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70 pages 2 hours read

Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016

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Essay Topics

1.

Analyze how The Book of Joy integrates Buddhist and Christian perspectives to present a unified view of joy and suffering. What are the potential tensions and differences between these religious perspectives? What are the similarities? Discuss the role of this interfaith approach in contributing to the book’s themes.

2.

Examine how the personal stories of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu contribute to the thematic development of The Book of Joy. How do their life experiences reinforce the book’s messages on resilience, compassion, and joy?

3.

Discuss the structure and significance of the “Eight Pillars of Joy” as outlined in the book. How do these pillars interconnect, and what is their collective impact on the book’s overall message?

4.

Explore how the cultural and historical backgrounds of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu influence their perspectives on joy, adversity, and compassion in the book. How do their experiences with political and social upheaval inform their teachings?

5.

Examine the use of literary devices such as metaphor, analogy, and narrative storytelling in The Book of Joy. How do these techniques enhance the book’s spiritual and philosophical messages?

6.

Analyze the dynamic between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu in the book. How does their friendship and mutual respect shape the dialogue and contribute to the book’s effectiveness in conveying its messages?

7.

Explore the paradoxical relationship between suffering and joy as presented in the book. How do the authors use their personal and philosophical insights to illustrate that joy can emerge from adversity?

8.

Examine how The Book of Joy links ethical living with the pursuit of joy. Analyze how the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu argue that moral behavior and ethical choices contribute to a deeper sense of joy and satisfaction.

9.

Analyze the discussion of the mind-body connection in The Book of Joy. How do the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu incorporate this concept into their teachings on health, happiness, and spiritual well-being?

10.

How do both the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu draw from their experiences of political repression in their spiritual teachings? How do they balance an emphasis on personal agency in choosing how one responds to uncontrollable circumstances with a sense of collective responsibility to work toward a more just world?

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