Theravada Buddhism
Status: MODERATED
Grade Level: High School
Keywords: Theravada, Basic Buddhism
Objective:
The students will be able to recall two of the practices
The students will be able to recall one of the central tenets of Theravada Buddhism
The students will be able to recall on the countries in which Theravada Buddhism is prevalent
Materials:
Presentation (If desired use a powerpoint presentation)
Tripitaka Sheet - Bramajaia Sutta SuttaPitaka-BrahmajalaSutta.odt
Writing Sheet
Background to Theravada Buddhism Background.txt
Preparation:
Powerpoint presentation is best when presented using a projector
Method:
Opening Gassho
Presentation
What did Shakamuni Buddha teach and do?
3 Treasures
4 Noble Truths
8-fold Noble Path
6 Paramitas
Establishment of Sanghas
What happened after Shakamuni Buddha's death?
Practices (Do each)
Sitting Meditation
Explain meditation :
Slow the mind so that you can rest and concentrate on a selected though
Sit straight
Breath easily, from the diaphragm.
Explain "monkey mind" (how a 'quiet' mind goes from one thought to the next)
Help start by using cleansing breaths (Inhale, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Exhale, 2, 3,...)
Set a time limit. Maybe use a timer
Periodically, remind about the monkey mind. Acknowledge and just let go.
Chanting (Chanting the Tripitaka)
Copying scripts (Copying the Tripitaka)
Cleaning (working meditation; in silence)
Wipe tables and chairs
Sweep floor
Take out garbage
Evaluation
Questions
How did it feel? Chanting? Copying hard?
Could you do this all day? For many days?
Squishy Ball Question Game (below)
Summary
Closing Gassho
Evaluation:
Squishy Ball Question game
Get a "Squishy Ball" (or anything that can be safely be thrown; even a paper ball works).
You toss the ball to a student. You ask a question about today's lesson. They try to answer. If they answer correctly, they get to toss the ball to whomever they wish and ask a question about today's lesson. If they answer incorrectly, it goes back to the teacher.
Note:
Be careful to explain the boundaries of questions for the Squish Ball Question game.
Author:
Mas Nishimura nish221.at.gmail.com, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 2013
Unable to upload the Background.txt