Teachers Notes
Every day Buddhists participate as a community (sangha) in chanted prayers or meditations called ‘puja’. Offerings, including food, are made to Buddha and these are placed on the shrine in front of the statues or pictures.
We filmed puja (prayers) taking place at the new home of the Vajrapani Buddhist Centre, in Birkby, Huddersfield following their move in late 2006, from a terraced house in the Highfields area of the town. The Vajrapani Buddhist Centre is one of seven Faith Centres that make up ‘Interfaith Kirklees’.
In making offerings of food Buddhists are practicing giving. Giving is one of the Six Perfections. This is explained below. Buddhists want to develop greater compassion and wisdom – and giving helps them to do this.
We have divided the website into 5 sections, each of which concludes with a series of questions. These can be used as discussion points with pupils.
The specific activities on this website are suitable for upper Key Stage 2 and lower Key Stage 3 pupils. However, classroom tasks can be differentiated and, with careful selection of film footage, the materials can be made suitable for younger and older pupils.
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Download the full Puja Teachers Pack |
Classroom Activities
Positives, Minuses and Interesting
Some Buddhists are lay Buddhists and others have taken ordination. From what you know of Buddhism, what do you think would be the good things (the positives) about being ordained; what things would be not so good (the minus points) and what would you find interesting? Work in pairs to complete the PMI sheet.
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Download the PMI sheet for this activity |
How Do You Show Respect
Who and what do you show respect to, how do you do this and why? Download and compete the chart below.
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Download the chart for this activity |
Meditation
Simple Relaxation & Breathing Meditation
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Download Simple Relaxation & Breathing Meditation |
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Download Preparatory Breathing Meditation |
Symbolism
Think about important symbols in your life – eg: a football scarf; something you picked up from the beach on a memorable holiday. Download and complete this chart:
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Download the chart for this activity |
Compare and Contrast - The Buddhas Tara and Dorje Shugdan
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Download worksheet 1 |
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Download worksheet 2 |
Compare and Contrast - Dedications for
Wishfulfilling Jewel Puja
The prayer is called Dedications for Wishfulfilling Jewel Puja. Compare it with The Lord’s Prayer (Christianity), by downloading and completing a Compare and Contrast Frame.
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Download the Compare and Contrast Frame for this activity |
Memory Mapping
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Download the instructions for this activity |
Daily Life
Think about your own life.
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Download the worksheet for this activity |