Forgiveness

One of these stories, "Both Friend and Foe the Saints Adore," is from India. On a map, locate India’s absolute location (longitude and latitude) and relative location (general descriptors of where the place is located). Describe India's physical characteristics and human characteristics.

Read the story "Both Friend and Foe the Saints Adore" together and discuss the message and connection to philanthropy.

• What clues are there in the story as to the character of the monk? What does he mean when he tells the other monk, "Brother, he who beat me is now giving me milk"?
• Look up Sri Ramakrishna and identify his teachings in the story. He was a Hindu holy man who lived near Calcutta in the nineteenth century. A man who could neither read nor write, he used stories to explain his teachings to others.
• What is the lesson or philanthropic connection?
• Why is this a good title for the folktale?
• Although the folktale very heavily depends on Indian culture, why does the story have universal appeal? 

Read "The Young Man Who Refused to Kill" together and discuss the message and connection to philanthropy.

• Buddhism teaches not to harm others, including animals. Thus, the act of killing animals for food causes the problem within this tale.
• What is the meaning of the chant, "Om Mani Padme Hum"?
• The chant calls upon Chenrezig, who is compassionate, for blessings. How is compassion evident in Tashi’s forgiveness of his father at the end of the story?
• What do you think is the primary reason for Tashi's father’s malevolent behavior toward him?
• Although the folktale very heavily depends on Tibetan culture, why does it have universal appeal? 

Explain that the Mayan folktale, "The Little Boy Who Talked with Birds," is also a story of forgiveness. The Mayans lived in present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, western Honduras, El Salvador, and northern Belize. The Mayan word "mut" means both "bird" and "prophesy". Since the Mayans believed that birds could speak and prophesy, it is not surprising in the story that the father becomes upset when he believes his son can interpret the sounds of the birds but will not share the information.

Read "The Little Boy Who Talked with Birds" together and discuss the message and connection to philanthropy.

• The stern father worried that his son was losing respect for him and that the boy would humiliate him. Because of his fears, the father began to treat the boy more unjustly and threw his son out of the family home. Why was he so fearful?
• What examples are there of something like this that happens in real life?
• Is it reasonable for this family to experience peace and happiness after the unjust treatment?
• Why is it important for family members to forgive each other? What challenges must a person who forgives be willing to face?