India/Buddhism

Buddhas First Sermon
What are the two extremes that should never be practiced and what do those say about Buddhist thought? Why do you think these two extremes are bad?
What does the eightfold path say/show about whats important in Buddhism? In life? What do you think of those principles?
What are the four noble truths? What sorts of things cause pain and suffering? What do these ideas show about what Buddha valued?
Whats Buddhas view about life, enlightenment, and pain/suffering?
Can you see Hinduisms influence on any of the Buddhist ideas?
The Stories:
Jakata Tales: Merchant of Seri, The Banyan Deer, & The Golden Goose
Panchatantra Stories: The Blue Jackal, The Daydreaming Priest, The Mongoose and the Farmers
Wife, & The Cat, Partridge, and the Hare
Tales of Punjab: The Ruby Prince
What do the stories show us about the four noble truths? What do the stories say/show about desire? About pain? About suffering?
In what ways do we see the eightfold path in the stories? What actions are emphasized as good? What actions are emphasized as bad?
What do the stories show us about Indian and Buddhist life, culture, and beliefs?
What role does sacrifice play in some of the stories?
What do the stories say/show about morality? How is morality also tied to Buddhist thought?
General
How do you see Buddhist ideas and ideals in the different stories you read for this week?
What are your thoughts and opinions about Buddhism? About Buddhist ideas? About the folktales?

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