Five Faiths Project
BUDDHISM
Voices of Faith
I. The Brave Little Parrot (transcript)
Summary
In this story, the Buddha, in a previous lifetime as a parrot, models compassion by attempting to save the forest and all its inhabitants from a forest fire.
Research Option
There are many stories of the Buddha’s previous lives. Students may wish to find additional stories. In each story, one or more aspect of the Buddha’s nature is demonstrated.
Discussion Questions
What qualities does the little parrot possess? Who learns the lesson in this story? How might this story encourage acts of compassion in Buddhists? Why would this story be an appropriate introduction to the Buddha’s nature?
II. The Elephant (transcript)
Summary
In this story, students are introduced to another of the stories of the Buddha’s previous lifetimes. In this lifetime, he is an elephant living alone in a forest. One day, he meets a group of people who have been exiled from their homeland and are without food and water. After he learns of their plight, he instructs them to travel to a distant place and food and water will be there for them. When they arrive at the place the elephant suggested, they find the elephant. The elephant gives his body to them for nourishment and his entrails for water bags, so that they may carry water on their journey.
Research Option
Some of the people in the story suggest that they should give the elephant a ritual cremation rather than use his body for food. Students may wish to research the role of cremation in Indian culture.
Discussion Questions
What qualities does the elephant possess? What motivates his decision to sacrifice his own life for the people? How does the elephant describe his sacrifice? Why would the storyteller include the response of the flowers and trees at the death of the elephant? Examine the implications of the moral of the story as offered by the storyteller.
III. The Life of the Buddha (transcript)
Summary
The storyteller offers an account of the events surrounding the birth of the baby who would grow up to seek enlightenment and become the Buddha.
Research Option
Within the story, Siddhartha sees a monk. Initially, he chooses to seek answers by following the path of the monk. Search for images of ascetics and other people who have rejected all worldly comforts in order to seek answers to life’s questions. Many people seek answers to life’s suffering. Students may wish to identify contemporary figures whose work reflects their commitment to compassion.
Discussion Questions
How does the storyteller foreshadow the true nature and destiny of the baby? What might have motivated his father to protect his son from seeing the four sights? Why would it be important to note that the young boy grew up with skill in many disciplines? Note that in the story, the teller describes the boy feeling like a “chained elephant,” just prior to seeing the four sights. Could this be a reference to the previous life of the Buddha? It is the four sights which motivate the young man to seek answers to the problems of life. Can you think of other people in history who have seen horrible events or images and responded by seeking solutions to the problems of human suffering?
IV. The Living Kuan Yin (transcript)
Summary
In the story, students are introduced to the Bodhisattva, Kuan Yin. She is a goddess of compassion and mercy. She was born an ordinary person, who in her lifetime became enlightened. In the story, the protagonist suffers the loss of his fortune and seeks the aid of Kuan Yin.
Research Option
Locate an image of Kuan Yin. Check the library and the Internet. Look closely at the structure of the story and the way in which the teller sets the stage, creates the action of the story, establishes the conflict and brings resolution. Students may wish to write a comparable folk story set in modern times.
Discussion Questions
This story exemplifies the teaching that in caring for others, we ourselves are cared for. How does the story establish the main character as trustworthy and kind? If you were able to ask three questions of a wise and compassionate woman, what might they be? Ask students to consider if they have experienced anything like the events of this story: in taking care of others, their own needs were met.
V. How Assanga Came to See the Future Buddha (transcript)
Summary
In this story, the central character attempts to see the future Buddha by turning away from the world around him in the practice of asceticism and meditation. After many years, the central character despairs and leaves his isolation. On the road back to town, he is given a chance to show great compassion. When he demonstrates compassion, he achieves his goal.
Research Option
Locate Tibet on a world map. The storyteller mentions the wearing away of stones by water. Students may wish to gather smooth stones and research the approximate time it takes to polish a stone in a natural environment.
Discussion Questions
What is the underlying message of this story? Why might this story be an important one for people who practice meditation? What events in the story reinforce the benefits of meditation? What events remind the listener of the limits of meditation?
How does the storyteller establish action as a necessary part of true awareness? How does the storyteller foreshadow this principle?