A Jataka Tale

Questions for Philosophical Discussion
by Jelena Spasojevic
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Philosopical topic: Friendship

Story line for questions: "Though he was not as strong as the elephant nor as bold as the lion, he possessed the kindest of hearts."

1. How would you describe the rabbit?
2. How was he a friend?
3. What did he do to show he was a friend?
4. What does it mean to be a good friend?
5. What kind of things do you do as a good friend?
6. What are some of the attributes that your good friends have?
7. What are the important qualities that make one a good friend?
8. Can friends make you change/Do you become different as a person because of who you spend your time with? Why/Why not?
9. If friends could make you change would that be a positive or negative thing?
   

Philosopical topic: Courage

Story line for questions: "Feeling only love for others, he had never been afraid for himself." (or) "And he leaped toward the blazing fire."

1. Is the rabbit in the book brave?
2. Why was/was not he brave?
3. What does it mean to be brave?
4. How do you know that you are being brave?
5. The rabbit in the book jumped into an open fire. Do you have to do something really dangerous in order to be brave?
6. Can you be afraid and brave at the same time? Why/why not?
7. The tale says, “Feeling only love for others, he had never been afraid for himself”.
8. Did you have any experiences where love made you feel fearless?
9. Can love help you feel less afraid?

 

Philosopical topic: Altruism/Selflessness

Story line for questions: "Then in order to remind the world of the power of selflessness, he placed the rabbit in the moon, where he has dwelt from that day forward."

1. What is selflessness?
2. Have you ever been selfless?
3. How can you tell that you are being selfless?
4. Is being selfless good or bad?
5. Is it always good/bad?
6. The Rabbit was so selfless as to give his life to a stranger. Do you think that was the right thing to do? Why?
7. Would you do something that would help other(s) but hurt you? Why or why not?
8. Do you think the king of heavenly beings was right or wrong to put the rabbit in the moon?

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