Teacher guide 6th grade alike buddhist mandalas

Origins of Buddhism &Origins of Buddhism &
The Creation of MandalasThe Creation of Mandalas
(Sacred Circles)(Sacred Circles)
By Amy Zschaber
www.artfulartsyamy.com artful.artsy.amy@gmail.com

Origins of BuddhismOrigins of Buddhism
The Big Idea
Buddhism began in India
and became a major religion.
Buddhist make sacred circles, called mandalas, as part of
their religious practice.
Main Ideas
• Siddhartha Gautama searched for wisdom in many ways.
• The teachings of Buddhism deal with finding peace.
• Buddhism spread far from where it began in India.
• Mandalas are a type of meditation
• Mandalas are geometric
• Mandalas are still made by Buddhist monks today
 Adapted slide from
http://goo.gl/MFGyw4

Quest for Answers
• Siddhartha was born a
prince, but he questioned
the meaning of life.
• Determined to find
answers using:
• Meditation
• Fasting
• Learning from
different teachers
Enlightenment
• Found it under the Tree of
Wisdom while meditating
• Called the Buddha
(Enlightened One)
• Spent the rest of his life
traveling and teaching his
ideas
SiddharthaSiddhartha
 slide from http://goo.gl/MFGyw4

1.
Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one
can escape sorrow.
Teachings of BuddhismTeachings of Buddhism
Four Noble Truths
2.
Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material
goods.
3.
People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach
nirvana, a state of perfect peace.
4.
People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an
eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and
salvation.

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

Ancient Ways
• The Buddha
taught that
following the
Vedic texts was
unnecessary.
• Challenged the
authority of
Hindu priests
Changing Society
• A more
individualistic
approach to
enlightenment
• Rebirth as a
means to evolve
Challenging Hindu IdeasChallenging Hindu Ideas
Caste System
• Opposed caste
system
• The Eightfold
Path could lead
any individual
to nirvana.
• The Buddha’s
teachings
reached all
classes.

Buddhism branches out
Buddhism splits
• Asoka, one of the most powerful kings in India, became a
Buddhist and spread Buddhism in India and foreign lands.
• Buddhist missionaries traveled the world to teach
enlightenment.
• Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada and
Mahayana.
• Members of the Theravada followed the Buddha’s teachings
exactly.
• Members of the Mahayana believed that individual
interpretation was important.
Buddhism began in India and then became aBuddhism began in India and then became a
major religion.major religion.

Early Spread of BuddhismEarly Spread of Buddhism

Buddhism in the World TodayBuddhism in the World Today
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea,
and parts of China have the largest population of Buddhists

The head of Buddhism is called theThe head of Buddhism is called the
“Dali Lama.”“Dali Lama.”
Buddhist believe the
Dali Lama is the
reincarnation of
Buddha.
The current Dali Lama
is the 14th
incarnation
of Buddha.

Where do Buddhist worship?Where do Buddhist worship?
“Buddhist worship at home or
at a temple. Worshippers may
sit on the floor barefoot facing
an image of Buddha and
chanting. It is very important
that their feet face away from
the image of Buddha. They
listen to monks chanting from
religious texts and take part in
prayers.”
-Buddhism for Children

What do Buddhist look like?What do Buddhist look like?
Anyone can follow the
teachings of Buddhism.
Buddhist look like you
and me.

What do Buddhist Monks look like?What do Buddhist Monks look like?
Buddhist monks are male. Buddhist
nuns are female. These are people
who consider themselves students
and dedicate their lives to studying
and living like Buddha. They usually
wear orange and have shaved
heads.

Buddhism is a part of our cultureBuddhism is a part of our culture
1:35 video:
https://youtu.be/Nq8loZlpa_8

Buddhist monks and nuns makeBuddhist monks and nuns make
Mandalas, also known as “sacredMandalas, also known as “sacred
circles”circles”

Mandalas are a part of meditation.Mandalas are a part of meditation.
-Made using geometry & sand
-Many people collaborate
-Takes days to weeks to make
-Monks and nuns meditate and
pray as they create
-Meant to represent the word
in perfect form
-When finished, it is destroyed
and every grain is swept up.
-The grains of sand are thrown
into a river to be swept into the
ocean to bless the world

Buddhist Monks Making a MandalaBuddhist Monks Making a Mandala
https://youtu.be/imj64Kmw7iM

Mandalas useMandalas use radial symmetryradial symmetry
Radial Symmetry –
the arrangement of
parts in an object
that all come from a
central point.

You are going to make a MandalaYou are going to make a Mandala
inspired by the works of Buddhistinspired by the works of Buddhist
Monks!Monks!

Draw a circle on a 12”x12” paperDraw a circle on a 12”x12” paper

Use a ruler and draw 1 vertical and 1Use a ruler and draw 1 vertical and 1
horizontal diameter line to make a “plushorizontal diameter line to make a “plus
sign”sign”

Rotate your paper to turn your “plus” signRotate your paper to turn your “plus” sign
into an “X”into an “X”

Use a ruler and draw 1 vertical and 1Use a ruler and draw 1 vertical and 1
horizontal diameter line to make anotherhorizontal diameter line to make another
“plus sign”“plus sign”

Draw a smaller circle with the same focus orDraw a smaller circle with the same focus or
center as the large circlecenter as the large circle

Make a mark outside the diameter lines thatMake a mark outside the diameter lines that
make an “X”make an “X”

Use the marked diameter points as verticesUse the marked diameter points as vertices
for a squarefor a square

Mark the other four diameter linesMark the other four diameter lines

Use these diameter points as vertices for aUse these diameter points as vertices for a
second squaresecond square

Mark each point that touches the perimeterMark each point that touches the perimeter
of the smaller circle with a dot (make yourof the smaller circle with a dot (make your
dots smaller than mine!)dots smaller than mine!)

Mark every other line that hits the perimeterMark every other line that hits the perimeter
of the squares (I marked mine in blue)of the squares (I marked mine in blue)

Use a ruler, and draw a line connecting a dotUse a ruler, and draw a line connecting a dot
on the square to a dot on the circleon the square to a dot on the circle

Add your own design elements. Trace withAdd your own design elements. Trace with
sharpie. Erase pencil lines. Color withsharpie. Erase pencil lines. Color with
markers.markers.

Create a Mandala inspired by theCreate a Mandala inspired by the
work of Buddhist Monkswork of Buddhist Monks
1. Add details and
more geometry to
your mandala to
make it your own
2. Trace your design
with sharpie
3. Erase your extra
pencil lines
4. Color neatly with
marker
5. Cut out your final
mandala

Teacher guide 6th grade alike buddhist mandalas

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Teacher guide 6th grade alike buddhist mandalas