Who was Vessantara in the Buddha’s previous-life stories?

In Buddhist mythology, Prince Vessantara was a previous incarnation of the Buddha during his time as a bodhisattva.21

He is celebrated for his extreme generosity and self-abnegation. As a crown prince, Vessantara famously gave away his possessions, his children, and his wife while living in exile in the forest. Although these were miraculously restored to him, his story serves as a profound example of the Buddhist ideal of selfless giving.2

Following his life as Vessantara, he was reborn in the Tusita Heaven, where he prepared for his final birth as the Buddha Shakyamuni. His life remains a central theme in Buddhist tradition, often recited during harvest festivals to highlight the virtues required on the path to buddhahood.12