Class Puzzle

Title: Class Puzzle

Status: SUBMITTED

Grade Level: 6, 7, 8, HS

Keywords: Acceptance, Interdependence/Interconnectedness, Emptiness

Objective:

• The student will know that we are all interdependent,  interconnected and accepted by Amida Buddha.

Materials:

• Blank puzzle pieces or a template to make. Cut or separate the pieces.  Blank puzzles are available on Amazon, Staples and Michaels.

• Colored markers and/or pencils

• Double sided tape or glue if the pieces will be permanently affixed.

• Poster board (or other hard paper surface) that is larger than the completed puzzle if the pieces will be permanently affixed.

• Temporary adhesive if the pieces will be temporarily affixed.

Preparation:

• If needed, trim the poster board to the appropriate size

• Separate out the puzzle pieces

Steps:

1. Ask the students the following questions

   1. 1.  Do they know what it means to be accepted and loved by the Buddha just as they are.

      2.  Do they think they will still be accepted even f they are filled with the 3 Poisons (Greed, Anger, Stupidity/Ignorance) Can discuss the 3 Poisons if needed.

      3. Discuss how everyone whether young/old rich/poor, girl/boy, tall/short, etc. is embraced by the Buddha's wisdom and compassion, even those filled with the 3 Poisons, as long as they entrust in the Amida's Vow (18th Vow in the Larger Amida Sutra). Can discuss parts of Ju Sei Ge, the Contemplation or Amida Sutra that demonstrate Amida's acceptance of all. (This question maybe skipped if the students have not yet been exposed to these sutras.)

      4. Ask the students why they think it is important to understand that Amida Buddha accepts everyone just as they are. Have the students reflect on how that makes them feel.

      5. Ask the students how we show thanks or gratitude for the Amida Buddha saving all of us just the way we are. Discuss the Nembutsu.

2. Pass out a puzzle pieces (1 per student). 

3. Have the students write something that no one else may know about them or something that makes them unique on the puzzle piece.

4. The student writes thei names on the back of the puzzle piece if desired.

5. Have the students put the puzzle together.

6. Read out loud the different puzzle pieces. Preface it by saying that there will be no comments or judgments mad.

7. If desired, put temporary adhesive or glue on the backs of the puzzle pieces, and adhere to the poster board to hang the completed puzzle in the classroom 

8. Can further discuss how we should try to be like the Buddha and accept, understand and respect all even those that have different interests of opinions.

9. Have the students agree on a title: Examples: "We All Fit Together", "Buddha Loves Us Just The Way We ARe", "This is our Dharma School Class. Each one of us unique. And when we come together, the puzzle is complete"

10. Review how everyone is accepted and respected by the Buddha no matter what they look like, etc. and that we should try to be like the Buddha and accept, understand and respect all even those that look different or have different interests than us.

Evaluation:

• During the review step, ask the students what they found memorable.

Note:

There are PreSchool/Kindergarten and elementary school  versions of this lesson.

Several videos that can be shown prior to the students making their puzzle pieces (if time allows):

• "Buddhist Stories - The Sutra Story 1, Upali's Becoming a Monk". This video was originally created by the Nishi Hongwanji in Japan. Due to contractual issues, they did not produce an English version. However, it has been dubbed in Mandarin Chinese and in Korean.  This version has English subtitles. Version also exists with subtitles in Korean, Chinese and English.

• "UH West Oahu -Building a beloved community: Boy With a Gift" by Aunty Puanani Burgess and Michelle Zheng shows how everyone can contribute to a community. Can discuss how the boy was able to realize he had a gift and accept himself. Everyone has a different gift to share. Discussion after can addresshow we are not judged by the Buddha and that we all have the potential to become a Buddha based on the 18th Vow. (@5 minutes)

Author:

Southern District, Presented at the 2025 FDSTL Conference.