Living in Reality
This set of slides created by meditation instructor Jakob Leschly gives an overview of why we practice meditation for a teen audience. You can download the slides and incorporate into a larger conversation about why we meditate and the basic practice.
My Bodhisattva Art Project
An art project with worksheets for students to design their own bodhisattvas
The Lunar New Year Song: Wood Dragon Year
Downloadable audio and lyrics. Middle Way Education commissioned composer Harry Einhorn to develop this Lunar New Year celebration song, adding a new verse every year, one for each animal of asian astrology.
Shugen Roshi on Equanimity, Emotions, and Walking Meditation
This video recording (1hr) is of Shugen Roshi's talk at the Middle Way School in January 2024. Shugen sat with students and parents to talk about impermanence, one of Middle Way Education’s core units of inquiry. He focussed on the importance of cultivating equanimity in the context of recognizing the impermanent, always-changing quality of all things. He also fielded questions from parents and students, who wanted to know things like “how did the Buddha have fun?”
Celebrations: Vesak
Vesak is a day when Buddhists around the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) of the Buddha. We think it’s a great day to encourage children to make simple offerings— flowers, incense, and candles—and to abstain from eating meat for the day or do life-release. Maybe host a birthday celebration for the Buddha!
Magha Pujwronga | Sangha Day
A short outline of Sangha day, or Magha Puja, which is an important day for the Theravada especially in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Sri Lanka. How do you observe this day? Send ideas to [email protected]
Lojong Slogan #38: Don’t seek others’ pain as the limbs of your own happiness.
A short video of a student explaining what this mind-training slogan by Atisha means to them.
Origami Buddha on a Lotus
This lesson plan includes everything you need to help children make an origami representation of the Buddha sitting on a lotus. Students will learn about and reflect on their significance and set intentions to make them as offerings.
Lojong Slogan #26: Don’t Ponder Others
A short video of a student explaining what this mind-training slogan by Atisha means to him.
Reflections on running a Parallel Camp
A discussion of important ideas and considerations when setting up and running a parallel camp, based on an interview with Deer Park camp organizer, Mr. Budhi Singh (Trilok).