The Practice Of Buddhism

Ms. Rhodes - Memorial Middle School - Beverly, MA

Unit: Buddhism

Lesson:

The Practice of Buddhism

Frameworks Strand:

World Religions

Learning Standard:

Students learn and compare basic tenets of world religions and their influence on individual and public life as well as the course of history.

Content Outcomes:

Research lives of the founders/major figures in each religion
Chart the major beliefs/tenets of the Buddhist religion

Essential Questions:

How does the life of Siddhartha Gautama influence the basic tenets of the Buddhist religion?

Day 1: Research

Students will know of the assignment before entering class. In differentiated groups, todayâs class objective is to research some of the fundamental ideas behind the foundation and basic beliefs of Buddhism. Based on specific assignments, students will know the depth into which they must research.

Part 1: Have students examine a printout or digital image of Buddha Shakyamuni. Ask students to describe the details of the work, guiding them to each of the significant features of the enlightened Buddha. (15 minutes)

o Ushnisha

o Urna

o short hair

o elongated earlobes

o mudras

Students will learn that the Buddha can be recognized through his features, which include an ushnisha (prominent bump on the top of his head) and an urna (dot or mole on his forehead), signifying his extraordinary wisdom. Short hair and elongated earlobes represent his renunciation of the princely life in which long, beautiful hair and heavy earrings (which stretched the earlobes) were desired. Finally, mudras (hand gestures) signal his roles of teaching, meditating, protecting, and urging generosity. The last two mudras are evident in this bronze from south India÷the Buddha's right hand is raised in abhaya mudra, a gesture of reassurance or protection, and his left is outstretched in varada mudra, a gesture of giving.

Part 2: Explain that after his enlightenment at the age of 35, Buddha traveled around India for 45 years teaching others what he had learned and suggesting a code for living. In his first speech, Buddha introduced his understanding of the Four Noble Truths. (5 minutes)

o All life is suffering.

o Suffering is caused by desire.

o To eliminate suffering, eliminate desire.

o To eliminate desire, follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

Part 3: Examine the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other. (20 minutes)

Step	Meaning	Personal Impact
Right Understanding	Having faith in the Buddhist view of the universe.	Wisdom
Right Intention	Making a commitment to practice Buddhism.	Wisdom
Right Speech	Avoiding lies and mean or abusive speech	Ethical Conduct
Right Action	Not taking life, not stealing, not hurting others.	Ethical Conduct
Right Livelihood	Rejecting jobs and occupations that conflict with Buddhist ideals.	Ethical Conduct
Right Effort	Avoiding bad attitudes and developing good ones.	Mental Development
Right Mindfulness	Being aware of the body, feelings, and thoughts	Mental Development
Right Concentration	Thinking deeply to find answers to problems.	Mental Development

Day 2-3: The project

Using information gathered from yesterdayâs class, students would now work in their same groups to develop a PowerPoint presentation displaying their knowledge.

Group 1:

Give a brief introduction on Buddhaâs life and physical description. State the Four Noble Truths and finally write the elements of the Noble Eightfold Path and discuss their possible meanings

Group 2:

Present a brief introduction on Buddhaâs life and give a physical description. State the Four Noble Truths. Lastly, describe the elements of the Noble Eightfold Path and put them in relation to students' behavior in school

Group 3:

Provide an introduction on Buddhaâs life and detailed physical description. State the Four Noble Truth found during Buddhaâs meditation. As a final point, examine the elements of the Noble Eightfold Path and prescribe a code of living for fellow students in their classroom or at school. Provide examples of how the lives of their fellow students might be improved by such actions.

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