The document provides background information on a Buddhist studies workbook for primary level students. It includes a preface, introduction for parents and teachers, table of contents, and samples of lessons. The lessons cover topics like the life of the Buddha, his teachings, Buddhist history and culture. The workbook aims to help students develop elementary knowledge of Buddhism and establish a peaceful way of life through practicing concepts like the Five Precepts and loving-kindness. It is intended for upper primary or beginning secondary students and uses simple explanations and questions to engage students in developing their own understanding.

1. Buddhist Studies for Young Students-
Primary Level
Danuse Murty
Buddhist Council of New South Wales
Strictly for free distribution only

2. 2
Buddhist Studies for Young Students-
Primary Level
Danuse Murty
Buddhist Council of New South Wales
Strictly for free distribution only

3. 3
Preface to Second Edition
This introductory book is based on the earlier workbook “Buddhist
Studies for Children”, published electronically by the Buddha Dharma
Education Association in year 2001, and on the first edition of the
‘Buddhist Studies for Young Students - Primary Level’ published by
the Buddhist Council and Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational
Foundation in 2003.
I thank Graeme Lyall of the Buddhist Council of New South Wales
and Venerable Pannyavaro and Phil Thompson of the Buddha Dharma
Education Association for their kind support during the earlier stages
of this work. I also thank the Buddhist Council volunteers Brian
White, Anita Lau, Eileen Sellers and the website team for their kind
support to improve the first edition and make it available for free
distribution online. Finally I thank my friend Chittapala for his
invaluable help to edit this book.
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa.
(Homage to the Blessed One, the Consummate One, the Supremely Enlightened One.)
Dr Danuse Murty
Sydney 2014

4. 4
Introduction for Parents and Teachers
The workbook “Buddhist Studies for Young Students - Primary
Level” is intended for children in the upper primary school (more than
10 years old), or beginners in the secondary school.
The main aims of this workbook are to help students: 1.develop
elementary knowledge of the Buddhist religious tradition and realise
the real value of the Buddha’s teachings for themselves and others, 2.
become well established in a peaceful way of life - at this stage in the
practice of the Five Precepts and loving-kindness.
The book has been designed to be used together with a biography of
the Buddha (see References) and it covers life of the Buddha, his
teachings and Buddhist history and culture at an introductory level. I
tried to keep my explanations of the Buddha's teachings simple.
Instead of detailed explanations I placed more emphasis on questions
and activities, to help the students develop their own understanding.
Teachers are welcome to use contents of this workbook as their wish,
to construct their own lessons. However, they should acknowledge
this material using the commonly accepted education standard.

5. 5
Contents
Preface 3
Introduction for parents and teachers 4
Contents 5
Lesson 1: Introduction to Buddhism 6
Lesson 2: Life Story of the Buddha - Childhood 8
Lesson 3: Life Story of the Buddha - Married Life 9
Lesson 4: Life Story for the Buddha - In Search of Truth 11
Lesson 5: Life Story of the Buddha - The First Discourse 13
Lesson 6: Good and Bad, and Five Precepts 16
Lesson 7: Impermanence of Life 19
Lesson 8: Loving-kindness 22
Lesson 9: The Triple Gem 24
Lesson 10: History of Buddhism 26
Lesson 11: Buddhist Holy Sites, Festivals and Rituals 32
Lesson 12: Buddhist Architecture and Art 35
References 39
Appendix 41

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Lesson 1: Introduction to Buddhism
Dear students, welcome to the Buddhist studies!
In this introductory lesson you will learn some basic things about the
Buddhist religious tradition. You will learn about what is Buddhism,
who is a Buddha, who is a Buddhist, where do Buddhists live, and
finally why study Buddhism. In the following lessons you will learn
more about the Buddha’s life, his teachings and Buddhist culture. But
most importantly, you will be asked to apply what you have learnt in
your daily life. So let us begin with a short overview of Buddhism.
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a peaceful religion started by Gotama Buddha. It is also a
peaceful way of life taught by the Buddha. It does not require a belief
in a supernatural being, but like any scientific teaching it requires an
open mind and some trust or faith, to study the Buddha’s teachings
and apply them in one’s daily life.
Who is Buddha?
A title ‘Buddha’ means ‘Awakened One’ or one who is awake to the
Universal Truths. According to the scriptures, the Buddha
remembered his previous lives; with divine vision he saw others dying
and being reborn according to the Law of Kamma (law of intentional
actions) and he fully realised the 4 Noble Truths (truth of suffering,
origin of suffering, end of suffering and the way leading to the end of
suffering).

7. 7
The first historical Buddha lived and taught about 2500 years ago in
India. His name was Siddhattha Gotama Buddha. Like a scientist, he
discovered the universal truths and then taught them to others.
Who is a Buddhist?
A Buddhist is a follower of the Buddha. It means that he or she takes a
refuge, or a protection, in the Triple Gem, studies the Buddha’s
teachings and practices what he taught. Triple Gem, or Three Jewels,
is: Buddha (the teacher), Dhamma (the teaching of the Buddha) and
the Sangha (all students of the Buddha who have realised the 4 Noble
Truths). There are 2 main Buddhist traditions -: Theravada and
Mahayana.
Where do Buddhists live?
Buddhism started in India around 500 B.C., and it was a major
religion there until approximately 500 A.D. However, today most
Indians are Hindus. At present, Theravada Buddhism is a major
religion in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia.
Mahayana Buddhism is a major religion in China, Korea, Japan,
Vietnam, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. Both Mahayana and Theravada
traditions are growing in popularity in the west.
Why learn about Buddhism?
It is good to learn about Buddhism, because the Buddha taught a way
to peace and happiness for everyone. If we take his advice and
practice the way he taught, we find lasting inner peace and safety. If
everyone followed his advice this world would be a much better place
to live for everyone.

8. 8
Lesson 2: Life Story of the Buddha – Childhood
?
1. Read about the Buddha’ childhood:
a) Where was Siddhattha born, where did he live, and who were his
parents?
b) What was he like? Why did he sometimes feel unhappy?
2. Briefly tell or read to others the story about a wounded swan, and
then discuss it.
3. Describe what happened during the farming ceremony, which
Siddhattha attended with his father.
?
1. Describe your early childhood. Where were you born, where did
you live and what did you like to do?
2. Name and describe the subjects you have to study at school. What
are your favorite subjects and why? What do you like doing during
your free time?

9. 9
Lesson 3: Life Story of the Buddha – Married Life
?
1. Why and whom did Siddhattha marry? Describe the ancient Sakya
marriage customs.
2. Why was Siddhattha not happy with the comfortable life in the
palace?
3. What 4 sights did he see on his travels outside the palace, and how
did they affect him? What did he realize?
4. Why did he decide to leave his family? Do you think he loved his
family?
?
1. What do all living beings have in common?
2. What do you do when you get sick?
3. Discuss what happens when people get old? Do you help your
grandparents sometimes and if so how?

10. 10
♥Life is precious to all living beings and many have much shorter
lives than people do.
?
1. How long does each of the creatures pictured below live? Describe
their lifecycles.
2. How long do people live and what does it depend on?. Describe a
typical human lifecycle.

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Lesson 4: Life Story of the Buddha –
In Search of Truth
?
1. Where did Siddhattha go after he left the palace and what did he
do?
2. Discuss the story about the wounded lamb and fire ceremony. What
did Siddhattha tell the king Bimbisara and why?
Before the arising of the Buddha, many people in India participated in
religious ceremonies where thousands of animals were killed and
sacrificed to gods. Siddhattha did not support such practices. Instead
he practiced kindness and compassion to all beings and searched for
the way leading to the end of all suffering.
?
1. Have you ever saved an animal from dying or harm? If so, what
animal and why was it in trouble? Write a short story or draw a picture
about it. When finished, share it with others.
?
1. Who were Siddhattha’s meditation teachers, what did they teach
him, and why did he leave them?

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2. What is asceticism and why did people practice it? Describe the
Siddhattha’s life as an ascetic. What happened to him at the end?
3. What did Siddhattha discover while sitting under the Bodhi tree?
4. What is the law of Kamma?
5. Why is the Buddha pictured with a circle around his head?
?
1. Do you sometimes overeat, eat unhealthy food, or skip meals?
Discuss why it is harmful to go to such extremes.
2. Do you like natural science at school? What are your favorite topics
and why?
3. What is meditation? Ask your teacher to teach you a simple
meditation on breathing, or try the meditation described in the
appendix.
?
Discuss how we can benefit from the Buddha’s life story.

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Lesson 5: Life Story of the Buddha –
The First Discourse
?
1. What did the Buddha do after he attained the Supreme
Enlightenment?
2. Why did he decide to teach others? Who did he decide to teach first
and why?
3. Describe what happened when he met his old ascetic friends.
4. What was the Buddha’s first discourse called and why?
The Buddha’s teaching of the Four Noble Truths
Beginning with his first discourse at Isipatana, the Buddha taught
people the 4 Noble Truths: the noble truth of suffering, of the origin of
suffering, of the end of suffering and of the way leading to the end of
suffering.
The Buddha taught that birth, sickness, old age, death, not getting
what we desire or getting what we do not desire is suffering. The
origin of suffering is craving, the selfish desire. We have to give up
the craving to end suffering. The Buddha called this end of suffering
Nibbana. It is the highest freedom, happiness and peace.

14. 14
He taught that the way leading to the end of suffering is a middle way
between the two extremes of self-indulgence and self-injury. It is the
Noble Eightfold Path, and it consists of right understanding, right
thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right
mindfulness and right concentration.
The Buddha was like a scientist or a medical doctor, who not only
recognised the suffering in the world, but discovered the deep causes
of it, freed or cured himself, and taught others the way to free
themselves. His teaching is like a medicine, that when used properly
can bring peace and freedom.
The Buddha’s teaching is symbolised by the Wheel of the Dhamma:
?
1. What are some things in your life that made you suffer or unhappy?
Name and discuss some.
2. Give examples selfish desires and discuss their possible
consequences.
b) Discuss why people may be greedy for food. What may be some
consequences of that?
3.
a) Name a few things that make you feel happy.
b) Draw a picture of a happy person or of a happy place.

15. 15
c) What is peace? What does peace mean to you?
d) Write a poem about peace or draw a picture of a peaceful place.
4.
a) Why is the way out of suffering called the Noble Eightfold Path?
b) What does right and wrong mean to you? Give examples.
c) How do we get started on the Noble Eightfold Path?
d) A gardener cultivates (grows) flowers, fruits and vegetables. How
does (s)he do it?
e) How do we cultivate understanding? Give some ideas.
Discuss how the teaching of the Buddha on the 4 Noble Truths
can help make this world a better place to live for everyone.

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Lesson 6: Good and Bad, and Five Precepts
?
Describe the famous Buddhist meeting held at Venuvana monastery,
near Rajagaha. What 3 things did the Buddha tell his students to
practice and teach others?
?
1. Give examples of good and bad actions and discuss why they are
that.
2. What are mental defilements and how do we purify our minds?
Discuss giving examples.
4. Read the story about Sigala and five Precepts.
a) Describe the ritual young Sigala was doing, when the Buddha saw
him. What did the Buddha say about that ritual to Sigala?

17. 17
b) What 5 things did the Buddha advise Sigala not to do? What are
they collectively called?
c) Why did Sigala kneel and bow to the Buddha?
The Five Precepts:
To get started on the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha gave people
training rules of conduct called the Five Precepts. They are:
 To abstain from intentionally harming living beings.
 To abstain from taking what is not given.
 To abstain from sexual misconduct.
 To abstain from lying.
 To abstain from intoxicating drinks and drugs.
We can apply these training rules towards all living beings. The first
rule is not always possible to live by. For example, when we grow
plants for food we may have to kill or injure some animals. We do that
to protect our plants so that we or other people may live in health. But
we must not be cruel to any living beings.
Living by these rules not only protects us from much harm but also
helps to make this world a better place to live for everyone. There is
much we can learn about how to treat others with kindness from the
life of the Buddha, his noble students, and from lives of other great
religious teachers - what they taught and what they did.
?
1. How do you like being treated by others? And how do you think we
should treat other people and animals?
2. Why is it important to have rules of behaviour? Do you have rules
at home and at school? Describe them. Are they good rules and why?
3. Discuss each precept:

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a) What does each precept mean to you? Give examples and their
opposites.
b) Describe how you benefit from living by those 5 rules of conduct.
4. Discuss a healthy lifestyle and a healthy way of eating:
a) What is a healthy lifestyle or a healthy way of living? Do you live
in a healthy way?
b) Name some unhealthy foods that people eat, and say why they are
unhealthy.
c) What are healthy foods for us, and why should we eat them?
d) What is a healthy way of eating? Do you eat in a healthy way? If
not, how can you improve your way of eating?
e) What sport or other physical exercise do you do and how often?
Discuss why exercise is important for our health.
.
?
Discuss how living by the 5 precepts can make your school, your
country and our whole world a safer and nicer place to live for
everyone.

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Lesson 7: Impermanence of Life
?
1. What did the little Siddhattha see during the Farming ceremony he
attended with his father, and what did he think about?
2. Years later, what 4 sights did Siddhatha see on his visits outside the
palace, and how did it affect him? When he thought about those 4
sights, what do you think he realised?
Impermanence of life
The Buddha taught that not only all things, but also all living beings
are impermanent. They arise (are born), change and cease (die).
Whatever has a beginning also has an end, that is a law of nature.
?
1. Discuss what each of the non-living things listed below is made of,
how it changes and how long it can last: Earth, Sun, rocks, water, air,
fire, wood, molecules, atoms, light energy.
2. Describe your pet or another animal and discuss how it changes
through its life.
3. Discuss how you have changed since you were born. How long do
people live and what does it depend on?

20. 20
4. Discuss how your body, mind and consciousness change through
the day.
5. The Buddha taught that living beings are reborn and can remember
their previous lives. But what part of the being did he teach is reborn?
Ask your Buddhist teacher and parents to help you answer this
question.
?
Do you know this?
Many scientists teach that our Universe began with Big Bang (or big
explosion of energy) several billion years ago. Following that,
subatomic particles, atoms, elements and molecules were formed, and
stars and planets were born. One of those stars was Sun and one of
those planets was Earth. Then as the Earth cooled, solid earth, oceans
and atmosphere formed, all made of many different atoms and
molecules.
Then over many millions of years complex molecules
(macromolecules) formed in the oceans out of the simple molecules.
These macromolecules then gradually developed to form single celled
(uni-cellular) organisms. These one-celled organisms not only
multiplied, but also changed and grouped to form multi-cellular
organisms – bodies of plants, animals, and after many millions of
years, also people. So the life forms slowly developed, or evolved,
over hundreds of millions of years.
Scientists also study how galaxies, stars and planets are born and die.
Based on that, they predict that many millions of years from now, the
Sun will grow bigger, become very red and then slowly die, turning
into a ball of hot ash. They call such a ball of ash White Dwarf. When
that happens, all life on Earth will also gradually die and Earth will
become a frozen planet.

21. 21
Based on their present understanding, scientists also teach that the
Universe is still expanding, but one day it will begin to contract.
However they are not really sure what will happen at the end, nor how
the Big Bang started.
?     ?
As with other great scientific theories, theory of the origin of our
Universe is based on a strong basis of collective observation of the
natural world, and analysis of the data. It cannot be fully proven, but
until evidence is shown against it, for practical purposes we can
assume it is true.
?
Can possibly any thing or any person be unchanging and last forever
in a Universe that is constantly changing, and has a beginning and an
end?

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Lesson 8: Loving-kindness
?
1. Give examples and discuss some situations where Siddhattha
showed living kindness towards others..
2. Give examples and discuss some situations where the Buddha and
his students showed kindness towards others. What other good
qualities did they have?
 Loving-kindness (metta)
The Buddha encouraged people to cultivate loving-kindness or
friendliness. We are all born with loving-kindness towards ourselves
and those who love us (our parents, siblings and grandparents). So we
begin with that, and we live by the Five Precepts and try to be kind to
everyone in our daily life. We can learn much about how to cultivate
this love from the Buddha’s life and lives of his students.
The Buddha also encouraged his young students, including his son
Rahula, to practice loving-kindness meditation. This meditation is an
introductory practice, where we wish good things for ourselves and
others. While it is very good to do, it is of little help to anyone if it is
not followed by real actions. We need to live in a way that will help
make our wishes come true.

23. 23
?
1. Discuss what a good friend is like. How does (s)he treat others?
2. Ask your teacher to teach you a loving-kindness meditation or try
the meditation described in the Appendix.
3. Do some of these activities:
a) Make a few gifts for your siblings or friends (cards, pictures, toys),
or save some of your pocket money and buy them little gifts.
b) Offer your parents help with housework and shopping.
c) Invite your friends for a lunch and discussion of Buddhism. Then
offer them some healthy food, share your experiences and help each
other to understand various things from the Buddhist lessons.
4. Read about and discuss the origins of gifts-giving during Vesak,
Christmas and other religious occasions. What are some good gifts to
give to others?
?
Discuss how practice of loving-kindness to all beings can help to
make this world a better place to live for everyone.

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Lesson 8: Triple Gem -
Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
Triple Gem
All Buddhists respect and treasure the Triple Gem, or the Three
Jewels:
 Buddha (the teacher of the Dhamma and the founder of the
Sangha)
 Dhamma (the teaching of the Buddha, the Universal Truth)
 Sangha (the noble sangha, all students of the Buddha who have
realised the 4 Noble Truths).
?
1.What are some very important qualities of the Buddha, and why do
you think so?
2. Use the biography of the Buddha, and other resources to discuss
lives of some Buddha’s noble disciples. What good qualities did they
have?

25. 25
 Taking a refuge in the Triple Gem
Commonly, the first two steps in the process of becoming a student of
the Buddha, consist of taking the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts
(see Appendix). Following the ancient tradition, many people recite
these with help from a monk or a nun.
?
1. What does taking a refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
mean to you?
2. What are some benefits of taking refuge in the Triple Gem?
3. Visit a local Buddhist center, a temple or a monastery, and ask the
Buddhist practitioners, monks and nuns, about their lives and how
they have benefited from the Buddha’s teachings.
?
How can everyone, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, benefit from
learning about the Triple Gem?

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Lesson 9: History of Buddhism
Development of the Buddhist Traditions
The Buddha began teaching the Dhamma, at Isipatana (modern
Sarnath, near Varanasi), more than 2500 years ago, when he was 35
years old. He gave his first discourse to 5 of his old friends who
practiced asceticism. They became his first students and the first
members of the Buddhist Sangha. Soon more people joined the
Sangha and under the Buddha’s guidance many became fully
enlightened (Arahants). For the next 45 years, the Buddha and his
ordained students wandered through Northern India teaching people
the Dhamma. By the time of his final passing away, thousands of
people had become his followers.
The Buddha passed away at Kusinara, when he was 80 years old.
Three months after his death, 500 Arahants assembled at Rajagaha
to recite the Dhamma and rules of conduct for monks and nuns
(Vinaya) as they remembered them. This meeting is called First
Buddhist Council. All the Arahants belonged to the school of elders
(Theravada). About two hundred years after the Buddha’s death,
two main schools of Buddhism developed in India - Theravada and
Mahayana. They differ in some interpretations of the Buddha’s
teachings, where Mahayana is less strict in their interpretations.

27. 27
Buddhist missionary activity outside of India began during King
Asokha’s reign around 250 B.C. Buddhist missionaries introduced
successfully the Buddha’s teachings first to Ceylon (modern Sri
Lanka). Over the next few centuries, as monks and nuns from the
Theravada and Mahayana schools carried the Buddha’s teachings to
various other Asian countries, Theravada and Mahayana traditions
slowly developed. After 500 A.D. Buddhism gradually declined in
India. Among the contributing factors were unfavorable political
conditions, loss of support or opposition from the rulers, loss of
enthusiasm among the Sangha, and increased popularity of Hinduism
and other religions. Presently, only about 1% of Indians are Buddhists,
and most of them follow the Mahayana tradition.

28. 28
While missionaries were also sent to western countries, as far as
Egypt, Syria and Macedonia, because of a strong influence of other
religions, Buddhism did not become established there. Serious study
of Buddhism in the West began only in the early 19th
century. By the
end of the 20th
century, both Theravada and Mahayana had spread to
many western countries. Buddhism is becoming popular among young
people in United States, Western Europe and Australia.
At present, Theravada Buddhism is a major religion in Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia. Mahayana Buddhism is a
major religion in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet, Nepal and
Bhutan. Both Mahayana and Theravada schools are growing in
popularity in the west. In spite of various differences, both Theravada
and Mahayana traditions treasure the Triple Gem. Both traditions
accept Gotama Buddha as the founder of Buddhism, and the 4 Noble
Truths and the law of Kamma, as the core teachings. Both have
monastic Sangha, but their robes and some rules of conduct slightly
vary.
 Propagation of the Dhamma
For the first 400 years the Buddha’s teachings was recited and
memorised by the monks and nuns. Though writing was known in
India at that time, it was not customary to record sacred teachings in
writing. So for 4 centuries the Dhamma was passed on orally.
The Theravada scriptures were first written down 100 B.C., in Ceylon
(Sri Lanka), on plant leaves. They form the Theravada, or Pali, Canon.
It is written in Pali language. The Mahayana scriptures were written
down between 100 A.D. and 300 A.D., in Sanskrit language. They

29. 29
form the Mahayana Canon. So we have Kamma, Dhamma, and
Nibbana, in Pali; and Karma, Dharma and Nirvana, in Sanskrit. Both
Canons contain some teachings and discourses that are very similar,
and also some that are different.
?
1. Read about King Asokha’s life and his contributions to the
Buddhist tradition.
2. Find out about history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, China, Tibet or
other country of your choice. Prepare a short presentation about one of
them.
3. Use the Internet or other resources to find out more about the
Buddhist scriptures. What are the three main divisions of these
scriptures and what is in each?
Development of the Sangha
As described previously, the Sangha of the Triple Gem includes all the
Buddha’s followers who have realised the 4 Noble Truths. The name
Sangha is however most commonly used to mean a monastic
community or order, of monks and nuns. According to the records,
during the Buddha’s life this Sangha consisted almost entirely of the
enlightened individuals, and many of them Arahants.
To become a part of the monastic order, one had to ask for a
permission and be accepted, or ordained, by the Buddha or his
authorised disciples. This tradition continues to this day. It has
gradually developed from a simple consent to join the Buddhist order,
to a more complex public ceremony.
After the ordination, monks and nuns had to leave their families and
live in monasteries. They had to be celibate, keep their heads shaved
and wear robes. Novice training is similar to an apprenticeship.
Novices are expected to obey 10 precepts, obtain their food by
begging, do monastic chores and help monks and nuns, study and
recite the scriptures, and meditate. In addition to the duties listed for

30. 30
the novices, monks and nuns are expected to obey more than 200 rules
of conduct, train novices, teach the Dhamma to lay students, and
conduct religious ceremonies.
?
1. Use Internet or other resources, to complete the following tasks:
a) Read a life-story of one Buddha’s disciple and his or her main
contributions to the Buddhist tradition.
b) Read a biography of one contemporary Buddhist teacher of your
choice. Share what you have learnt about him or her with other
students.
?
1. Learn about the lives of modern Buddhist monks and nuns:
a) Invite monks or nuns to your class to share with you their
experiences of monastic living. What things do they own and what
rules do they have to follow? What is their daily routine?
b) Visit a local temple or a monastery and ask the novices, monks or
nuns to show you around and tell you about their daily lives. What
have you learnt, and what did you find most interesting and why?
2. Would you like to live like the Buddhist novices, or monks or nuns,
do? What would you like to do when you leave school, and why?
3.
a) What rules of conduct do you have at school and at home? What
duties do you have apart from your schoolwork?

31. 31
b) What is your daily routine: during the school terms; on the
weekends; during school holidays?
4.
a) Go through your things, separate what you don’t really need and
give it away to a charity. Then clean and tidy your room.
b) Make a small bag to hold needles and threads. Then repair some of
your, or your sibling’s, clothing.
c) Make a Buddhist book, using simple materials such as paper, pens,
pencils and threads.
?
1. Why is it important to know the main history of the humankind?
What can we learn from it, and how can we benefit from this
knowledge in our daily lives?
2. Why is it important to know the main history of the Buddhism and
the oldest scriptures? How can this knowledge help to bring peace
among the Buddhist communities, and world wide?
HISTORY QUIZ
1. When and where did the Buddha pass away?
2. When did the Buddhist Sangha separate into two main schools, and
why?
3. How long did Buddhism flourish in India, and why did it die out?
4. Who was King Asokha and how did he contribute to the spread of
Buddhism?
5. List the countries in which a) Theravada, b) Mahayana and c)
Vajrayana Buddhist tradition is a main religion.
6. How was the Dhamma propagated during the Buddha’s life and
after he passed away?
7. What is the difference between the Scriptures and Baskets?
8. What is Tipitaka and what does it consists of?
9. What is Sangha and when and how did it begin?
10. What is the difference between a novice and a monk?

32. 32
Lesson 10: Buddhist Holy Sites,
Festivals and Rituals
Buddhist holy sites
Buddhist holy sites are places sacred to Buddhists, where important
events in the Buddha’s life or lives of the Sangha took place. The 4
most important sites are situated in India. They are:
 Lumbini, where the Buddha was born. It is marked by a pillar.
 Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment.
It is marked by a brick and stone stupa.
 Sarnath (ancient Issipatana near Varanasi), where the Buddha
gave his first discourse. It is marked by a brick stupa.
 Kusinara. where the Buddha attained Parinibbana. It is marked
by a brick stupa.
Great stupa at Bodhgaya
?
1. Use Internet resources or a library to obtain more information on
a) The 4 most important Buddhist Holy sites.
b) One Buddhist Holy site outside of India.
c) Discuss why it is good to visit the Buddhist holy sites.

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Buddhist festivals
Buddhist festivals (pujas) are celebrations held to commemorate
(remember) important events in the Buddha’s life and the lives of his
noble disciples. The two most important celebrations are Visakha and
Dhammacakka pujas.
 Vesak (Visakha Puja) commemorates the Buddha’s birth,
Supreme Enlightenment and passing away into Parinibbana, on the
full moon of the sixth lunar month (May).
 Dhammacakka Puja (Asalha Puja) commemorates the Buddha
giving his first discourse called Dhammacakkappavattana (“Setting
into motion the wheel of truth”), on the full moon of the eighth lunar
month (approximately July).
During these celebrations, many Buddhists visit temples, monasteries
or sacred sites, and perform simple rituals to express their love for the
Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. However, some devotees visit temples
and perform simple rituals throughout the year.
Below is a brief scriptural description of reverence, valued by the
Buddha most:
“Whatever bhikkhu or bhikkhuni, layman or laywoman, abides by the
Dhamma, lives uprightly in the Dhamma, walks in the way of the

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Dhamma, it is by such a one that the Tathagata is respected,
venerated, esteemed, worshipped, and honored in the highest degree.
Therefore, Ananda, thus should you train yourselves: ‘We shall abide
by the Dhamma, live uprightly in the Dhamma, walk in the way of the
Dhamma.’” (Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Digha Nikaya)
?
1. Make Vesak cards and other gifts, and give or send them to your
friends.
2. Participate in a Vesak celebration in a local Buddhist center, temple
or monastery. Then share your experiences with others. You may like
to take a few photos, write a story or describe your experiences to
others.
3. Have you participated in any other Buddhist festivals? If so,
describe what you saw and did.
Buddhist rituals
Rituals and observing various rites are a common practice among
people of all countries. For example, giving gifts on special occasions
such as birthdays, Christmas or Mother’s Day, or laying flowers on
the graves of the loved ones.
Buddhist rituals commonly consist of giving offerings and chanting in
front of shrines with Buddha’s statues, in gratitude to the Buddha. The
three most common offerings are flowers (especially lotus flowers),
incense, and light (as candles or lanterns).
Apart from the rituals in memory of the Buddha or his noble disciples,
there are Buddhist religious rituals connected with birth, marriage and

35. 35
death, which vary from country to country. But common to these are
saying prayers suitable for each event, such as wishing well in the
case of death to the departed. Chanting Buddhist stanzas is believed to
give protection to those who recite or listen to them.
?
1.
a) Discuss why people put flowers, incense or lights in front of the
Buddha’s statues.
b) Why is a Bodhi tree considered sacred by Buddhists? Use the
Internet to find out more about this tree.
c) Chant one or more traditional Buddhist chants with others in your
group. Then discuss their origins and benefits.
2. Describe some rituals you saw during the Vesak celebrations.
3. Discuss what value the Buddhist shrines and rituals had in the past,
and what value do they still have now.
?
Compare the Vesak celebration with other world religious festivals.
How does, or can, this celebration benefit all Buddhists and other
cultural groups?

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Lesson 11: Buddhist Architecture and Art
Buddhist architecture
The most important Buddhist architectural works are mounds, temples
and monasteries.
Mounds
Mounds are called stupas in India, dagobas in Sri Lanka, and pagodas
in Burma, Thailand, China and Tibet. They were built to hold relics of
the Buddha or his chief disciples, and also to mark important events
from life of the Buddha or his students. King Ashoka is believed to
have built 84 000 stupas all over India. The 3 most important stupas
are in India, at Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kusinara. The first stupa is
made of stone and bricks, and the other two of bricks.
Great stupa at Bodhgaya Dhamekh stupa at Sarnath Stupa at Kusinara

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Temples and monasteries
A temple is a place where monks or nuns live, and Buddhist religious
ceremonies are held. A large temple is called a monastery. It typically
consists of monks (or nuns) quarters; a shrine hall, where sacred
objects such as relics and statues are kept; and a teaching hall, where
Dhamma talks are given and meetings are held. Some temples also
have a stupa and Bodhi tree.
?
1. Use the Internet or other resources, to collect some pictures of
Buddhist architecture. Use them to make a small poster. What value
did the temples and stupas have in the past for the Buddha’s
followers?
2. Visit a local temple or a monastery. Ask the monks and nuns for
some information on the history of their monastery and Buddhist
tradition. Then prepare a short report on what you have seen and
learnt, and share your experiences with others in your Buddhist group.
Buddhist art (sculpture and paintings)
In the early Buddhist tradition people were forbidden to worship, or
make offerings to, a Buddha image. The Bodhi tree, the Wheel of the
Dhamma, the Buddha’s seat and the Buddha’s footprints, and other
objects, were used as symbols to be worshiped instead. This tradition
continued until about first century AD.
Among other symbols, made to remember the Buddha, were stone
pillars. King Ashoka erected many stone pillars inscribed with
Buddhist texts and royal instructions. The most important pillar is at
Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace. This pillar is made of stone and has
an inscription about the king carved on it. Originally, it also had an
image of a horse on the top of it, to commemorate that the Buddha
was born there. Buddha’s images were rare during this early period.
First Buddha’s statues were found in the old Gandhara, on the border
between Pakistan and Afganistan. They are about 2200 years old.

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Most common forms of later Buddhist art are Buddha’s statues and
scenes from the Buddha’s life and Jataka tales. These scenes were
carved in stone, or painted on temple walls. The Buddha was most
commonly portrayed seated in a meditation position, meditating or
teaching; standing with one hand raised; and reclining on his right
side.
?
1.
a) Make little figurines of the Buddha and his students, using clay or
plasticine. Use these to create scenes from the Buddha’s life.
b) Draw some scenes from the Buddha’s life. Use these to make a
short picture book for little children.
2. Use Internet or other resources, to collect some pictures of Buddhist
artworks, from early and later period, and discuss them with other
students. How do we benefit from them?
3. Visit an exhibition of Buddhist or Asian art. Then discuss it in the
class.


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REFERENCES
Books
Buddharakkhita A., 1985. The Dhammapada: The Buddha’s Path of
Wisdom. Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka.
Gunapayuta, Hai J., Lu Z.A. and Lee Y.F., 1998. A Pictorial
Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha. The Corporate Body of the Buddha
Educational Foundation, Taiwan, Taipei.
Murty D., 2004. Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha for Children.
BodhiTree - www.buddhistcouncil.org/bodhitree
Murty D., 2012. Buddhist Studies for Young Students - Secondary
Level. BodhiTree - www.buddhistcouncil.org/bodhitree
Narada Ven., 1995. Buddhism in a Nutshell. Buddhist Publication
Society, Sri Lanka, Kandy.
Phangchan C. Ven., 1997. Buddhism for Young Students. The
Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taiwan,
Taipei.
Piyadassi Ven., 1995. The Buddha, His Life and Teaching. The Wheel
Publication No 5 A/B Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka,
Kandy.
Piyadassi Ven., 1999. The Book of Protection. Buddhist Publication
Society, Sri Lanka, Kandy. www.bps.lk.
www.buddhistcouncil.org/bodhitree
Piyasilo Ven., 1973. Introduction to Buddhism. An Illustrated
Exposition in Simple Language for the Beginner. Chuan Printing
Press, Bangkok.

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Vajira Sr. and Story F. (translators), 1998. Maha-parinibbana Sutta -
Last Days of the Buddha, Digha Nikaya 16. Buddhist Publication
Society, Sri Lanka. www.accesstoinsight.org
Yin G. and Ho W.Y., 2002. Buddhism Key Stage II. Buddhist
Education Foundation, UK. www.buddhisteducation.co.uk;
www.buddhanet.net
Graphics
Buddha Dharma Education Association: Dhamma wheel and lotus
flower.
Microsoft Office 2000: Bodhi tree and various other pictures.
Websites
BodhiTree: www.buddhistcouncil.org/bodhitree
BuddhaNet: www.buddhanet.net
Buddhist Channel: www.buddhistchannel.tv
Buddhist Council of New South Wales: www.buddhistcouncil.org
Buddhist Publication Society: www.bps.lk
Encyclopedia Wikipedia: www.wikipedia.org

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APPENDIX
Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem
The Three Refuges
Buddham saranam gacchami,
Dhammam saranam gacchami,
Sangham saranam gacchami
I go for refuge to the Buddha
I go for refuge to the Dhamma
I go for refuge to the Sangha
The Five Precepts
1. I undertake the precept to abstain from intentionally harming
living beings.
2. I undertake the precept to abstain from taking what is not given.
3. I undertake the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct.
4. I undertake the precept to abstain from lying.
5. I undertake the precept to abstain from intoxicating drinks and
drugs.

Meditation on breathing
Meditation on breathing is an ancient method of relaxing our body and
mind, and experiencing inner calm. It was practiced in India even
before the Buddha. By practicing it we not only experience inner calm
but also gain some insight into our body and mind. Some people
prefer to observe their breathing at the abdomen, others at the nose or
elsewhere. It is up to you, wherever you find it easier to observe. But
be consistent Below is a simple practice for you to try, called
mindfulness of breathing.

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1. Sit down comfortably and close your eyes.
2. Now turn your attention to your nose and just observe (feel) your
breathing there - the in and out flow of the breath.
3. If your attention wanders off to other things, then just gently bring
it back to the breathing.
4. Do this for at least 2 minutes. Then slowly open your eyes.

Loving-kindness meditation
Loving-kindness meditation is an introductory practice where we wish
good things for ourselves and others. While there are different ways of
practicing this meditation, of cause you can create your own, related
to what you wish to experience in your life.
Below is a simple practice for you to try:
1. Sit down comfortably, close your eyes, and let your body and mind
relax.
2. Now turn your attention to yourself and say, in your mind: “May I
be well, may I be happy”.
3. Then turn your attention to your friend and say: “May you be well,
may you be happy”.
4. Finally turn your attention to all beings in the world, and say: “May
all beings be well, may all beings be happy”.
5. Finish by saying “Peace, peace, peace”.
6. Remain sitting, resting for a while.

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