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Activity 1

Look at the symbols below and then answer the questions.

1. Which religion do these symbols belong to? Explain why you think this?
2. What do YOU think the symbols mean?
3. Which symbol is the odd one out and why?

Activity 2

Did you work out the religion from the symbols last week? The religion is Buddhism. Well done if you knew this.

Today you will learn about the Eightfold Path in Buddhism. What do you think the symbol below represents?

Read the following slides to learn more. You can click on the slides to pause the slideshow at any time during the presentation.

Activity 3

Buddhism

Buddhists believe that there is a cycle of birth, life and death and rebirth. This goes on and on. They believe that they will keep being reborn until they gain Enlightenment (the highest level of spiritual understanding). Only then, will a person break out of this life cycle.

Breaking out of the cycle is called Nirvana. It is the end of everything that is not perfect. Nirvana is perfect peace, and an end to all suffering.

Meditation

Buddhists try to reach Nirvana by following the Buddha's teaching and by meditating. The Buddha was a man called Siddhartha Gautama. He was from a very rich family, but during his life, he learnt about what was really important in life. He then taught others about what he had learnt.

Meditation means training the mind to empty it all of thoughts. It is a way to clear the mind and encourage positive thinking.

How to Meditate

To meditate you need to find a quiet area where you can concentrate. There are lots of different ways of meditating. Some people sit on a cushion with their legs crossed and focus on breathing deeply. Other people may listen to very calm music or the sound of water in a stream or birds singing.

Learning Challenge 

Meditate, reflecting on what is important in your life. Think about all the people and things that make you happy in your life. Ask an adult to time you for 2 minutes or set a timer on a clock.

Once you have finished meditating create a collage or painting of all the things you just thought about. Take your time, relax and enjoy making the artwork.

Activity 4

Today, we are going to learn about the Sangha. This is the ‘community’ of Buddhists worldwide.

Community   1) a group of people living in the same place

                       2) a group of people with the same needs, belief, or interests

Challenge 1

Before we learn about the Sangha, I would like you to write about the ‘community’ of St. Luke’s School. Thinking about the people below, write a short paragraph saying what their ‘role’ in the school is. 

Challenge 2

In a new paragraph say what the common needs, beliefs, or interests are of all the people above.

common – something that is shared between more than one person / thing. Example: My friend and I have a common interest in football.

Watch the video below and join the Buddhist monk Manapo who describes a typical day in his life. In the video you will refresh your learning about the 4 Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and meditation.

Challenge 3

What impresses you the most about a day in the life of a Buddhist? Write a paragraph explaining what impresses you the most and give reasons why. Also, say what people could learn from a Buddhist monk.

Activity 5

Today we are going to learn about the Buddhist concepts of Karma and Reincarnation.

Karma – the consequence of good or bad actions.

Read the slides below to learn about Karma and then do the activity.