American Documentary
Comparative Religion Investigation: What Happens When We Die?
How do different religions offer explanations for what happens when we die? Invite your learners to consider the variance and complexity of religious beliefs, and to research and compare/contrast the concept of death and afterlife...
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Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before?
High schoolers discover the true meaning of karma and the related concept of samsara by reading the Jataka Tales. Learners work in groups to become familiar with one form of Buddhist storytelling and examine how Jataka Tales are used as...
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Lesson: More Than a Dollar's Worth of Meaning
The Chinese, Dish with the Eight Buddhist Emblems contains symbols and visual references for learners to explore. They search for Buddhist symbolism on the dish and then they use their observation skills to locate and explore...
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BUDDHISM
Pupils engage in a variety of activities that investigates the religious and cultural practice of Buddhism. The emphasis is upon students comprehending the Eightfold Path of Buddhism.
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American Transcendentalism and Buddhism:
High schoolers study American transcendentalism through readings of Emerson and Thoreau. They make cognitive connections to the similarities to Buddhism in these writings. The connection of the literary movement is explained in the art...
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Hinduism vs. Buddhism
Fourth graders create Venn diagrams showing the differences and similarities between the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
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World Religions: A Look at the Way the World Prays
An introduction to the characteristics of and differences between five world religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism), this presentation will help to clarify some of the confusion surrounding the details of each...
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Lesson Plan: The Tour Starts at Noon
The Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva is a piece that represents characteristics, meanings, and ideals common to those who practice Buddhism in Japan. Learners fully analyze this piece, then take a virtual trip to examine the Buddhist...
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Beyond Burma
Students consider the relationship between religion and society in Myanmar. They study about recent military violence against Buddhist monks in Myanmar by reading and discussing the article " What Makes a Monk Mad". Students research and...
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Dalai Lama: Day 2 of 5
Sixth graders explore philosophy by researching the Dalai Lama. In this Tibetan history lesson plan, 6th graders discuss the influence of Buddhism on the Dalai Lama and the unique view on life a Buddhist must have. Students read a...
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The Noble Eightfold Path
Students gain an introduction to Buddhist teachings about moral behavior by exploring a depiction of the Buddha and by writing a speech inspired by their interpretation of the Noble Eightfold Path.
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Zen Buddhism and Modern Utopia
Students work collaboratively to analyze the various religious beliefs of Zen Buddhists. Emphasis is placed upon class discussion and the ideal of a Utopian environment or society.
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Buddhist Art - Lost In The Landscape
High schoolers explore new objectives for art and examine how Chinese painting reflects Buddhist principles. This instructional activity includes a vocabulary list and possible instructional activity extensions for various student levels.
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Mandalas
Students explore meditation. In this relaxation and religious studies lesson, students identify reasons for meditation and practice relaxation. Students color a mandala, a richly colored design used as a focal point during Buddhist...
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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, 6th graders analyze a quote from the Dalai Lama and discuss their opinions on his philosophical teachings. Students identify...
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Religion in Southeast Asia: Becoming Familiar with Buddhism Through Jataka Tales
Young scholars study basic Buddhist concepts by reading Jataka tales in this unit. They write personal response and identify connections to Buddhist literature and culture.
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The Medium And The Message
Learners 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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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 lesson can be extended to include a creative project.
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Religious Intolerance in Afchanistan
Young scholars, as a group, examine and discuss the destruction and planned demolition of Buddhist artifacts in Afghanistan by the Islamic Taliban government. They further research the issue and then hold a simulated summit with...
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Iconography: Art and Literature
Students discover the main subjects and objects of Buddhist art and how symbolism in the Arts can enhance the artistic elements. The lesson plan concludes with the creation of student works using iconography.
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DECODING BOROBUDUR
Students study the example of the spread of Buddhism in Southeast Asia, assess the possible meaning conveyed by Borobudur, explore how ideas travel and the process of syncretism, and appreciate how and why Salindra leaders in Java...
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Teaching the Hindu-Buddhist Tradition in East Asian Culture Through Asian Literature and Film
Students explore various intellectual traditions which dominate human history through a variety of contemporary pieces of literature which exemplify the traditions. Biblical monotheism, Greek rationalism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism...
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Understanding Symbols
Learners examine two Buddhist images. Using Venn Diagrams, students compare and contrast the images in an effort to decode their meanings. Learners are then introduced to Buddhism through a story of Buddha.
Montana State University
One Mountain, Many Cultures
Americans may think of Mount Everest as a region dedicated to adventurous hikers, but many cultures have flourished there! Learners read informative books, watch videos, participate in classroom discussion, analyze folk tales, and...