Correction - email address

well, this is embarrassing.

My email address for the Feynman Technique assignment was incorrect.

Email: dbeller2@wcpss.net

Photo Essay Presentations, Test on Buddhism

Photo Essays Due Date: Saturday, December 12th by noon.

• links to the online presentation (using youtube I would imagine) should be emailed to Mr. Beller. I am requesting these be sent on Saturday, so your peers will have time to watch and digest the information. 

Test on Buddhism: Thursday, December 17th (I believe this is a "A" day.) More to come on the format of test. 

Feynman Technique: Themes 1-3, Buddhism

Using the Feynman Technique, students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following themes as they relate to Buddhism.

1. Rituals 
2. Sacred Texts 
3. Doctrines and Beliefs

Students are expected to explain their respective topics within the theme as if they were teaching it to someone. I would expect the appropriate use of language, interpretative commentary, and evidence that not only does the student know the material, but they also understand why ___________is important to the Buddhist as well. It would not hurt to try to demonstrate the relationshiop among the themes. (This would only further demonstrate your grasp on the content)

Students are to email Mr. Beller their responses by Wednesday (note: this should not be a surprise!) (dbeller2@wcpss.net)

7: Excellence beyond reproach (you should be published)

6 : Very good performance: Detailed knowledge and understanding, logically structured, appropriate terminology; analysis, evaluation and synthesis of knowledge; strong awareness of multiple perspectives; strong evidence and critical thinking

5: Good Performance: Sound knowledge and understanding; answers are logical and coherent, but could be extended; some integration of knowledge and concepts; tendency to be more descriptive than evaluative although shows contrasting views; solid evidence of critical thinking; an ability to analyze data

4: Strong Performance: Secure knowledge and understanding beyond 'common sense' points; ability to structure, but need to improve clarity and focus; ability to develop ideas, relate facts, substantiate assertions, but is more descriptive than analytical; ability to interpret data, solve problems and engage in analysis.

3: Mediocre performance:Demonstrates some knowledge and understanding; a basic use of terminology and structure; some ability to make links between facts and ideas. Assignment clearly lacks the depth of response.

2: Poor performance: limited knowledge and understanding, some sense of structure, limited use of terminology, limited ability to make links between facts and ideas. Information is very limited in depth expected for assignment.

1: Very poor performance: very limited knowledge and understanding; no clear structure, inadequate terminology, limited demonstration of understanding of data or analysis. Large gaps in demonstration or completion of expectations.

Meditation and Mandala Background Reading

Meditation Reading

• As you read think about the following: 
• What is the importance of meditation for Buddhists?
• How can we use the act of meditation to extend our knowledge of the relationship among the various themes of our in-depth study?

Mandalas
Part I: http://www.tricycle.com/blog/himalayan-buddhist-art-101-mandalas

Part II: http://www.tricycle.com/blog/himalayan-buddhist-art-101-mandalas-part-ii

NPR: Pregnancy and Yoga - for your enjoyment

NPR

Power Point Notes - Lecture to Come

Doctrines and Beliefs


Please feel free to use these videos to frustrate, ahem, assist you!

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

Schools of Buddhism

Take notes on the different types of Buddhism

Then, review these notes using some type of active review technique. 

You could make flash cards, write a paragraph summary, complete a Venn diagram, use the Feynman technique, etc.  You will use this part for your photo essay. 


Dharma Assignment : This and schools of Buddhism will be the Doctrines and beliefs component of your Photo Essay

Anatta - take a look

If There is No Self, Who is Born, Who Dies, Who Meditates?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2dKaqXeCsI


I hope these might clear something things up!

Working on lecture - will come soon.

If the lecture comes too late, let's take flex time to watch/record our observations.

Important Dates coming up

11/20: Fill in the blank quiz on 3 fundamental questions (each blank = 1 point)

by 11/25: please use the Feynman Technique (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrNqSLPaZLc) to explain to me your knowledge/understanding/completion of the following themes: (rubric to come soon)

• Rituals 
• Sacred Text 
• Doctrines and Beliefs

TED Talk - working to change gender inequality

How do we respect someone's religious beliefs, while also holding religion accountable for the damage those beliefs may cause? Chelsea Shields has a bold answer to this question. She was raised in the orthodox Mormon tradition, and she spent the early part of her life watching women be excluded from positions of importance within the LDS Church. Now, this anthropologist, activist and TED Fellow is working to reform her church's institutionalized gender inequality. "Religions can liberate or subjugate, they can empower or exploit, they can comfort or destroy," she says. "What is taught on the Sabbath leaks into our politics, our health policy, violence around the world."

TED Talk

Theme 2: Sacred Texts

 For your photo essay, the next theme for your in-depth will focus on sacred texts. 

1. Review the PowerPoint (as well as the In-Depth PowerPoint) and take notes. These will count as part of your "Summary of Significant Findings"
2. Task: Identify and explore the various sacred texts associated with Buddhism.

• Theravada scripture: the Pali Canon/Tripitaka (Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abidharma Pitaka). These are considered the “authoritative” Buddhist scriptures.
•  Mahayana scripture: the Lotus.
•  Vajrayana: Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Question: HOW am I supposed to complete this? What other resources will I need? 

Answer: Here is the suggested way to approach the assignment: 

1. Research background information on each group of sacred texts. (Note: a)Below are some suggested links. b) when looking at the Pali Canon, we will focus on the Dhammapada) 

• http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.intro.budd.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Sutra
• https://www.theosophical.org/publications/1452

2. You will need to complete the following: 

• Dhammapada: Read the introduction. As you are reading, you will notice that it has selected some specific sutras. I would use these,however, if you want to select another chapter - then go for it! For your selection you will complete the APPARTS handout. 
• Lotus Sutra: Read the following selections and answer the document based questions 
• Selection 1
• Selection 2
• Selection 3
• Tibetan Book of the Dead: We will watch a documentary (don't worry)
• You will also need to complete the assignment on the 2nd to last slide on the linked powerpoint (located at the top of this post) (please disregard any instructions to email your work to Ms. Jolley - it is now out there; I'm a fake. A poor excuse for an instructor. May you have mercy on my soul.......)

3. Make sure you include a reflection/evaluation (why are these texts significant? Are there any connections between the texts and rituals/doctrines and beliefs/moral conduct? Why would these texts still be important to a Buddhist today? Your own thoughts/insight)

articles

http://aeon.co/magazine/philosophy/martine-batchelor-secular-buddhist-pilgrimage/

http://aeon.co/magazine/culture/martine-batchelor-meditation/

http://aeon.co/magazine/culture/how-buddhist-ritual-helped-me-ride-out-the-storm-of-ocd/

http://aeon.co/magazine/health/old-age-and-death/what-makes-a-good-death-in-a-secular-age/


you can search aeon magazine has a wide variety of articles that might help in your reflection and evaluation part

www.tricycle.com - good site


more to come! stay tuned

new: http://www.mastersindivinity.org/sacred-texts.html#buddhism   (note: you will not be able to access this at school. Apparently, the URL category "Education/Reference" is not allowed)

Huston Smith Reading on Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

Huston Smith

• So....I would recommend this reading when you are approaching the last step in your rituals assignment [critical reflection and evaluation - which includes answering your key question]. The purpose of reading the excerpt would be to have a better understanding of the relationship between the rituals and the doctrines/beliefs. I believe that this will allow your voice to be heard and open up the array of conclusions and questions that can be answered and/or asked. 

Theme 1: Rituals Introduction Video// In Depth Study PowerPoint//Photo Essay Assignment for Rituals

Short Introduction to Rituals

In Depth PowerPoint - the necessities

Rituals Assigment for Photo Essay

1. For your photo essay you have some options regarding your study of Buddhist Rituals. Please select one of the key questions from the choices below
2. After selecting the questions, define the vocabulary in italics (this will be part of your activity packet)
3. Select one of the tasks  **note more than one person can do the same task, HOWEVER, please split up the topics! (we should try to avoid any repetition)
4. Suggested plan of study:

• Report it out: vocabulary/identification 
• Rationale - why did you select this particular topic/key question? What is your relationship or interest in the question? What do you know about the vocabulary in the question? What do you hope to learn? 
• Summary of Significant Findings: what did you find out about your topics? 
• Critical Reflection and Evaluation: Answer the key question and provide thoughts, questions still left unanswered, concerns, interpretive commentary (how/why do the topics support your claims?)

1.       To what extent does ritual shape communal identity? (Buddha, dharma, sangha, karma, bhavana, karuna, sila)

a.       Examine the various daily rituals and symbols associated with Buddhist community: meditation, mudras, mandala, thangkas, wheel of dharma, chanting, mantras, dana, puja.

b.      Identify and define various places of worship associated with Buddhist community: monastery, stupa and temples.

      How does ritual shape daily life? (Dharma, karma, samsara, nirvana, sangha, bhavana, panna, sila)

a.       Identify and examine the various milestones and/or rituals associated with the Buddhist community: milestones (head shaving, marriage/becoming a monk), death and burial

b.      Explore the various festivals associated with the divisions of Buddhism: Dharma Day, Losar, Sangha Day, Kathina, Parinirvana, Wesak