Jataka tales are mythic sources of depth for spiritual seekers of all traditions. Far from being quaint tales for children only—the Jataka tales tell us the ways of bodhisattvas, those with boundless hearts dedicated to the happiness and enlightenment of all beings.

For over forty years, Rafe Martin has been investigating, working with and writing about these ancient, traditional Buddhist teachings. His Buddhist writings have appeared in Tricycle, Buddhadharma, Shambhala Sun, The Sun, Parabola, Zen Bow, Blind Donkey, Mountain Record, Mountains Talking, and Walking Mountains. For the past several years, Rafe has been sharing the Jatakas and his profound interpretations of them in a teaching capacity at Buddhist communities throughout the world.

Rafe began formal Zen practice in 1970 with Philip Kapleau Roshi, later became his disciple, and was chosen by him to be editor of his final two books: Awakening to Zen and Straight to the Heart of Zen. After Roshi Kapleau’s retirement, Rafe worked for several years with Robert Aitken Roshi, then in 2002, he began training with Danan Henry Roshi, who gave him full lay ordination in 2010. His teachings on the Jataka tales grow out of both his many years of professional storytelling and his long experience of Buddhist tradition

At retreats and sesshins, Rafe is an inspiring speaker, instilling the listeners with a deep sense of purpose and continuous practice.

“For the second year in a row, I was fortunate enough to attend the weekend portion of the Jataka Tale sesshin featuring world-class storyteller, Rafe Martin. Every day he would tell one of the Jataka tales followed by a commentary and discussion. Rafe’s amazing ability as a storyteller combined with the subject matter, the format, and the audience made for an energizing and powerful experience.”

Workshops and talks centered around the Jataka Tales are geared to energize life relationships in all their opportunities for creativity and delight. Here is a description of one type of workshop Rafe offers:

In this workshop, finding ourselves reflected through the experience of the Jataka mirror, we will take up the work of bodhisattvas, embodying these stories through our own body, speech and mind and bringing renewal to our lives, our understanding, and our spiritual practice.

Contact Rafe for more information about conducting a workshop, retreat, or sesshin centered around the ancient wisdom of the Jataka tales.

Rafe has given Jataka Teachings, Talks or Performances at:

AZTA (American Zen Teachers’ Association annual meeting)   Joseph Campbell Festival of Myth & Story Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple   Zen Mountain Monastery, Mt. Tremper, NY Bai Lin Zen Monastery, China   National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough, TN Casa Zen de Costa Rica, Heredia   Rochester Zen Center, NY Denver Zen Center, CO   Syracuse Zen Center, NY Empty Hand Zen Center, New Rochelle, NY   Toronto Zen Centre, ON, Canada Open Sky Yoga Center, Rochester, NY   Vermont Zen Center, Shelburne, VT Great Vow Zen Monastery, Clatskanie, OR   Village Zendo, NYC Florida Community of Mindfulness: Naples, Tampa, & St. Petersburg, FL   White Lotus Society, Rochester, NY International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough, TN   Wind Horse Zen Community, Asheville, NC Jewel Heart Tibetan Buddhist Center, Ann Arbor, MI   Zen Community of Portland, OR

Teaching at Jewel Heart 2011

Giving teachings on the “Blue Bear Jataka” at Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple

• “The evening’s featured performer‚ storyteller, author and long-time Dharma practitioner Rafe Martin‚ was at his best that night, responding to the enthralled Asheville audience of 80–100 people. Many in the almost completely adult audience were taken by surprise at the power of live storytelling‚ so often considered to be just for children‚ especially when offered up by a master of the art.
• “Rafe’s selections ranged from a traditional Jataka tale (The Banyan Deer) to the Mahabharata, to an ancient Irish legend (The Music of What Happens) and a dark and moving Grimm fairy tale (The Six Swans). One story melting into the next, a rich potion of words and images casting its spell over and through all those present‚ bringing forth now laughter, now a breathless stillness. And waking up something long forgotten, something timeless and full of wonder.”   —Sunya Kjolhede, Zen teacher of Windhorse Zen Community, Asheville, NC
• “I wanted to thank you for your gift of storytelling—both the generous gift you gave with your telling and the wider gift you are giving with your books. There are values and ways that are so deeply human, yet terribly endangered by our foolish habits of denial, selfish individualism and the seductive power of technology. Your stories stand against that by standing for our true nature—wild, compassionate, funny, sad, whole. I hope in the days to come we can continue to work with you and forge closer ties.”    —Alan Senauke, National Coordinator, Buddhist Peace Fellowship
  

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• See poster of Rafe’s talks at Jewel Heart and the Zen Buddhist Temple of Ann Arbor
• Rafe’s books of ancient teachings

“It was a true pleasure to attend Rafe Martin’s workshop Jatakas are Us: Embodying the Way. Rafe’s presentation opened my eyes to the original purpose of the jatakas as teaching tools that unlock dharma gates. . I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in discovering deeper connections to the dharma, or making more meaningful connections with audiences, or learning ways to more effectively connect self to story.”
 —Chajang Terry Beamsley, Ann Arbor Zen Buddhist Temple