The Monkey King

A resource for teachers, parents and students (aged 5+)

INTRODUCTION

Six carefully chosen Jatakas tales and stories from the life of the Buddha which provide an ideal way of introducing Buddhist values to young children (age 5+). These illustrated stories, which introduce themes such as trust, friendship, helping others, kindly speech and change-for-the-better, make a valuable contribution to children’s spiritual and moral development.

The six 12 minute tales are:

  1. The Monkey King
  2. Angulimala Meets the Buddha
  3. The Lion and the Jackal
  4. Siddhartha and the Swan
  5. Kisa and the Mustard Seed
  6. The King’s Elephant

The handbook, which covers all 6 stories, draws out the themes and has activities that you can print out for use at home or in the classroom.

1. The Monkey King

Greed, heroism and mangoes!

2. Angulimala

Change for the better

3. The Lion and the Jackal

Helping others, friendship & trust, gossip, being sorry

4. Siddhartha & the Swan

Compassion & empathy, respect for living things

5. Kisa & the Mustard Seeds

Impermanence & change, bereavement - sadness & loss

6. The King's Elephant

Friendship, the effect that the company we keep has on us