- All the stories seem to be based on different characters. Makes it a little jarring to read, but I guess it lets the author explore a lot of characters and locations.
- Animals are given human characteristics. I think it is because people will have an easier time understanding why a violent animal is doing evil things, as opposed to another person. Especially since I'm assuming these stories began as oral tradition. When you think of an animal, you instantly associate certain personalities with it, for example: a lion is mighty and the king of the animals kingdom, and pigs are dirty animals.
- Buddha is also born as a tree spirit. Along the same lines as giving animals human characteristics, by associating Buddha with a tree I imagine his as a patient and strong person.
- These animal and plant spirits are also interacting with humans. Again, I think this is because animals and plants have simpler personalities.
- Buddha is now being born as a human, in the merchant class. I think a negative of this story is that it seems to require the reader to already be familiar with Buddha and other aspects of Indian Culture like the caste system to get the full message and point of the story. For example, Buddha is an alms giver, but still owns slaves. This seems contradictory, if you don't know how the rankings assigned by birth in the Caste system work and how they justify certain aspects of Indian culture.
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| The Indian Caste System, courtesy of Jessica14272 |
Thanks for reading, more soon.
Andrew, I found your reading diary this week to be very interesting. Immediately I was intrigued by the Indian Caste system and how it all integrates together. I also enjoyed learning about your reading notes about Buddha and how seems to be contradictory at times. It seems strange that he could be not only a giver but a slave owner as well. Enjoyed reading your post. See you around Sarkeys.
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