Tara Terzi
POL200
Week 4 Discussion Questions
1.
Compare the “creation” story in the Aggañña Sutta with the Anishinaabe Creation Stories
we read. What might be some political implications of the differences?
The creation stories of the Anishinaabe and the Aggañña Sutta are comparable in that they both
describe a way of life and a fundamental goal that people should pursue in their lifetimes; the
Anishinaabe strive to serve the earth, while the Aggañña Sutta story describes people who strive
to follow the Eightfold path and live truth-filled lives. On the other hand, The Anishinaabe myth
describes the creation of life and humanity, whereas the Aggañña Sutta story describes the
establishment of a set of rules that one must abide by in order to live a life of truth. This is why
the two stories are distinct.
2.
What are some important aspects of the story of decline in the Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda
Sutta? What kind of political prescriptions might emerge from this story?
The Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta's important aspects of decline is around the loss of worldly pleasure and
the acquisition of heavenly joy. This can be seen through the quote, "I have had my fill of human
pleasures, now is the time to seek heavenly pleasures" (Walshe, 396). This anecdote may lead to a
political prescription about duty and carrying out positions of authority. One must assume the role of the
Ariyan wheel-turning king and carry out the responsibilities of this position, just as when the wheel-
treasure is lost. This is comparable to politics in that new people are always there to take over in
positions of trust when one part of the government is compromised.
