1

This book is called “The Animal Book”. This is so because it tells us little tales of animals. In the centre of these tales are Rabbit and Tortoise. They are friends who make experiences together and discuss reality.

2

In order to fully enjoy the book, the following sections/chapters will be added. Please navigate the book using the internal structure as found below.

1

This work is lovingly dedicated to all the beings.

1

This book is a collection of short tales in shape.

2

This book is like a love letter to philosophy.

3

This book is meant for everyone and anyone. Particularly those interested in exploring reality.

1

This book came to be in order to help and assist people.

2

It should also help to foster dialogue within oneself, and between people.

3

It can also assist in creating connections between people.

4

And it can be used to help in thinking and in the exploration of reality.

1

This book was first written in the year 2025 CE.

2

The original authoring language is English.

3

The aim of the book is to discuss universal truths, not current-day situations.

1

The writer sought to illustrate philosophy in an accessible, yet truthful way.

1

The reader might have various motivations that led to reading this book.

2

Amongst them might be: intellectual thirst, seeking new ways of seeing things, training the mind, expanding knowledge, gain means to help others, etc.

1

Any person may be able to read this book.

2

However, certain elementary familiarity with philosophy might be helpful.

1

We thank the following for making this book possible:

2

To family and friends, for their love and support.

3

To the many schools, learning institutions and teachers.

4

To those who developed the tools by which learning and writing was made easier.

5

To the reader, without whom this book were vacuous.

6

To everyone who enabled the right conditions for this book to have been written.

1

A few disclaimers have to be made.

2

This book is not to be read as answers, but inspirational ideas.

4

Not every topic can be covered, due to various reasons.

5

Certain passages might involve simplification in idea and language to be more readable.

6

The personal identity features of the characters are to be understood in an open way, i.e. while there may be gender, age, language, etc., these can largely be replaced by an alternative.

1

This book uses a terminology and syntax standard that is shared with other projects across the greater “P-Project”.

2

Referencing individual parts of this book can be done as follows:

3

The book itself has the ID “A.16”.

4

The book is followed by the chapter in this format: “A.16:#”, where “#” is the ID of the chapter, e.g. “1”.

5

The chapter is followed by the section. For the tales, this is: “1” for the tale, “2” for the explanation, “3” for the discussion. This is written in this format: “A.16:1:#”, where “#” is the ID of the section as explained now, e.g. “1” for “tale”.

6

The section is followed by the line in this format: “A.16:1:1:#”, where “#” is the ID of the line, e.g. “1”.

7

Therefore, to reference the first line of the first chapter/tale of this book, we can write: “A.16:1:1:1”.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise come past a meadow and see a bird peck at seeds.

2

Tortoise:

“See? If Bird were smart, he would not eat all the seeds but spare some for planting them as future trees.”

3

Rabbit:

“If Bird is very hungry, he will not last until the trees have grown. It is better to eat now.”

4

Tortoise:

“Maybe this is so. But will Bird not have to do this over and over again unless he prepares for the future?”

5

Rabbit:

“How can he prepare for the future if the present demands all his effort?”

6

Tortoise:

“Then, in good times, Bird shall prepare for the future?”

7

Rabbit:

“And in bad times, he shall eat to his fullest.”

8

Tortoise:

“This way, he should be able to make it through any times.”

9

Rabbit:

“And not be negligent about neither present moment nor future moments.”

10

They both watch as Bird seems to be carrying a seed back to his nest.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise meet Mr. Duck on his way from fetching water.

2

Tortoise:

“Listen, Rabbit: This is the husband of Mrs. Duck.”

3

Rabbit:

“Can we not say that he is more than just the husband? He is Mr. Duck.”

4

Tortoise:

“But what else other than the sum of his relationships is this Mr. Duck?”

5

Rabbit:

“Surely, if Mr. Duck were to go off into the wilderness, he’d not stop being Mr. Duck?”

6

Tortoise:

“Maybe we can say that the Mr. Duck we see here would not be the same Mr. Duck as one who has no wife or children.”

7

Rabbit:

“Yet, there is Mr. Duck to whom we can refer by name.”

8

Tortoise:

“So, Mr. Duck is both his own self and also deeply interconnected with his family.”

9

Rabbit:

“Maybe we can say so, yes. Mr. Duck can be thought of in more than one way.”

10

They greet Mr. Duck and exchange about the latest news, happily.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise find themselves trapped by rain, hiding under a large tree.

2

Rabbit:

“We should defy the rain and build ourselves a raincoat from the nearby leaves!”

3

Tortoise:

“I believe it to be better to wait until the rain subsides. We must not be forceful about this.”

4

Rabbit:

“If we don’t take things into our own paws, we might be stranded for days!”

5

Tortoise:

“Yet, if we were to go on now, we might be lost in a cold, thick rain and perish.”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe we should try for the next tree or a cave. If it rains too hard, we can take shelter again.”

7

Tortoise:

“You might be right. The rain doesn’t seem too strong to try a little step forward.”

8

Rabbit:

“Thus, neither do we stand still, nor do we risk too much!”

9

Tortoise:

“We shall barter with the weather and take it one step at a time.”

10

Thus, they craft raincoats and carefully make their way to a nearby cave.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise find themselves in a cave and observe a spider weaving her web.

2

Tortoise:

“See this spider: Her ancestors have done as she does, and it works. Truly, things are best when they imitate their ancestors!”

3

Rabbit:

“But didn’t you know that her ancestors once were spiders living in forests – now this one lives in a cave. Surely, she changed the ways of things.”

4

Tortoise:

“The forest provided shelter. The cave provides better shelter. Thus, the spider merely exceeded her ancestors in what they were doing!”

5

Rabbit:

“Might it be that we needn’t reinvent it all, but merely refine on what can be improved upon?”

6

Tortoise:

“And maybe if we were to stick to the heritage too much, changes might catch up with us.”

7

Rabbit:

“Thus, improve on what needs improvement, but in ways that have been proven to be efficient.”

8

Tortoise:

“Like this, neither do we stand still, nor do we change towards an even worse outcome.”

9

Rabbit:

“Likewise, this spider weaves as her ancestors did, yet weaves in a new location, unlike her ancestors. She knows her way.”

10

They contently watch the spider as she is just about to finish her arduous work and rest.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise observe the rain from inside the cave, when their attention wanders again to the spider in her web.

2

Tortoise:

“This spider surely defeated the weather by finding better shelter in this safe cave!”

3

Rabbit:

“Surely, this was her being defeated by the weather: Had she won, would she have built stronger webs in the forest in midst of rain. But she retreated.”

4

Tortoise:

“While she may also have won, she achieved success here with much less effort. This is considered victory.”

5

Rabbit:

“Maybe not every battle is won using force, you say?”

6

Tortoise:

“And maybe not every victory is equally valuable.”

7

Rabbit:

“The spider won her security in the cave.”

8

Tortoise:

“But she lost her freedom in the forest.”

9

Rabbit:

“Maybe there is no victory without some defeat, and no defeat without some victory.”

10

They both observe a little fly being caught in the spider’s web, struggling to free itself.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise watch the struggling fly in the spider’s web with worry.

2

Rabbit:

“We must free this fly! Its life is in danger!”

3

Tortoise:

“If we do that, we put the spider’s life in danger – for it must eat to survive.”

4

Rabbit:

“Why though do I have compassion if it is not the right thing to do?”

5

Tortoise:

“Maybe you didn’t think of the spider’s health – or do you not feel compassion towards her?”

6

Rabbit:

“Now I feel compassion for both, but if I help one, I hurt the other.”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe there is no way for us to help both.”

8

As they grow more distressed, just then, a cricket hops onto the web and consumes the spider before their eyes.

9

Rabbit:

“Look! The cricket ate the spider! The fly is free!”

10

Tortoise:

“Thus, it wasn’t up to us to make a decision.”

11

They free the fly and watch it escape into freedom.

ID

Entry

1

As the sun comes out again, Rabbit and Tortoise leave the cave and head towards the next village, where they hear the latest rumours.

2

Rabbit:

“Did you hear? Buffalo was in bed ill. What great misfortune for Buffalo!”

3

Tortoise:

“I have heard. But I have also heard that because of this, Buffalo was freed from having to work the fields the coming day. What great fortune for Buffalo!”

4

Rabbit:

“This I have also heard. But didn’t you hear? Because of that, Buffalo missed the chance to meet lady Buffalo at the fields. What great misfortune for Buffalo!”

5

Tortoise:

“This, I have heard, yes. But it is also said that lady Buffalo was disinterested until she came to tend to Buffalo as he laid ill. What great fortune for Buffalo!”

6

Rabbit:

“Can we really say what is fortune and what is misfortune?”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe what is fortunate today is unfortunate tomorrow.”

8

Rabbit:

“I wonder what will happen to those two – Buffalo and lady Buffalo…”

9

Tortoise:

“Who can truly know… who can truly know…”

10

In deep thoughts, they walk down the road of the village.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise walked down the road until they came to their good friend, Panda’s, house.

2

Panda:

“My friends! Can you tell me what a flower is?”

3

Rabbit:

“Yes. A flower is a type of reproductive structure of plants, which contains both male and female organs, surrounded by colourful petals.”

4

Panda:

“And can you tell me what a book is?”

5

Tortoise:

“Oh, yes. A book is a collection of pages tied together.”

6

Panda:

“And what about happiness? Can you tell me what happiness is?”

7

Rabbit:

“Sure. It is a feeling of contentment and peace.”

8

Tortoise:

“Not quite. When we’re excited, we can still be happy.”

9

The two go back and forth on a definition, when they turn to Panda.

10

Rabbit:

“Panda, how would you define happiness?”

11

Panda laughs cheerfully, rolling in the grass under the sun.

12

Rabbit:

“Maybe, for some things, words are not the solution.”

13

Tortoise:

“And for other things, they are.”

14

The three enjoy the warm sunlight in silence.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise find themselves lying to Panda about the surprise party they wanted to throw for him.

2

Rabbit:

“Tortoise, we have lied to our dear friend, Panda. Lying is wrong.”

3

Tortoise:

“Had we not lied to Panda, he’d have found out about the party – the surprise would’ve been ruined. Lying isn’t intrinsically right or wrong.”

4

Rabbit:

“Maybe this time, it was not bad, but in and of itself, lying is wrong.”

5

Tortoise:

“If lying can lead to good, how can it be bad? There is nothing to lying itself that makes it right or wrong.”

6

Rabbit:

“Could we maybe say that intrinsically, lying cannot be right or wrong, but once a situation is established, lying gets a value in the context?”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe lying is as right or wrong as the situation allows it to be.”

8

Rabbit:

“Thus, there is no essential, intrinsic value to lying.”

9

Tortoise:

“But it has to be evaluated within a complex situation.”

10

Content with their resolution, they plan Panda’s surprise party.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise write party cards, which is Rabbit’s strength.

2

Rabbit:

“Look how great I, Rabbit, can write cards!”

3

Tortoise:

“Can we speak of humility in this, Rabbit?”

4

Rabbit:

“Great qualities should be spoken out loud – one should be proud of their strengths.”

5

Tortoise:

“Yet arrogance and excessive pride are risked, are they not?”

6

Rabbit:

“If we’re too humble, we may miss to let others know of our strengths, or may even feel inadequate.”

7

Tortoise:

“Greatness is discovered, not shown – and adequacy can be felt even with humility.”

8

Rabbit:

“Maybe it is that both excessive pride and extreme humility may be worthy of criticism.”

9

Tortoise:

“Thus, find the right measure between them and keep moderation, no?”

10

They both continue with the cards, where each writes in their own way.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise listen to the wind carrying the sounds of all directions.

2

Rabbit:

“Like the sounds that the wind carries, even the invisible void is full; this world is full of meaning – how wonderful.”

3

Tortoise:

“Without Rabbit to give the wind this voice, the void is exactly that – void. There is no meaning.”

4

Rabbit:

“If there were no meaning, how could we navigate the world and discover beauty, good and truth?”

5

Tortoise:

“Much like how the wind’s sound is but with your ears alone, outside of the mind, at least, meaning is nowhere to be found.”

6

Rabbit:

“...do you think it is us who create meaning?”

7

Tortoise:

“And maybe, because it is created, it is real – regardless of origin.”

8

Rabbit:

“The void may be empty of meaning, but if the wind carries meaning there, it exists.”

9

Tortoise:

“Neither non-existent, nor self-existent – meaning is a creative act.”

10

They continue to listen to the wind, which subsides into tranquillity.

ID

Entry

1

As Rabbit and Tortoise are enjoying the calm air, Crane flies across the sky and sings.

2

Crane:

“Two lovers embrace; without this, two figures – twisted arms – standing awkwardly around.”

3

Crane:

“The lost one cries in despair; without this, bits of water flowing down the curves of a head.”

4

Crane:

“Friends unite and smiles embellish their faces; without this, crude distortions in the skin.”

5

Crane:

“Truly, this is mind, this is giver of meaning, this is the poet of reality!”

6

Rabbit and Tortoise wave at Crane as Crane disappears behind trees.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise are having tea and cookies.

2

Rabbit:

“Tortoise, I could eat all of these cookies – they’re so delicious!”

3

Tortoise:

“Rabbit, practice moderation. It is not good to do things in extreme ways.”

4

Rabbit:

“Is it not? What if someone is drowning? Shouldn’t we extremely help them and not be moderate in this?”

5

Tortoise:

“Maybe there are things where moderation is the way, and other things where we need to be extreme?”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe it is about learning which things require moderation, and which do not.”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe there is a rule to this...”

8

They both sink into thoughts upon this realisation, leaving the tea to cool down.

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise play a game of cards, when Tortoise is taking their time.

2

Rabbit:

“Tortoise, you need to make a decision. It is your turn.”

3

Tortoise:

“Don’t you know: Haste makes for bad outcomes.”

4

Rabbit:

“But if you never decide, opportunities will fall away.”

5

Tortoise:

“If we decide so quickly, it is like the fisherman who sails to shore with the smallest fish, thinking he had caught the biggest of them all already.”

6

Rabbit:

“And if we never decide, the fish will escape our grasp.”

7

Tortoise:

“Sometimes, it is better to not do if one is unsure, rather than do and consciously make a blunder.”

8

Rabbit:

“Maybe these things come in degrees: Sometimes, we need to take our time.”

9

Tortoise:

“And sometimes we need to be decisive.”

10

Then, Tortoise plays his card; a victory has been achieved.

Explanation

1

Whether to make quick, decisive and firm decisions or ponder, wait and delay decisions; that is the question.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise send out their party cards and remember their friend, Panda.

2

Rabbit:

“I’m sure this will make Panda happy – the most important thing, isn’t it!”

3

Tortoise:

“Think about this: If happiness were the most important, then a thief stealing and gaining happiness from this would be good, no?”

4

Rabbit:

“It is only not good because it deprives someone else from their happiness when they’re being stolen from.”

5

Tortoise:

“Let’s suppose the one being stolen from doesn’t even realise they lost something and aren’t unhappy. Was the theft still wrong?”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe there are other things to think about, too?”

7

Tortoise:

“And surely, happiness seems to be difficult to not desire.”

8

Rabbit:

“Maybe happiness is a product of otherwise good conditions?”

9

Tortoise:

“Or maybe multiple conditions need to come together, including happiness?”

10

They think about this as they observe the post office worker carry the cards to their destination.

Explanation

1

Should we pursue happiness? What are other factors that are important? What can go wrong when we do so? This is the question.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise return to their stay, and on the way encounter Mrs. Horse, the teacher.

2

Tortoise:

“I’ve heard that Mrs. Horse is the best teacher around. She is soft, gentle and calm with her students. They follow her well.”

3

Rabbit:

“I’ve heard that Mr. Ox is the best teacher around. He is disciplined, strict and direct with his students. They obey him well.”

4

Tortoise:

“Hard ways will cause suffering, Rabbit.”

5

Rabbit:

“Soft ways cannot convince nor guide someone, Tortoise.”

6

Tortoise:

“If we treat others in strict manners, they might fear us.”

7

Rabbit:

“If we don’t command respect, how will others listen to us?”

8

Tortoise:

“Maybe it is that we need to know who will respond to which approach best.”

9

Rabbit:

“And treat everyone fairly, the way they will best feel understood.”

10

They observe Mrs. Horse heading to the school, where her students greet her with delight.

Explanation

1

Whether we should be soft-mannered or hard-mannered, gentle or strict, be loved or feared, such are the objects of this question.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise receive a letter from the mayor, Tiger.

2

Tiger:

“Dear Rabbit and dear Tortoise, you two might help me: Our people are well, but a slight few cause trouble. How should my rules be: strict or lenient?”

3

Rabbit:

“Clearly, since there are those who cause trouble, rules have to be strict. Otherwise, these won’t listen.”

4

Tortoise:

“If we do that, the many gentle ones will feel harshly treated and be unwell. We should have lenient rules.”

5

Rabbit:

“Authority must be enforced, or order will never be accomplished.”

6

Tortoise:

“The gentle ruler will find people follow; order comes from internal motivation, not force.”

7

Rabbit:

“Maybe we should advise Tiger to be gentle in his rules, but harsh in consequences for breaking them?”

8

Tortoise:

“Thus, society will be free but clearly governed?”

9

They write a response to Tiger, sending the letter on its way.

Explanation

1

The tension between freedom and control, between softness and hardness, etc., is a recurring theme within such discourses as political philosophy.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise overhear a conversation in the village.

2

Villager:

“Everything happens for a reason.”

3

Tortoise speaks to Rabbit.

4

Tortoise:

“Whatever does it mean to say: ‘Everything happens for a reason.’? It seems vacuous and without meaning.”

5

Rabbit:

“Clearly, this means that we cannot know everything and must accept certain things. This is helpful for the listener to hear.”

6

Tortoise:

“It stifles conversation and thought. There is no truth except for the truth the statement already adorns itself with.”

7

Rabbit:

“Not everything has to resolve in truth. Some statements are made to provoke a certain feeling.”

8

Tortoise:

“Yet there is nothing the listener could add. The conversation will come to a halt.”

9

Rabbit:

“Maybe it is about recognising this tension and resolving it by probing deeper with questions?”

10

Tortoise:

“And using it as a rhetoric means to advance a discussion.”

11

They both see the villagers discussing vividly about some matter.

Explanation

1

While every statement may have meaning, the question is whether there are vacuous statements that don’t contribute to a discussion, analysis or investigation, or not. And if they exist, how to deal with them.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise find themselves wandering near a blooming orchard.

2

Rabbit:

“Whence do these flowers come?”

3

Tortoise:

“They come from the branches.”

4

Rabbit:

“And whence do the branches come?”

5

Tortoise:

“They come from the stem.”

6

Rabbit:

“And whence does the stem come from?”

7

Tortoise:

“It comes from the roots.”

8

Rabbit:

“Could we say that at some point, there is a ground to this questioning?”

9

Tortoise:

“Some things, we cannot know. This, we must accept.”

10

Rabbit:

“But that renders us lame. We should question and discover.”

11

Tortoise:

“If we think this way, we commit two errors: One, we assume too highly of ourselves. Two, we expect too much of ourselves.”

12

Rabbit:

“If we said this, we’d have given up too easily and never made any discoveries. Clearly that is an ill in and of itself, too.”

13

Tortoise:

“Maybe, we should not expect to know everything, but try at least.”

14

Rabbit:

“And maybe, while we can have confidence, we should also remain humble.”

15

They observe bees being drawn to the flowers, dancing in the sunlight.

Explanation

1

Whether we should think of ourselves as being able to know everything, or surrender to humility and not-knowing, is the question.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise remember the last harvest and discuss.

2

Rabbit:

“The farmer gathered his harvest too late – he should’ve taken what he was given.”

3

Tortoise:

“The farmer gathered his harvest too early – he should’ve waited for better yields.”

4

Rabbit:

“But is this not ungrateful, to not take what has been given and expect more?”

5

Tortoise:

“And is it not too greedy and hasty, taking what has been given without evaluating the possible refinements?”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe, if we act too quickly, we miss out on possible opportunities.”

7

Tortoise:

“Likewise, we can be thankful for what we’ve been given, too, and act more readily.”

8

Rabbit:

“Thus, we need to carefully weigh this and decide with a calm mind.”

9

Tortoise:

“And neither let opportunities slip nor hinder their development, and be thankful for what has been given.”

10

They are about to leave the orchard as the farmer offers them fresh fruit.

Explanation

1

Here, the question is whether we should settle for what has been given or hope for more.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise meet Hawk on their way to the forest.

2

Hawk:

“My friends! Tell me: Am I a tiny sparrow or a mighty phoenix? Which do you see me as?”

3

Rabbit:

“Your wings are extensive and span wide. Clearly, you should see yourself as a mighty phoenix.”

4

Tortoise:

“If you do this, you will stumble in life. If you see yourself as a sparrow, you will be more careful and put in effort.”

5

Rabbit:

“But if Hawk does so, then Hawk will be discouraged. And Hawk will underestimate their strength and possibly harm others.”

6

Tortoise:

“To see oneself as a great phoenix brings arrogance. Soon, nothing will be good enough for oneself anymore.”

7

Rabbit:

“And to see oneself as a sparrow undervalues oneself. Soon, everything will be acceptable.”

8

Tortoise:

“Maybe Hawk should see themselves as having Hawk’s nature.”

9

Rabbit:

“Neither excessive in one, nor the other direction.”

10

Hawk:

“Hawk is Hawk. I like that. Thank you, my friends!”

11

The three continue on a bit together through the cool, shaded forest.

Explanation

1

If we see ourselves in an inflated way, this could breed problems; but so can if we see ourselves in a deflated way. How should we go on about this?

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise walk through the forest with their friend, Hawk, when they visit Lady Fox’s hut.

2

Lady Fox:

“How good of you to visit me. I have heard your conversation from earlier through the thicket.”

3

Hawk:

“I seek to know myself.”

4

Lady Fox:

“Earlier this season, I have found this miraculous mirror in a pond nearby. Would you like to take a look, Hawk? It can show things no other mirror will show you.”

5

Hawk:

“I will take a look, and I will learn about myself.”

6

Hawk gazes into the mirror and is absorbed in contemplation.

7

Hawk:

“Hawk expected a simple reflection, but sees something else.”

8

Rabbit:

“Clearly, Hawk is seeing his true Self – it is essential and absolute.”

9

Tortoise:

“Clearly, there is no Self – Hawk sees the void itself.”

10

Hawk:

“Like a river, Hawk flows through time. Like a sound in a melody, Hawk is a branch in a tree. Hawk is Hawk.”

11

Rabbit:

“So you see a Self, yet it is not fixed?”

12

Tortoise:

“And while there is nothing substantial, something can be named?”

13

They all sit in silence and ponder what this all means.

Explanation

1

Is there an absolute, fixed Self that is unaffected by things? Is there no Self and is this merely an illusion? This reminds us, again, of the “Middle Way” in Buddhism – the Self resembling a melody that changes over time, with no one fixed moment to be called the “true” Self.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise leave Hawk with Lady Fox and set off on their way, when they hear Crane singing deep in the forest.

2

Crane:

“What is the name of this song?”

3

Crane:

“Is it the asking of a name?”

4

Crane:

“Can we know the name before the song has ended?”

5

Crane:

“O life! How can I know you if I need to complete you first?”

6

Crane:

“What is the name of a sung being sung?”

7

The two listen in contemplation, reflecting on Hawk’s questions.

Explanation

1

Before something is over, completed and finished, how can it be identified? If life needs to first be over for us to identify it, can we ever know ourselves?

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise leave the forest and come to the beach of the nearby sea, where they listen contently to the sounds of the crashing waves.

2

Tortoise:

“Look at the waves. Can one really say where the shore begins and the sea ends?”

3

Rabbit:

“Clearly, it is where the waves end, where the beach begins.”

4

Tortoise:

“But it is that very line that cannot be drawn, for the waves constantly flow in and out, shifting any such line.”

5

Rabbit:

“This doesn’t mean that there is no boundary, just that it is moving.”

6

Tortoise:

“Can you distinguish between the wetness of the wave and the wetness of the sand around it, to say which the wave is?”

7

Rabbit:

“If we had eyes subtle enough, we might be able to differentiate them, thus drawing a line in the sand.”

8

Tortoise:

“Maybe in theory, such a distinction can be drawn.”

9

Rabbit:

“But in practice and reality, the changing and subtle boundaries seem to be impossible to define.”

10

They both observe little crabs swimming back and forth with the waves.

Explanation

1

Do things have discrete and clear boundaries, or are they vague, continuous or even paradoxical? This question is explored here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise take a swim in the sea and warm up under the sun afterwards.

2

Rabbit:

“Right now, I am so happy. It must be because of this swim.”

3

Tortoise:

“While the swim was good, you seem happier than me – therefore, the swim itself couldn’t have been the source if it didn’t affect me equally.”

4

Rabbit:

“Maybe you are more resistant? If one has a thick shell, the warmth of a fire might warm them less.”

5

Tortoise:

“But consider this: Can there be resistance to happiness? Is it not so that everyone has a different way of becoming happy?”

6

Rabbit:

“Then happiness cannot come from without, you mean?”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe not. It is not in the swim, at least.”

8

Rabbit:

“What if happiness is a reaction to a situation?”

9

Tortoise:

“Thus, it isn’t found in the external world. It stems from the mind alone.”

10

They both observe sea gulls hovering over the waves, looking for food.

Explanation

1

Whence does happiness come from? What is the origin, what the source, of happiness? This is the question here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise observe two types of sea gulls: one skinny, the other fat.

2

Rabbit:

“The fat sea gull does it right. They eat to their heart’s content. Pleasure is the goal.”

3

Tortoise:

“The skinny sea gull does it right. They practice modesty and refrain from overeating. Self-control is the goal.”

4

Rabbit:

“Why should one restrain themselves? Why not live life fully?”

5

Tortoise:

“Eating carelessly leads to gluttony; all kinds of troubles come with it.”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe this third sea gull, well-fed but fit, is more admirable?”

7

Tortoise:

“They take care of themselves – in moderation, not in extreme ways.”

8

Rabbit:

“They don’t risk excess nor needless hardship.”

9

Tortoise:

“Truly, this sea gull knows how to live!”

10

They watch as the sea gulls fight over the food.

Explanation

1

Whether to live fully to one’s heart’s content, or to restrain oneself and one’s desires, is the question here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise see Weasel paint a painting at the shore.

2

Tortoise:

“Weasel holds the brush gently, taking his time to paint. How good!”

3

Rabbit:

“But Weasel sketches fiercely, losing no time in expressing themselves. How good!”

4

Tortoise:

“It is important to take one’s time and not rush things. Put care into your work.”

5

Rabbit:

“It is better to get things done and take some risks. Otherwise, no work will ever be completed.”

6

Tortoise:

“Could it maybe be said that one should be steady in preparation?”

7

Rabbit:

“And once those are done, be swift in execution?”

8

Tortoise:

“Truly, Weasel has mastered the two.”

9

Rabbit:

“Weasel calmly prepares their painting, and brushes across it swiftly.”

10

They watch as Weasel skilfully represents the sea view in their painting.

Explanation

1

Whether to do things in a slow but steady manner, or rather a swift but more unsure manner, is the question here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise return from the beach to Panda’s house, where they find Panda in meditation.

2

Rabbit:

“Silence! Panda is in meditation. He must be training his mind.”

3

Tortoise:

“I’ve heard that he achieves great happiness whenever he does so.”

4

Rabbit:

“What do you think he is doing when he meditates?”

5

Tortoise:

“I’m sure the goal is to be without attachment and being accepting of changes.”

6

Rabbit:

“Or maybe it is practicing kindness and compassion, and to be grateful for everything he has.”

7

Tortoise:

“He must be training himself to embrace suffering, I believe.”

8

Rabbit:

“What if he is exploring his own values and affirms himself?”

9

Panda:

“...”

10

They try meditation as well, sitting beneath the trees in Panda’s garden.

Explanation

1

In order to attain happiness, if it comes from within the mind, the mind must be trained and cultivated. But what are these methods of doing so?

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise arise from meditation, where they observed their thoughts.

2

Rabbit:

“I had a scary thought, so I pushed against it like a mighty tiger. But it fought back even stronger!”

3

Tortoise:

“I had a frightful thought, so I ran away like a lightning. But it chased me even more fiercely!”

4

Rabbit:

“No matter how hard I fought them, they were always mightier.”

5

Tortoise:

“And no matter where I went, they always found me.”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe we should try to accept them, not fight them?”

7

Tortoise:

“And not use resistance nor force, but merely observe?”

8

Rabbit:

“Like a cloud in the sky that passes by.”

9

Tortoise:

“Or like water that keeps flowing, unobstructed.”

10

They observe Panda as he sits in meditation, wondering how he does that.

Explanation

1

The way our thoughts seem to work indicate that they become stronger when force is applied to them, making non-judgemental awareness a key method in meditation.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise get served some cookies by Panda, who leaves them to make tea.

2

Tortoise:

“Listen, Rabbit. The birds are laughing about something. It might be a fun joke.”

3

Rabbit:

“Jokes can be cruel and hurt people. And we shouldn’t fall into becoming unserious about things.”

4

Tortoise:

“Rabbit, while they may hurt, this is an important means to discuss difficult topics. And while we joke about something, this can also show affection.”

5

Rabbit:

“But in and of themselves, jokes are about the misery of someone. This is not right to do with certain topics.”

6

Tortoise:

“Maybe, while we can joke about things, there has to be the right setting.”

7

Rabbit:

“And maybe, we shouldn’t disallow jokes too quickly, but find a constructive way of integrating them into a discourse that can help a community.”

8

They sit eating cookies, when Panda returns with hot tea.

Explanation

1

The question of whether jokes require limits or not is one that is explored here. If there are limits, then how should those limits be and what do they serve?

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise sip on tea and eat cookies with their friend, Panda.

2

Panda:

“Friends! How should one give and take praise?”

3

Rabbit:

“One should give praise and receive it thankfully. This is satisfactory for the ego.”

4

Tortoise:

“One should be frugal in giving praise, and receive it reluctantly. Praise makes of a Hawk a mighty Phoenix, which can be dangerous.”

5

Rabbit:

“Without praise, the ego will be small. The person will be without courage, will and joy.”

6

Tortoise:

“With praise, the ego will be large. The person will be lazy, arrogant and insensitive.”

7

Rabbit:

“Maybe we can give praise where praise is due, but not depend on receiving it from others?”

8

Tortoise:

“And maybe we should be thankfully receiving praise, but practice humility all the while?”

9

They thus praise Panda for his delicious tea and cookies, and Panda laughs.

Explanation

1

What are the dangers of an inflated and a deflated ego? What are the right ways of praising and receiving praise? These are some of the questions here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise recall a story of a village of squirrels, who have three farmers amongst them.

2

Rabbit:

“So, the farmer of the West had seeds, and pounded them all into flour to make bread with. They couldn’t even eat all of the bread.”

3

Tortoise:

“And when autumn came, was hungry, because they didn’t prepare any harvest.”

4

Rabbit:

“Yes. And there was the farmer of the East, who planted all the seeds they had, and when harvest season came, had too much to eat.”

5

Tortoise:

“And they suffered hunger in spring, not eating any of the seeds.”

6

Rabbit:

“Yes. But the farmer of the Middle carefully set aside some seeds for planting, and some for making bread with.”

7

Tortoise:

“Thus being well fed in spring, and in autumn.”

8

Rabbit:

“Truly, in good times, we should prepare for the future.”

9

Tortoise:

“Yet also enjoy the times as they are.”

10

They both nibble on the cakes that their friend, Panda, made for them.

Explanation

1

How should we treat good times: As times to be enjoyed fully or to be reserved and resourceful in? This is the question, here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise sit in Panda’s garden, when Rabbit presents a box of raspberries.

2

Rabbit:

“Here, I’ve brought them for all of you. Enjoy them. You will never eat such delicious berries elsewhere.”

3

Tortoise:

“How kind of you, Rabbit. But I do recall that one incident, where Sparrow would refuse to eat anything else anymore after having tasted these delicious raspberries.”

4

Rabbit:

“If our senses tell us that it is delicious, we should better believe them and eat.”

5

Tortoise:

“If this were so, Sparrow did right in eating only raspberries from that day forward. But he got ill from too many raspberries.”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe usually, we can trust our senses, but sometimes, we ought to be careful?”

7

Tortoise:

“It seems so. Thus, if something is pleasurable, can we truly say that we should always listen to pleasure as a goal?”

8

Rabbit:

“Maybe we should be more thoughtful about this and question pleasure.”

9

Tortoise:

“It seems so. Maybe pleasure is like raspberries – it can become, amongst things, addictive.”

10

They take a raspberry or two with suspicion.

Explanation

1

If pleasure tells us that something is good, but we can also suffer from pleasurable things, how can we truly rely on pleasure to be a good indicator of good? This is the question, here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise ponder about what the goal of life could be.

2

Rabbit:

“I say it is happiness. Very simple. We like it, that’s why it’s good.”

3

Tortoise:

“But happiness can lead to difficulties, such as injustice. I say it is to simply live, whatever way.”

4

Rabbit:

“But this can lead to great problems, like suffering – surely happiness is of some value, too?”

5

Tortoise:

“Maybe it is not just about living in any capacity, nor is it about only happiness.”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe it is more akin to living in a particularly good way, where we are fulfilling beauty.”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe. Maybe this is akin to a dance that we must first learn, and to fulfil such forms and shapes is considered a good life.”

8

Rabbit:

“Which might often lead to happiness, too.”

9

Tortoise:

“And certainly involves living.”

10

They both look content and, for now, tend to other matters.

Explanation

1

What is the ultimate goal of life and how should we live our lives to have lived a “good life”? That is the question here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise sit contently in Panda’s garden.

2

Panda:

“Friends. You have speculated about your own lives. But what could be the goal of life itself? Where is this headed?”

3

Tortoise:

“I believe there is no end, no goal, nothing of this kind.”

4

Rabbit:

“Clearly, it leads to some big goal like the development of civilisations.”

5

Tortoise:

“The only thing we might observe is that it develops, but how?”

6

Rabbit:

“Maybe it is about discovering new ways of being?”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe we’re part of a process of the world getting to know itself?”

8

Rabbit:

“Or maybe it is about creating happy stories?”

9

Panda:

“Interesting. So, something develops, but we can’t say clearly what...”

10

They all take a deep sip of hot tea and sit in silence.

Explanation

1

Where do things aim towards? And if there is no aim, what is the trend of things, specifically life? That is the question here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise observe a falling leaf and discuss.

2

Rabbit:

“Like this, we will all one day leave this world.”

3

Tortoise:

“It is helpful to think about these things. We should make a daily habit out of it.”

4

Rabbit:

“If we do that, we will become very sad, fearful and cannot stop worrying.”

5

Tortoise:

“Only like this will we be able to be motivated, appreciate things and take care of things.”

6

Rabbit:

“This is not realistic. It will lead to bad decisions, stemming from stress.”

7

Tortoise:

“Maybe we should acknowledge things as they are, but not ponder them too much?”

8

Rabbit:

“And maybe we shouldn’t suppress them, but accept them as they are?”

9

Tortoise:

“This way, we neither run nor chase – we are.”

10

They observe fishes swim towards the fallen leaf in curiosity.

Explanation

1

Whether we should focus on bad things or clearly avoid them, is the question here.

Discussion

ID

Entry

1

Rabbit and Tortoise leave their friend, Panda, and head for the hot springs, when they discuss the Middle Way.

2

Rabbit:

“If things are dependent on other things for their existence, Rabbit on body and mind, body on fur and paws, fur on this and that, does this ever end?”