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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mandalas

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore meditation. In this relaxation and religious studies lesson, students identify reasons for meditation and practice relaxation. Students color a mandala, a richly colored design used as a focal point during Buddhist...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religions of Japan

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore, analyze and study the religions that originated in Japan, including Shintoism and Zen Buddhism. They assess the beliefs of each religion and compare/contrast all the Eastern Religions and view their people and...
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Website
Columbia University

Asia for Educators: Medieval Japan Multimedia Unit

For Students 9th - 10th
This unit from the extensive Asia for Educator's site provides audio, video and lecture materials from well-credentialed Asian studies professors to explore Japan's medieval period, from 1000-1500 A.D. Topics include the Samurai,...
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Website
Other

Dharma Net

For Students 9th - 10th
Gateway to Buddhist studies with links, books, etc.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Zen Koans: Unsolvable Enigmas Designed to Break Your Brain

For Students 9th - 10th
Puqun Li details the bewildering and ambiguous philosophical thought experiments these Buddhists called Zen koans.
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Handout
Other

Zen Arizona: Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth biography of Joshu Sasaki. Focuses on the work he has done founding Zen training centers in the United States.
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ryoanji (Peaceful Dragon Temple)

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the cultural and historical significance of Ryoanji and its rock garden in Japan.