1a. After blowing up the monster, what does Indra think of himself? What does Indra decide to do to demonstrate his greatness?
2a. What does the beautiful blue-black boy tell Indra that surprises him? Who is the blue-black boy, and who is the old yogi? What happens to the old yogi every time an Indra dies?
3a. What does Indra decide to do after giving up plans to finish building his palace?
4a. In what ways does the story "The Instruction of Indra" reflect Hindu beliefs?
5a. What do you think about the ideas of detachment and karma? Do you agree that people should work to become detached from worldly goods and power? Do you agree with the idea of karma, or do you believe people should work to improve their lives? Explain, referring to the Prereading if needed.
1b. How do you feel about Indra at this point in the story?
2b. How does the boy's teaching affect Indra? What does the old yogi mean when he asks Indra, "Why build a house?"
3b. Why does Indrani bring the priest to see Indra? What does Indra learn from the priest?
4b. What does the myth teach us about how we should live our lives?
5b. What role should rich and privileged people play in society? Should they give up their wealth to the poor, or should they just enjoy life. In what other way do you think the rich should behave? Explain.
Symbol. What do the ants in this story symbolize?
Internal Conflict. In this story, Indra struggles between pridefulness and concern with worldly matters, on the one hand, and humility and concern with spiritual matters, on the other hand. How is the struggle finally ended, or resolved? What middle course does the priest suggest to Indra?
1. Suppose you were Indra at the beginning of the story and wanted to build the most magnificent palace for yourself. Write a design plan for your palace, describing what rooms your palace will have, and what luxury features you want it to contain.
2. In this story, Indra learns some important lessons. Imagine that you are taking notes for him so that he will not forget what he has learned. Write some brief notes for him on the lines below.
3. Imagine that you are an advice columnist and Indra writes to you asking for advice about what he should do with his life. Write your advice column, including both Indra's letter and your response.
Investigating Word Origins. In the Hindu religion, the term karma means the way in which a person's actions determine that person's fate in the next stage of life. However, the term karma has entered the English language in a more simple way, as a synonym for the word fate or destiny. The study of word origins is the investigation of where words come from and how they develop.
Refer to the Language Arts Survey 1.21, "Exploring Word Origins and Word Families," and 1.17, "Using a Dictionary." Then look up the following words in a dictionary. Write the whole etymology, or history, of each word. List all of the abbreviations used in each etymology, along with the meanings of these abbreviations.
Example: blithe [ME < OE; ult. < IE base *bhlei-, to shine, gleam] ME = Middle English; < = derived from; OE = Old English; ult. = ultimately; IE = Indo-European; * = not attested]
1. bid
2. insipid
3. cook
4. bodhisattva
5. Seattle
6. meteor
7. poodle
8. harmony
9. vision
10. kerchief
Comparing Hinduism and Buddhism: Venn Diagram. India is the birthplace of two major Eastern religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. How are these two religions similar, and how are they different? With a partner, research the main principles and beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism, and prepare a report comparing and contrasting the two religions. Use the Venn diagram below to help organize your thoughts.
Completing Sentences. Review the Words for Everyday Use for the selection "The Instruction of Indra." Then, from the following list of words, choose the word that best completes each sentence below.
1. The graduate student felt that it was a(n) ______________ to work with the world-renowned professor.
2. The astronauts prepared for months to be in top shape for their ______________ to Mars.
3. Mario was ______________ when he learned that his favorite sports star was arrested.
4. The ______________ that dried up vast amounts of farmland was one of the causes of the Great Depression of the 1930s.
5. I like my teacher, Mrs. Horton, because she tells us that we can accomplish anything because our lives are full of ______________ possibilities.
6. Sometimes it's hard to understand the concept of ______________; the idea that time might never end is mind-boggling.
7. The bride glowed ______________ as she walked down the aisle with her father.
8. At night I like to sit on my balcony and look for my favorite ______________, the Pleiades.
9. When she gets overwhelmed with homework and activities, Lucia likes to sit under a tree and ______________ quietly until she feels relaxed.
10. "In the ______________ scheme of things, does it really matter that I ate your candy bar?" my brother asked.
