Buddhism: an Introduction [A six-week online course on the Buddhist religion] 3/22/2010 AiPH Ryan Fennell
Table of Contents Buddhism: an Introduction.................................................................................................................3 Course Description..............................................................................................................................3 Literature Review................................................................................................................................3 Goal Analysis.......................................................................................................................................3 Context Analysis..................................................................................................................................3 Instructional Goal Analysis..................................................................................................................3 Performance Objectives.................................................................................................................4 Domain of Learning.............................................................................................................................5 Domain of Learning.............................................................................................................................5 Audience Analysis...............................................................................................................................5 Content Analysis.................................................................................................................................5 Week 1............................................................................................................................................5 Week 2............................................................................................................................................6 Week 3............................................................................................................................................7 Week 4............................................................................................................................................7 Week 5............................................................................................................................................8 Week 6............................................................................................................................................9 Criterion-Referenced Test.................................................................................................................10 Midterm Exam (Weeks 1-3)..........................................................................................................10 Final Exam (Weeks 4-6).................................................................................................................13 Instructional Strategies and Methods..............................................................................................15 Instructional Materials..................................................................................................................16 Site Map............................................................................................................................................17 Interface Design – Wireframe...........................................................................................................18 Graphic Design - Storyboard.............................................................................................................19 Functional Specification....................................................................................................................20 Technical Specification......................................................................................................................20 Evaluation ....................................................................................................................................20 Formative......................................................................................................................................20 Summative....................................................................................................................................21
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Buddhism: an Introduction Course Description This course will give students in introduction in basic Buddhist beliefs that are held by almost every sect. It will also serve to give a basic history overview on the different sects that have appeared and the differences between them. Students will have a weekly reading with a textbook and Internet sources, and be graded on a short quiz weekly. There will be a midterm and a final in the six-week course.
Literature Review The book “What the Buddha Taught� is required reading for the course. The Website http://www.buddhaweb.org/index.html has information that is simple and easy to access for review. Various selections from http://www.sacredtexts.com/bud/index.htm will also be given for reading for homework.
Goal Analysis Students will recognize basic Buddhist beliefs and vocabulary used to describe the beliefs. They will be expected to know how the different systems of beliefs relate to one another and show general knowledge of the Buddhist ideas regarding the ultimate goal of reaching Enlightenment.
Context Analysis Students will be given questions on the reading on Moodle weekly, and be expected to submit the answers before the week is over. There will be a
Instructional Goal Analysis Students will be able to recall basic information on non-denominational Buddhist beliefs.
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Performance Objectives • • •
Students will be able to identify key Buddhist concepts and how they relate Students will be able to recognize certain vocabulary words, some in Sanskrit Students will recognize key events of the Buddha’s life
Domain of Learning Cognitive Students will be required to read information and recall it to later be tested on. The information and vocabulary required will be outlined on Moodle and expected to be reviewed by the students weekly.
Domain of Learning Students will have to have basic knowledge of using a computer and how to access the Moodle site on the internet weekly. Students are not required to have any prior knowledge of Buddhism before entering the class.
Audience Analysis This is mainly for older students, though teenagers in high school may also be eligible to take the course. It’s most likely to appeal to students studying religion or anthropology, as well as those that simply want to learn more about it. It requires an open mind and a desire to learn the basics of an ancient religion whose beliefs may conflict with their own. It also requires enough skill to read selected passages from a book and internet sources and remember key ideas for tests and quizzes.
Content Analysis Week 1 Read: “Preface” and Chapter 1 “The Buddhist State of Mind” Vocabulary: Buddha Siddhartha Guatama Arahant Bodhi Tree Samsara Review Questions: 1
1. Siddhartha Guatama was born in what country? What class of citizen was he? 2. Did Siddhartha become a Buddha while he was a Brahmen monk? 3. How is Buddhism different from other world religions in regards to its founder? 4. Does sin exist in Buddhism? 5. Does Nirvana happen after death? Why or why not? 6. How is Enlightenment and Samsara, the cycle of rebirth, intertwined? Answers: 1. India, he was a prince.’ 2. No, Buddha was no form of aesthetic monk and instead followed his own path. 3. Buddha does not claim to be anything other than a normal man; he is no “prophet” to any god or goddess. 4. No, there is no clear cut “good and evil”, only mindfulness and actions that stray from mindfulness. 5. No, it is obtained in this lifetime as one realizes “the truth”. Buddha himself obtained Nirvana and taught his followers until he died years later. 6. Enlightenment is the only way to escape Samsara and it’s suffering, by realizing the Truth and ending one’s desires that cause suffering and unhappiness.
Week 2 Read: “Chapter 2: The First Noble Truth: Dukka” Vocabulary: Dukka The Five Aggregates Review Questions: 1. What is the ultimate goal of following the Four Noble Truths? 2. How is the term “Dukka” translated? 3. Define “Samsara” and how it fits into Buddhist Teaching. 4. Why is Dukka the first noble truth, and not a later one? 5. The Five Aggregates make up what we consider our “self” in Buddhism. How is this connected to Dukka and the truth of our suffering? 6. Buddhism is neither pessimistic nor optimistic. How so? Answers: 1. To achieve Enlightenment to achieve Nirvana. 2. Suffering (in various instances). 3. Samsara is the cycle of rebirth and worldly suffering that only the realization of Nirvana can prevent. 4. Dukka is merely the realization of the endless, worldly suffering. The other truths are about how to deal with that suffering. 5. The Five Aggregates are what we consider our “mind” in a basic way, and 1
encapsulates our entire worldview and experiences. In this way it is really the Five Aggregates that are to be controlled and experienced instead of the person himself. 6. Buddhism is realistic, and finds fault in both overly pessimistic and overly optimistic attitude.
Week 3 Read: “Chapter 3: The Second Noble Truth: The Arising of Dukka” Vocabulary: Mental Volition Karma Review Questions: 1. “Thirst” is a large reason for the arising of Dukka. What are the three different types of thirst in Buddhism? 2. What does “Mental Volition” mean? 3. What is simple English definition of Karma? 4. Should Karma be linked with a sort of moral justice? 5. How does the impermanence of life relate to the Buddha’s teachings? 6. Is there a soul in Buddhism? If not what is transferred between death and life? Answers: 1. Thirst for sense-pleasures. 2. Thirst for existence. 3. Thirst for non-existence. 2. The will to live and exist, to continue, to become more and more. 3. Action. 4. No, the idea of “justice” does not fit into a Buddhists idea of peace and happiness. There is morality, but it is not based off of justice.
Week 4 Take Midterm Exam Read Chapter 4: “The Third Noble Truth: The Cessation of Dukka” Review Questions: 1. What is the main “truth” expressed in the Third Noble Truth? 2. What is the main “root” of Dukka that must be eliminated? 3. Why is Nirvana a difficult idea to explain? 4. Why is Nirvana not thought of as the extinction of the “self”? 5. Can Nirvana be realized through an outside source? 1
Answers: 1. There is a path to eliminate Dukka and escape Samsara. 2. Thirst (of various forms.) 3. The very idea of Nirvana is that it is a state of mind beyond words or normal human comprehension, and thus difficult to explain outside of how to achieve it. 4. There is no true self to extinguish. 5. No, it can only be realized within the self.
Week 5 Read Chapter 5: “The Fourth Noble Truth: ‘The Path’” Vocabulary: The Eightfold Path The Three Essentials –Ethical Conduct, Mental Discipline and Wisdom Review Questions: 1. Buddha discovered what between the two extremes of pain and pleasure, leading to enlightenment? a. The Middle Path 2. The Eightfold Path is largely what Buddha teaches as to how to achieve Enlightenment. List the eight categories. 1. Right Understanding 2. Right Thought 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration 3. Ethical Conduct is one of the three essentials of Buddhist training, focusing on the vast truth of universal love and compassion for all living things. Which categories of the path belong to this? 1. Right Speech 2. Right Action 3. Right Livelihood 4. Mental Discipline is the 2nd of the three essentials of Buddhist training, focusing on one’s awareness in his accordance to the eightfold path. What categories fit into this? 1. Right Effort 1
2. Right Mindfulness (attentiveness) 3. Right Concentration rd 5. Wisdom is the 3 and last of the three essentials of Buddhist training, focusing on understanding life and how it fits into the Four Noble Truths. What are the final two categories that fit into this? 1. Right Thought 2. Right Understanding
Week 6 Read Chapter 8: “What the Buddha Taught and the World Today” Take the final exam after reading and reviewing the questions. Vocabulary: Dharma Sangha Review Questions: 1. Does one have to be a monk in order to be a Buddhist? 2. Did the Buddha mean for everyone to retire from life and renounce their responsibilities? 3. What is the point of the Buddhist Monasteries? 4. What are the four happiness’s a layman may have? 5. Are Buddhists baptized? 6. What is the “triple gem” often taken to be considered Buddhist? 7. Did Buddha advocate war in certain circumstances? Answers: 1. No, anyone can become a Buddhist by following the eightfold path. 2. No, this is a common misconception. He laid out multiple ways for a layman to be a practicing Buddhist while still accepting their responsibilities. 3. They are places of learning and teaching for those that have the time and energy to fully devote themselves to achieving enlightenment and accepting monkhood. It is not necessary for enlightenment, just a preferred method for some people. 4. -Enjoying economic security and wealth acquired by just and righteous means. Spending said money on himself, his family/relatives and on good deeds. 1
-To be free from debts. -To live a pure life without committing evil in thought, word or deed. 5. No, though some countries have traditional ceremonies. 6. It is the acceptance of the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) and the Sangha (order of monks/other Buddhists) 7. No, he never justified violence toward any living creature and even did his best to stop violence from happening in his own time.
Criterion-Referenced Test
Midterm Exam (Weeks 1-3) 1. The man who would become the Buddha’s name was originally what, in Sanskrit? A. Simpa Ridtathga B. Mothga Terithka C. Siddhartha Guatama D. Krishna Misteria 2. The man to become Buddha was born in what country (as it is called today)? A. Egypt B. Thailand C. China D. India 3. The man to become Buddha found that _________ was the key to himself finding enlightenment A. Extreme Pain B. Extreme Pleasure C. The Middle Path D. No feeling at all 4. The man to become Buddha was born a: A. Prince B. Merchant C. Beggar D. Servant
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5. What became of Buddha’s life after achieving enlightenment? A. He ascended in heaven B. He immediately died and escaped rebirth C. He returned to teach until his death D. He became a god and instructed his followers 6. The Four Noble Truths are intended to lead to what? A. Happiness B. Good fortune C. Enlightenment D. Omniscience 7. Enlightenment, also known as Nirvana, is a sort of what? A. Heaven B. Path to become a god C. State of mind D. Brahmist ideal 8. The cycle of rebirth is known as what in Sanskrit? A. Arahant B. Samsara C. Bikkhu D. Namhaste 9. The first noble truth, Dukka, translates best into what in English? A. Suffering B. Misfortune C. Unluckyness D. Sadness 10. The truth of Dukka leads to what kind of Buddhist outlook on life? A. Optimistic B. Pessimistic C. A+B D. Neither A nor B 11. Mental Volition is what? A. The will to exist and become more in this life and others. B. The desire to escape the cycle of rebirth. C. One of the five aggregates D. Sinful thoughts that lead to impurity 12. Dukka often arises out of one of three “thirsts” as defined by Buddha. Which of these are not
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of those three? A. The thirst for sense-pleasures B. The Thirst for existence. C. The thirst for the unknown. D. The Thirst for non-existence. 13. Karma can be defined simply as: A. Fate B. Destiny C. Action D. Effect 14. The majority of Buddha’s teachings can be thought of as what? A. Difficult to understand B. Realistic and down to Earth C. Impossible to understand D. Secretive and hard to find 15. True or False, “Justice” is a major teaching within Buddhism. A. True B. False 16. True or False, everything in life is impermanent. A. True B. False 17. True or False, there is an eternal soul in Buddhism. A. True B. False 18. True or False, Buddha was a prophet. A. True B. False 19. True or False, one must be a monk to truly understand Buddha’s teachings. A. True B. False 20. True or False, the desire to escape the cycle of rebirth can lead to negative thirst. A. True B. False
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Final Exam (Weeks 4-6) 1. What does the Third Noble Truth deal with? A. The Eightfold Path B. The idea that there is a way to escape Samsara and Dukka C. How Dukka arises within oneself in various ways D. The definition of Dukka. 2. How can the idea of Nirvana neatly be summed up? A. The cessation of desires B. The first step to the true afterlife C. The path to heaven D. It cannot truly be defined or understood in plain words 3. Why doesn’t enlightenment extinguish what we think of as our “selves”? A. We must extinguish our self before reaching enlightenment B. Our selves live on eternally once Nirvana is reached C. All of ourselves emanate from the core of an eternal being or object D. There is no true self to extinguish 4. Can Nirvana be realized through an outside source? A. Yes, a teacher of the Buddhist faith may show us directly B. No, it can only be realized within the self by following the teachings of Buddha 5. The Eightfold Path… A. Is the majority of the teachings that Buddha laid out for his followers? B. Is only a small amount of what is needed to achieve enlightenment? C. Offers eight different paths to achieve enlightenment D. Was only taught after Buddha had died 6. Which of these is not one of the three essential teachings of Buddhism? A. Wisdom B. Logical Reasoning C. Ethical Conduct D. Mental Discipline 7. Which of the three essential teachings focuses on mental awareness in accordance to ones thoughts and actions and their relation to the Eightfold Path? A. Wisdom B. Logical Reasoning C. Ethical Conduct D. Mental Discipline
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8. Which of the three essential teachings focuses on universal love and harmony between all living things, and how it is important? A. Wisdom B. Logical Reasoning C. Ethical Conduct D. Mental Discipline 8. Which of the three essential teachings focuses on understanding the universe and how the Four Noble Truths are within everything? A. Wisdom B. Logical Reasoning C. Ethical Conduct D. Mental Discipline 9. Which of these are not categories of the Eightfold Path? A. Right Action B. Right Livelihood C. Right Belief D. Right Effort 10. Which of these are not categories of the Eightfold Path? A. Right Effort B. Right Mindfulness C. Right Discipline D. Right Concentration 11. Buddhism was originally meant to be followed by: A. The poor B. The educated C. Monks D. Everyone 12. Buddhism is often thought of as a religion that can only be practiced by those who renounce all their responsibilities and live as a beggar. Is this true? A. Yes. B. No. 13. Are joining monasteries the only way one can become enlightened? A. Yes B. No 14. Buddha laid out a series of four ________ that effect a layperson in the Buddhist view of things. A. Escapes
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B. Happiness’s C. Enlightenments D. Tests 15. Which of the following is not of the four things referenced above? A. Enjoying economic security and wealth acquired by just and righteous means. B. To live a pure life without committing evil in thought, word or deed. C. Spending said money on himself, his family/relatives and on good deeds. D. To be temporarily free from debts. 16. What is the reason for monasteries to exist? A. For the few select monks to achieve enlightenment, unlike most B. To have a place where powerful people in the Buddhist world can make decisions C. To provide meeting places for missionaries to organize D. To provide a place where monks can live and information can spread 17. When is a violent act acceptable according to the Buddha? A. In self-defense B. During a war C. All of the above D. None of the above 18. Which nation did the Buddha help engage in war against? A. Persia B. Egypt C. None D. China 19. Which of the following is not one of the “triple-gems” of Buddhism? A. Sangha B. Arahant C. Dhamma D. Buddha 20. One must be baptized to ever be considered Buddhist. A. true B. false
Instructional Strategies and Methods The Class will use direct instruction regarding online lectures the students will be expected to read as well as specific goals that are intended for the students to remember through reading and taking practice quizzes. 1
Instructional Materials The book “What the Buddha Taught� by Walpola Rahula will be the textbook for the class. Students will need a computer along with internet access, along with an account for Moodle that they can check weekly.
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Site Map
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Interface Design – Wireframe
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Graphic Design - Storyboard
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Functional Specification Each student will be given a username and a password to log into Moodle.com. The student will need to go to http://aiphlabws01/moodle and use their login and password to gain access to the site. From there they will click on the “Intro to Buddhism link”, and from there they will have access to the entire class. First they should click on the “Introduction” link and look over the short amount of info. Next they should click on the “Class 1 Lecture” link and review the information inside. They should click on the “vocabulary” and “homework” links within the site to gain the information required for the exams. After leaving the site they should click on the “Review Questions” link on the Moodle layout, and complete the first week’s quiz when they feel they are ready. This process will be repeated each week and there will be a midterm on week 3 and a final on week 6.
Technical Specification Students will need: 1 computer capable of weekly internet access 1 monitor to display computer information 1 modem to access the Moodle database
Evaluation Formative I will have students fill out a form on how they though the class went, as well as have peers test out the site and give me feedback on how to improve it on a consistent basis.
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Summative
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