International Buddhist Society of Pennsylvania
Sadaham Sevana Meditation Center
Budu Saranai! (Blessings of the Buddha!)
Welcome to our webpage!
This is a great resource for teachers and parents to teach Dharma to youth, with
complete lesson plans. The lesson plans include stories from the Tripitaka (Pali Canon), with
a quotation from the Dhammapada or other Sutra, alond with a Dharma discussion, and related
activity.
The focus of the lessons is the practice of good values in everyday life.
Kids - click on stories listed under letter D below where you will find Jataka stories, Dharma discussions and
activities.
New ones will be added soon.
Please click on the following:
A. Opening chants in Pali Langage and Meditation
B. About Teaching Dharma to Children
C. Introductory Lesson
D. Morals in the Jataka Stories: Lesson Plans for Teaching Youth
by Margaret Lisa Knight
1. Munika the Pig
2. The Hunter and the Quails
3. The Crocodile Who Was Afraid to Say "No"
4. The Chaplain Who Hated Crows
5. The Miser Who Wanted Cake
6. The Words of the Jackal
7. The Drum Beat
8. Betrayal
9. The Talker
E. Morals in the Life Story of the Buddha Now published by Buddhist Publication Society!
(Click to see sample chapter) Please order at www.bps.lk New Releases.
Teachers' Manual and book for kids to read on their own are available.
F. Jataka Stories - hundreds of stories in three volumes, available at www.bps.lk New Releases.
G. Buddhist Games - Board game and card games for learning about Buddhism,
available at www.brelief.org/games
OPENING CHANTS:
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammaasambudhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammaasambudhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammaasambudhassa.
(Homage to the Blissful One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One)
Buddham Saranam Gacchaami (I go to the Buddha for refuge)
Dhammam Saranam Gacchaami (I go to the Dharma for refuge)
Sangham Saranam Gacchaami. (I go to the Sangha for refuge.)
Dutiyam pi Buddham Saranam Gacchami . . . (A second time I go to the Buddha ...the Dharma, ...the Sangha.)
Tatiyam pi Buddham Saranam Gacchaami . . . (A third time I go to the Buddha....the Dharma ...the Sangha.)
Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samaadiyami (I avoid taking life
Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samaadiyami I avoid taking what is not given
Kamesu Micchachara veramani sikkhapadam samaadiyami I avoid misconduct
Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samaadiyami I avoid false speech
Surameraya majjhapama datthana veramani sikkhapadam I avoid intoxicants.)
samaadiyami.
MEDITATION - Breathing:
(Teacher or parent can say this aloud, softly and slowly, the second paragraph in rhythm with very relaxed breath, pausing for one or two breaths in between each sentence)
Sit cross-legged on the floor, or with your bottom on a cushion and your legs (cross-legged) on the floor. Put one hand in the other palm, with your thumbs touching. Close your eyes gently. Sit up very tall, but relax your shoulders, arms and hands. Let your arms feel heavy so they relax. Pull your chin in just slightly toward your neck. Let your body relax so much that you could fall asleep, but sit up tall.
Take a deep slow breath in, and out. Try to breathe through your nose only, slowly and naturally. When we breathe slowly and deeply, our mind can slow down and relax. Notice how it feels to breathe in, and how it feels to breathe out. Notice the feeling at the tip of your nose as you breathe in, and notice the feeling in your nose as you breathe out. The tip of your nose may feel cool as you breathe in, and warm as you breathe out. Notice your stomach moving as you breathe in, and out. You stomach moves out as you breathe in, and it moves in as you breathe out. Let your stomach move naturally out, and in, as you breathe. Notice the feeling in your chest as you breathe in , and out. Your lungs fill with air as you breathe in, and empty as you breathe out. Notice any feeling in the throat as you breathe in, and out. Notice the feeling deep in your nose as you breathe in, and out. Now you can choose one place to focus on that is easy for you - the tip of the nose, deep in the nose, the chest, or the stomach. Keep your attention only on that place as you breathe in, and out, for several breaths, as long as you can. Try to notice if you are thinking about something else, and bring your attention back to that place, breathing in, and breathing out.
MORALS IN THE LIFE STORY OF THE BUDDHA
Lesson Plans for Teaching Youth
by Margaret Lisa Knight
Chapter 29. Control Anger
Illustration for Chapter 29
