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OBJECTIVE
• The culture of Buddhism is extraordinary,
full of music, art, literature, song, dance and architecture.
Students will be introduced to some of this culture and then asked
partake in a cultural activity of their choice.
www.bmeworld.com/ bonita/paintings/
TIME NEEDED FOR LESSON
• 41-hour class periods
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
NEEDED
• Students should understand the concept
of Culture
• Students should have a bit of prior knowledge of Buddhism
• Students should have been briefly introduced to the life of
the Buddha and his enlightenment
MATERIALS
• Mandala Sheets
• Thangka Drawing Sheets
• Jataka Tales (go to "The
Hungry Tigress") (For more, go to "Other
Jataka Tales on the Web")
• Jataka
Cartoon example - This comes
from Jataka Tales: The Magic Chant and other stories by India Book
House Pvt. Ltd. To purchase Jataka Cartoon books contact Pancharatna
Books
• Blank Cartoon Template
• The Life of the Buddha - Summary
• Shadow Puppet Show materials: 3-D poster board with
cutout center, see-through rice paper, cardboard stock, flashlight,
paint/crayons for drawing background scenery.
VOCABULARY
LIST
• mandala - any of various ritualistic
geometric designs symbolic of the universe, used in Hinduism and
Buddhism as an aid to meditation.
• bodhisattva - an enlightened
being who, out of compassion, forgoes nirvana in order to save.
• thangka - paintings
put on wall hangings, often made of cotton or silk. They depict
important Buddhist stories or beliefs. Studying these, or
even viewing them, helps one get closer to enlightenment.
PROCEDURE
I. BRAINSTORM
• Ask students to brainstorm examples
of culture that they associate with Buddhism. You may want
to categorize them into groupings of art, music, festivals, rituals,
symbols, etc.
II. THE MANDALA
• Teach the concept of "Mandala"
to the class.
• Show them examples by going
to: "Mandalas
on the Web" and "Mandalas
in Buddhism"
• Ask them for images they see
and what they think they represent.
• Use the" Mandala
Symbols on the Web" to explain the meaning behind some
of the symbols.
• Show some images from "Thangkas
on the Web" to students.
• Show the Thangka
Drawing Sheets to the students. Permission to copy these
images was generously given by David Jackson, a well known
expert on Buddhist culture, especially paintings. These sheets show
step-by-step directions for drawing Buddhist images.
• Tell students that one choice
they have is to draw their own mandala.
www.ackland.org/art/ exhibitions/buddhistart/
III. JATAKA TALES
• Explain the meaning behind the
Jataka Tales, tales of the Buddha's previous lives before his
enlightenment.
• See The Hungry Tigress and OtherJataka
Tales on the Web for examples to read aloud to the class.
• Discuss the image of the Buddha's
past life.
• How is he shown as a bodhissatva
or a wise teacher?
• Show them Jataka Tales in Cartoon
Form as well.
The Jataka Tales are one of the ways that young Buddhists are introduced
to their culture and faith. They are an excellent
way to introduce Buddhism to your students as well.
• Tell students that one choice
they have is to create a cartoon of one Jataka tale.
ww.dharma-haven.org/ tibetan/sadhana-medicine...
IV. THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA
Young Buddhist learners are taught the life of the Buddha in order
to promote understanding of the lessons the Buddha learned to finally
reach enlightenment.
• Read
aloud the Summary of the Life of the Buddha to the class and discuss.
• Tell students
that one choice they have is to, in groups of 4, create a shaddow
puppet show of the Buddha's life.
www2.uiuc.edu/ro/BSG/ gallery/enlightenment.html
V. CONCLUSION
•
After all of your groups have completed their projects, have a fun
day of sharing them all with the class!!
ACTIVITIES
CHOICE 1: MANDALA
•
Students, using the Mandala handout and looking to images on the
web can choose from 1 of 2 mandalas to create.•
Hand out Mandala Directions Sheet to each student or pair of students
who makes this choice.
CHOICE 2:JATAKA TALE CARTOON
•
This activity should be done in pairs.
•
Hand out 2 sets of blank cartoon templates to each pair of students
interested.
•
Hand out one set of "Jataka Directions" to the pair.
CHOICE 3: THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: SHADDOW PUPPET SHOW!
•
This activity is meant for groups 4.
•
Give students the 32-section summary of The Life of the Buddha.
Have them group the 32-sections into 8 bigger sections so that they
can create an 8-scene production.
•
Hand 1 member of each group the SHADOW PUPPET SHOW DIRECTIONS.
HOMEWORK
•
Students can work for a designated time on their projects for homework.
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