Past Lifes of Sidharta Guama:

-Siddhartha, after enlightenment, recalls 550 past lives in Jatakas, illustrating his journey to perfection. -Jatakas convey moral lessons in Mahayana and Theravada traditions. -Layman walks on water to Jetavana, saved by thoughts of Buddha's virtues. -Layman recalls a past life at sea with a barber during a shipwreck. -Serpent-king transforms into a ship, offers passage to India to the layman but refuses the barber. -Layman insists, sharing the fruits of his virtues for the barber's benefit. -Sea-Spirit conveys them to Benares, creates wealth, advises to keep good company. -Layman attains Nirvana; Sariputta is the Serpent-king, and Buddha is the ocean-god in this past life.