welcome to temiya Tales

Temiya Tales is an imprint of Timeless Awareness Publications. We are a children's books imprint dedicated to nurturing compassion, resilience, and wisdom through storytelling. Inspired by the ancient Buddhist Jātaka tradition. Temiya Tales publishes Buddhist-themed picture books for children. Our name, Temiya Tales, honors the story of Prince Temiya, a child of deep moral courage who chose silence over violence, compassion over power. Like Temiya, our books encourage young readers to listen to their inner goodness, to question harmful norms, and to grow into kind, thoughtful people in a complex world. From illustrated stories of mindfulness to empowering narratives of diversity and empathy, Temiya Tales offers gentle stories with a strong heart.

About the Tale of Prince Temiya

The Temiya Jātaka (No. 542), is a story about one of the Buddha's previous lives. In this life he is born as Prince Temiya, heir to a great kingdom. As a child, he recalls his past lives as kings who committed acts of violence and injustice, and he resolves not to repeat their mistakes. To avoid inheriting the throne, Temiya pretends to be mute and disabled for sixteen years, enduring ridicule and hardship. When his father finally orders his execution, Temiya reveals his true wisdom and renounces the kingdom, choosing the peaceful life of a forest renunciant. His story is a profound lesson in nonviolence, courage, and the rejection of worldly power in favour of the quiet power of inner conviction — a tale as relevant for today’s young people as it was in ancient times.