Classic Stories Through a Buddhist Lens

# Classic Stories Through a Buddhist Lens

### Classic Buddhist Stories: The Ruru Deer

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
7:00–8:00 PM (PT) • Zoom
Facilitated by Pascale Dellefield
Join us for the opening class in our Classic Buddhist Stories series as we explore The Ruru Deer Jātaka, a timeless Buddhist story of compassion, gratitude, betrayal, integrity, and moral courage.
The Ruru Deer saves a man from danger and asks only that his whereabouts remain secret. When that trust is later broken, the story raises profound questions about how we respond when compassion is met with betrayal.
Through meditation, storytelling, and group discussion, we’ll explore:

• Compassion without naïveté
• Gratitude and betrayal
• Integrity and moral courage
• Karma and the consequences of our actions
• Responding to harm without hatred
• The bodhisattva ideal

We’ll also consider how this ancient story speaks to contemporary life: Can we remain compassionate while maintaining boundaries? What does integrity look like when trust has been violated?
No previous knowledge of Buddhism or the Jātaka tales is necessary.
Everyone is warmly welcome.
San Diego Shambhala Meditation Center
Cultivating Wisdom • Compassion • Generosity
Free • Donations Welcome
Online via Zoom
💻 For more information and Zoom Link, visit (https://sandiego.shambhala.org/)
Email us at: [[Sandiego@shambhala.org](mailto:Sandiego@shambhala.org)]
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