SRE Learn at Home

 
 
Wondering about meditation, symbols of Buddhism, going to a temple or celebrating Buddha’s Birthday? Here are some ideas for you!
Special Religious Education (SRE) volunteer teachers usually meet students for half hour classes each week and during the school year work through topic strands of Being a Buddhist, Buddhism and Society, Values and Attitudes, and Life Skills.  Full details are part of the Buddhist SRE Scope and Sequence.
To make it easier for parents and children to study at home, our Buddhist SRE teachers share some of their classroom resources here. The variety of resources reflects the diversity of Buddhist traditions on which SRE teachers draw. These videos, slideshows and activities can be used to talk about many facets of Buddhism with the whole family.
You know your child best – please feel free to choose what you feel would be most engaging and appropriate for your family.

We welcome your feedback at education@buddhistcouncil.org

Primary school

High School

The Story of the Buddha (PDF, 18 pages): an illustrated story of the Buddha’s life.

The Triple Gem (pdf, 4 pages): The Triple Gem is very special to Buddhists. We pay respect to the Buddha, learn from the Dharma, and find support in the Sangha.

The Dharma (pdf, 10 pages): The teachings of the Buddha.

The Sangha (pdf, 5 pages): The community of Buddhists.

Vesak – The Buddha’s Birthday (8 slides): about the joyful annual occasion of Vesak, celebrated on the first full moon of May across the world.

Buddhism Basics (12 slides): Meditation, Impernanence, The Triple Gem.

Temples (9 slides): a slideshow about Buddhist temples.

The Buddhist Flag (8 slides): the meaning of the Buddhist flag.

The Lotus Flower (11 slides): the symbolism of the sacred lotus flower.

The Five Precepts (7 slides): The Five Precepts are the Buddhist version of a code of conduct or rules to help people behave in an ethical way. Buddhists follow the Five Precepts to help ease suffering and attain peace.

Karma (8 slides): Karma refers to actions of body, speech and mind.Good actions, which involve either the absence of bad actions, or actual positive acts, such as generosity, righteousness, kindness, honesty and meditation, bring about happiness. Bad actions, such as lying, stealing, harming or killing, bring about unhappiness.

Lesson plan (6 slides): A lesson plan including a story, a song and a meditation.

Metta or Loving Kindness explained (12 slides).

Compassion and Loving Kindness (22 slides).

Mindfulness (9 slides).

Pebble meditation (Youtube, 10:27): A guided meditation from Plum Village. Please prepare by collecting four pebbles or rocks, and a comfortable cushion or chair to sit on.

Walking meditation (Youtube, 4:02): A guided meditation to practice walking from Plum Village. Find a small area, outside or inside, with sufficient space to walk.

Snack meditation (Youtube, 3:29): A guided meditation to practice eating mindfully.

Metta (loving kindness) meditation (5:36): a guided meditation video to practice loving kindness towards oneself and all living beings.

Children’s Dhamma Program (Youtube, series of approx 1 hour episodes): A series of talks in English from a monastery in Sri Lanka.

Basic Buddhism Guide – A Five Minute Introduction (4 pages)

What is Buddhism? (12 pages): Is it a religion? Is it an ethical system?

The Triple Gem (3 slides): Taking refuge in the three jewels of Buddhism – The Buddha, The Dharma, The Sangha.

Karma Is Inescapable (4 pages)

Buddhist Studies for Young Students – Secondary Level (115 pages) by D. Murty, 2012. A workbook consisting of 15 lessons with questions and activities. The main aims of this workbook are to help students: 1. develop basic knowledge of the Buddhist religious tradition and realise the true value of the Buddha’s teachings to themselves and others, 2. by applying the teachings in their daily lives, become well established in a peaceful way of living – the Middle Way of life.

Mantras in Pali (2 pages)

Heart Sutra (series of 6 slideshows approx 10-20 slides each): This lesson will attempt to take often obscure and confusing sutra and make it not only understandable but also relatable to high school students.

Paramitas (series of 7 slideshows of approx 8 slides each): Looking at the Six Paramitas (Perfections) through the lens of popular culture.

Guided Breathing Meditation (10:51): a short guided meditation to bring awareness to the breath and the body.

Dalai Lama’s Guide to Happiness (8:06): snippets of the Dalai Lama discussing happiness.

Inclusiveness – Talk for Children by Sister Annabel Laity, Plum Village (Youtube, 25:48)

Learn to be at peace with yourself – Ajahn Brahm (Youtube, 59:19)

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