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Syllabus :
Unit 1:

The Buddhist Way

What is Buddhism?
Who is Buddha?
Stories from the Life of the Buddha.
The Buddhist Idea about Life.

   • Key Ideas in Buddhism

The Spirit of Free Inquiry.
Self-reliance.
Tolerance.
Loving-kindness and Compassion.
Buddhism and Science.

Key Stories from the "Life of the Buddha"
The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry
Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire
• Summary

• Activity Box

Unit 2:

The Four Noble Truths

First Noble Truth

The Truth of Suffering.
Physical Suffering.
Mental Suffering.
Happiness in Life.

• Summary

Second Noble Truth

The Cause of Suffering.
Craving.
Ignorance.

• Summary

Third Noble Truth

The End of Suffering.
What Happens After Suffering Ends?
Enlightenment.

• Summary

Fourth Noble Truth

The Middle Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path.
The steps of the Eightfold Path.
Following the Eightfold Path.
Good Conduct.
Mental Development.
Wisdom.
Truth.

• Summary


• Key Stories from the "Life of the Buddha"
• Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
• Summary
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire

• Activity Box

Unit 3:

Buddha's Wisdom and Compassion - Qualities of the Buddha

The Qualities of the Buddha.
The Buddha's Practical Approach.
The Importance of Critical Thinking.
Caring for the Sick.
Comforting the Distressed.

Key Stories from the "Life of the Buddha"
• Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
• Summary
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire

• Activity Box


Unit 4:

Becoming a Buddhist - Tking Refuge in the Triple Gem

Reasons for Taking Refuge.
The Buddha.
The Dharma.
The Sangha.
Analogy of a Journey.
The Act of Taking Refuge.
The Benefits of Taking Refuge.

Key Stories from the "Life of the Buddha"
Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
• Summary
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire

• Activity Box


Unit 5:

Experiencing Buddhism

The True Nature of Things - with 'Learn More Link.'
The Dharma - 'Learn More Link'.
The Soul - 'Learn More Link'.
Samsara - 'Learn More Link.'
Rebirth - 'Learn More Link'.
Karma - 'Learn More Link'.
Dependent Origination - 'Learn More Link'.
Three Universal Characteristics - 'Learn More Link'.
Meditation - 'Learn More Link'.
Nirvana - 'Learn More Link'.

Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
• Summary
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire

• Activity Box


Unit 6:

The Four Immeasurables

Text on the Four Immeasurables.
Meditating on the Four Immeasurables.
Multiple Choice Questions.

Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
Summary
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire

Activity Box

Family and Society

Honouring the Six Directions.
Responsibilities Within the Family.
Responsibilities Within the Society.

Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
Summary
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire

Activity Box

Contemporary Issues

Technology.
Globalisation.
The Environment.

Read & Discuss: a Jataka Tale or a story from "Buddha & His Disciples"
Summary
• Multiple Choice Questionnaire

Activity Box

Resource:

The Buddhist World

The Monastic Community.
The Four Holy Sites.
Pilgrimage in Buddhism.
The Buddhist Schools.
The Theravada and Mahayana Countries.
The Spread of Buddhism.

Resource:

Buddhist History  & Culture

Timelines of Buddhist History: Chronological Events.
Chart of the Geographical Spread of Buddhism in Asia.
An Explanation of the Schools and Lineages of Buddhism.
Brief Biographical Details of Major Buddhist Figures.
Early Disciples of the Buddha: Pen Portraits of Eminent Disciples.
Deities and Bodhisattvas. Popular Chinese Deities.
Buddhist Art and Architecture: Temples, Stupas, Mandalas + Multimedia Chinese Temple.
Major Buddhist Sites. Significant Historical and Pilgrimage sites.
Scriptures: The Tripitaka [Sanskrit], Tipitaka [Pali].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Buddhist Culture.

Festivals and Ceremonies. Buddhist Devotional Practices.
Buddhist Symbols / Iconography.
Statistics on the numbers of adherents and in the major branches of Buddhism.
A glossary of Buddhist Technical Terms - a Buddhist Dictionary.
Selected book list of Buddhist history.


Misc:

The Meditation Class - Mental Development

Basic Instruction for Insight Meditation.
Instructions in Sitting and Walking Meditation.
Practice of Loving-kindness Meditation
.

Resource:
Online Research Projects

Nine Suggested Research Projects.
Links to Resources on BuddhaNet
.

Text

Life of the Buddha: Part 1 & 2

Text

Buddha and His Disciples

Text

The Jataka Tales

Part 1
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