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The Nio
Students discuss the importance of guardian figures in Japanese Buddhist practices using prior knowledge and visual cues gathered from examples of Japanese art. This instructional activity can be extended to include a creative project.
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Understanding Symbols
Students examine two Buddhist images. Using Venn Diagrams, students compare and contrast the images in an effort to decode their meanings. Students are then introduced to Buddhism through a story of Buddha.
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Shinto, Stones, and the Garden
Students examine how Shinto and Buddhism are reflected in the Japanese art and life-style, especially as seen in the relationship people have with the land (gardens). This lesson is for the elementary classroom.
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Religions of Eastern Asia
Students investigate how religions are created. They identify the basic history, beliefs, and practices of Confucianism, Sikhism, Shinto, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Students are to prepare a poster of...
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Art And The Afterlife
High schoolers discuss various cultures and their beliefs of the afterlife in this study of Japanese art. The final evaluation is done through the creation of student collages illustrating their beliefs of the afterlife.
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Religions
Eighth graders explore the major religions of the world. In this religion activity, 8th graders create a foldable with the characteristics of the religions to study. Students watch videos, PowerPoint slides and look at pictures from the...
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The Teachings of His Holiness: The Dalai Lama - Day 1 of 6
Sixth graders explore philosophy by analyzing the teachings of the Dalai Lama. In this Buddhist history lesson plan, 6th graders analyze a quote from the Dalai Lama and discuss their opinions on his philosophical teachings. Students...
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Sacred Art
High schoolers view a PowerPoint about Tibetan monks to help them explain the culture's world views, myths and religious beliefs. They investigate Navajo sand paintings and compare how they are similar to the Tibetan monks' artwork.
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Korea's Literary Tradition
Students read a text about Korea's literary tradition. In this literary tradition lesson plan, students read the multiple page text to learn about Korea's literary tradition.
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The Three Doctrines & Legalism
Sixth graders imagine themselves to be, in turn, a follower of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Legalism. They are given a handout that lists seven questions. Direct students to write down how they feel an individual would answer...
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The Clothing of the Buddha
Young scholars discuss the idea of cultural diffusion by examining how the sculptural portrayal of the Buddha's clothing evolved in Japanese and Chinese art. This lesson concludes with a group project and presentation.
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World Religions
Students identify the major beliefs, the founders, and the origin for the five major world religions-Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. They identify, on a world map, the regions and countries these religions are...
Asian Art Museum
Experience Chanoyu: A Japanese Tea Gathering
As part of the study of Japanese cultural history, introduce your class members to Chanoyu, the Way of Tea. After a discussion of the history and key elements of Chanoyu, class groups perform the ceremony.
University of California
Influences from South to Southeast Asia
In ancient times, people along trade routes exchanged ideas in addition to goods. Scholars view eight primary sources, such as artwork, to understand how India influenced southern Asia. Academics participate in a short group discussion...
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The Medium And The Message
Students compare and contrast Buddhist sculpture in varying materials through in-class discussions and small cooperative learning groups. This lesson includes possible lesson extensions.
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Sharing Beliefs and Ideas
Students examine how cultural ideas and thought were exchanged as travelers and traders of the Silk Road met, interacted, and traded with different peoples from different regions and cultures along the Silk Road.
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Creating Nonviolence: A Theatre of the Oppressed Approach to Things Fall Apart
Eleventh graders analyze Ahimsa and complete activities for nonviolence. In this nonviolence lesson, 11th graders define violence and relate it to their lives. Students adapt prose into a dialogue to act out and analyze the violence in...
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Dalai Lama Peace and Conflict Resolution
Learners explore philosophy by researching the Dalai Lama. In this peaceful living lesson plan, students discuss the Dalai Lama and his unique views of the world before reading the story Can You Say Peace? Learners answer study questions...
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Guidelines for Governing: Utopia and The Prince
Students explore the power of the Church in government. In this literature lesson, students read Sir Thomas More's Utopia and Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. Students respond to questions regarding the works and discuss them.
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Roman Gods and Goddesses
Students discuss Roman gods and goddess and give reasons the religion would be difficult to follow. In this Roman gods and goddesses lesson, students read the Legend of Romulus and Remus and complete a chart on all of the gods and...
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Introduction to World Religions: Islam
Sixth graders explore religion by viewing a presentation in class. In this global culture lesson, 6th graders define the Islam religion and the stories that accompany it. Students read the story "Muhammad" by Demi and view an Internet...
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The Life of Buddha, relating his life to our own in modern times
Middle schoolers do a variety of activities to become familiar with Buddha's life and relate it to their own.
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The Language of Flowers And Trees
Students explore the symbolism of flowers and trees in Chinese and Japanese art. This lesson meets state standards and includes two possible lesson extensions or lesson enrichments.
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Shigaraki Pottery
Students write position papers from the point of view of a Shigaraki art collector in this lesson on pottery techniques found in Japan between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.