha and his Great Renunciation, as well as his previous incarnations as humans and animals. They also speak of his family, particularly his mother Mahamaya, who dreamed of a white elephant before the birth of her son, and his cousin Devadatta, a monk who revolted against his teacher and attempted to kill him. Buddhist literature contains many allegorical stories, such as "The Talkative Tortoise," or retells plots from the Indian epic "Ramayana."
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