Question

This question is from 'The Gold Frame'.
Q.1 What Datta did was not the right thing to do. A good human being should display courage and honesty even when she/he is in a difficult situation. Have you ever been in a situation that tested your honesty and courage? What would you do if you were in Datta's place?

This question is from 'The Luncheon'.
Q.2 In the story, 'The Luncheon', the narrator demonstrates politeness and patience towards his woman friend. Do you think you have the patience to deal with an unpleasant situation or an unreasonable person? Do you think politeness is a great virtue?

Answer 1

ans 1=There is no human being in this world who does not face difficulties in life. You are not free from problems whether you are honest or you are dishonest.

Buddha was so much convinced about the inevitability of sufferings (dukkha) that he termed suffering as first Noble Truth. He advised people to accept sufferings as partof life and then find ways and means to minimize it.

The dishonest people expect sufferings because they are doing something illegal or immoral. When they face problems in life, they can accept easily that they are suffering because they have done something wrong. For example, if a corrupt officer is arrested for taking bribe and jailed; he can connect his suffering with the cause i.e. corruption. As a matter of fact, when any government officer engages in corruption or any criminal commits a crime, he is mentally prepared to suffer the consequences if he is caught.

A dishonest person therefore does not complain much about the problems because he has himself invited it by doing illegal acts.

However, an honest person is mentally not prepared for facing any problem. He is having the illusion that being honest is noble and good. Hence, he must not suffer any problem in his life.

However, problems are inevitable in the life of any man just as illness; old age and death are inevitable in the life of any mortal person. If you are following healthy lifestyle, you can ensure healthier life and longer lifespan, but you can’t ensure immortality. You too will fall sick sometime when the external forces become more powerful than your internal resistance

Ans 2=