Introduction

Purpose of the Guide

The purpose of Buddhist Education is to find the path that leads to personal awareness. This curriculum guide is designed to encourage teachers to provide meaningful lessons on religion for students, to develop positive attitudes in students, and to develop further the religious awareness of the teachers. Guidelines for teachers, and study guides and materials, are developed so that the educational goal of Buddhism can be achieved. Buddhist education guidelines are "experiences under guidance, consciously planned to attain specifc objectives." Excerpt from the Dharma School Teacher's guide

The purpose of this online version is to serve as an resource to assist Dharma School teacher's in this effort by facilitating communication between them and to propagate the best ideas.

Aims and Objective, Grade Level Focus

Aims and objectives of Buddhist Education in the Dharma School:

1. To help students to discover their true selves.

2. To help students to realize Amida's Wisdom and Compassion.

3. To help students to appreciate and learn about Buddhism and the Jodo Shinshu Sect.

4. To help students to develop character.

5. To help students to live and practice the Jodo Shinshu teachings with feeling of gratitude in the Nembutsu.

6. To help students to apply their Buddhist lesson to their daily lives.

7. To help students toward decision-making and critical thinking process.

8. To help students to be confident as Buddhist in a Christian Society.

9. To help students to work together with family, friends, Temple, and Community.

10. To help students become aware and sensitive of the world and universe in which they live.

Grade Level Focus

Pre-School: Buddhist Etiquette

Kindergarten: Buddhist Teachings

First Grade: Thankfulness

Second Grade: Gratitude

Third Grade: Our Temple

Fourth Grade: Study of Gautama Buddha

Fifth Grade: The Ways of a Buddhist

Sixth Grade: Buddhist Heritage

Seventh Grade: Shinran Shonin

Eighth Grade: Nembutsu, Foundations of Jodo Shinshu

High School: Buddhism/Jodo Shinshu, Comparative Religions, Comparative Buddhism, Assistant Teachers

This is an excerpt from the BCA Curriculum Guide developed in 1980's by a committee led by Mrs. Etsuko Steimetz.

The rest of the document is available at the BCA Resources page. The Dharma School material is at the bottom of the page.