New York City Department of Education
Learning about Lunar New Year
Rich in images and information, a teacher's guide to the traditions of Lunar New Year's celebrations in various cultures addresses celebrations of Buddhism and Daoism. It includes background information about the origins of the...
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Unit on Gandhi and Ahimsa
Students explore the history of Gandhi and his viewpoint and example of nonviolence. In this World History lesson, students complete numerous research assignments and activities over the course of nine lessons to expand their knowledge...
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ON BECOMING A NONVIOLENT WARRIOR
Students examine the concept of non-violent social change. In this lesson on social change, students research and role play to demonstrate ways in which this might be accomplished while making connections to various events in history.
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KWHL Questioning Strategy Instructions: Siddhartha
". . . gentlenenss is stronger than severity, water is stronger than rock, love is stronger than force." Prior to beginning Siddhartha, employ a KWHL strategy to provided your class members with the background knowledge of Hinduism,...
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Maurya & Gupta India
Art, power, and commerce are often the hallmarks of a mighty empire - and the ancient world of India is no exception. The presentation explores the Maurya, Asoka, and Gupta Empires, detailing the territorial and artistic changes that...
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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 Relationship Between Zen And Haiku Aesthetics
Students examine the principles of Haiku as they relate to idealss found in Zen Buddhism in this High School lesson. The lesson concludes with the creation of individual haikus by each student.
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Bodhidharma/Daruma Doll Lesson
Students investigate the historical Bodhidharma and focus upon the founding of Buddhism in China. They create two-dimensional Daruma dolls and define the term of enlightenment using simple language. Students read about the legend while...
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Wushu Were Here
Learners create a fan-shaped story screen that explains 4 major points surrounding various facts, myths, expressions, or story elements in Chinese history, culture and/or literature.
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History of Japan
Students research the mythological and factual founding of early Japan. They compare and contrast the two accounts. As an assessment activity, they fill out a chart that compares and contrasts the facts and myths surrounding Japanese...
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Introduction to Tibet
Students explore Tibet. In this Tibet geography and culture lesson, students work in groups to read and summarize a data set pertaining to a particular cultural aspect of Tibet. Students present information from their data retrieval...
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Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan!
Students study feudal Japan, the islands of the country, and its religions. In this history of Japan lesson, students complete a 9 lesson unit about Japan, its history, its feudalism, its islands, and its religions.
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Comparative religious Teachings
Ninth graders examine the goods and culture that was traded along the Silk Road. In this World History lesson, 9th graders compare and contrast the belief systems of the Silk Roads. Students analyze a primary text of sacred and...
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Religious Intolerance in Afchanistan
Students, 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 Buddhists,...
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Geography of Early China
Students research and identify the primary geographic features of China. They investigate which features isolated China, and identify the significance of the Hwang River to Early Chinese civilizations. Finally, they research the Silk...
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The Buddha Chronicles
Students use the internet to take virtual tours of Japan. During the tour, they discover the history of Buddha and how it is still practiced in Japan today. To end the instructional activity, they create their own webpages to represent...
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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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Shinto, Stones, and the Garden
Young scholars 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 activity is for the elementary classroom.
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Japanese Haiku and the American Experience
Twelfth graders research the history to Haiku Poetry. They read classical haiku to comprehend their special sensibility and form. Students encounter the Buddhist philosophical background of this poetry and its roots. They write original...
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The World's Most Practiced Religions
Students examine the five major religions of the world. In groups, they identify the belief system of each and research their history. They discover the various holidays and traditions of the religions. They present their findings to...
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Looking Toward a Higher Deity
Sixth graders study the tenets of the five major religions of the world. For this religion lesson, 6th graders investigate the tenets of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism by researching and recording on a matrix. They...
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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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Is Gandhi Right: Analyzing His Ideas
Students explore the connection between Gandhi and the Independence Movement in India. For this lesson on social change, students examine the ideas of Gandhi to analyze non violent change. Students consider the impact of British...
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The Power of Nonviolent Struggle
Students identify how Mohandas Gandhi developed a nonviolent crusade for justice. In this nonviolent protest instructional activity, students watch segments of a documentary about Gandhi's reaction to imperialism in India. Students write...