Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 228
A Lesson: Korea and Buddhism
inda ewis, West ary iddle hool, ary, orth arolina
ddhist antern esson by san ope i, ill rest hool, Wethers eld,
b e tive Students will examine the foundations of Buddhism and living a moral life. Next,
they will analyze their own moral beliefs and actions in given situations, comparing them with the
Buddhist foundations of morality.
Teacher Presentation The story of Buddhism begins in the sixth and fifth centuries BCE with
a prince whose name as Siddhartha Gautama. Gautama’s father ruled a kingdom in what we
know today as Nepal. At the age of twenty-nine, Siddhartha left the palace to seek spiritual im-
provement. He wanted to find the source of human suffering – and the way to become free from
it. After searching for many years, at the age of thirty-five, he attained enlightenment and became
known as the “Buddha – the Enlightened One.” This was the beginning of the Buddhist religion.
Buddhism is the first world religion, a universal system of beliefs that spread to Central Asia, Chi-
na, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and is here in America.
ided ra ti e Buddhism is based on ethical and moral concepts: the Eightfold Path (EP),
the Four Noble Truths (FNT), and the Five Precepts (FP). As you read the teachings of Buddhism
examine how Buddhists define right and wrong, good and evil, and moral behavior. Think of your
beliefs and values and compare them with Buddhist moral teachings.
Students will use the computer lab to research Buddhist teachings; the following site will give a
brief understanding of The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts.
http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/buddhism/principles/the-four-noble-truths.html.
dditional nternet sites on ddhism
http www. oreanb ddhism.net re ommended by the orean pirit and
lt re romotion ro e t
http www.b ddhanet.net (suggested as a possible Internet site as it has information on many different
levels. A Basic Buddhism Guide is included.
http www.b ddhanet.net e learnin basi
ide.htm
Write a brief description of each, some may need only one or two words, others may require more
depth.
ea her resentation Define “Morality” (ask a student to use the dictionary to look up the
word), “doing what is right.” Explain that Buddhism attempts to answer what living morally
means by following The Four Noble Truths (FNT), The Eightfold Path (EP), and The Five Pre-
cepts (FP). These truths came to Siddhartha while meditating on his past lives. He then realized
that he had attained enlightenment.
Independent Practice: Students will complete the chart independently.
Buddhist Morality – My Morality
Column 1: Read the question
Column 2: answer (yes/no) from a Buddhist point of view.
Column 3: which of these actions are they related to?
Column 4: your answer should come from your own personal experiences.
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