Windows into Buddhism
Windows into Buddhism is a free, global educational resource that provides trusted materials on Buddhism from all traditions, specifically designed to support teachers and students in schools where Buddhism is part of world religions, philosophy, or ethics curricula.
Here is a list of the Learning Goals which link to Windows into Buddhism content.
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402Vipassana MeditationAnalyze the distinction between awareness and its objects during vipassana practice, evaluate how investigating the three marks of existence (impermanence, suffering, non-self) through direct observation leads to insight, and synthesize understanding by creating guided practices that help others develop insight.
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415Karma and HabitAnalyze the relationship between Buddhist teachings on karma and neuroscientific understanding of habit formation; evaluate how conscious repetition of wholesome thoughts, words, and actions creates positive neural pathways; and synthesize understanding by implementing deliberate habit-change practices that demonstrate the intersection of contemplative training and brain plasticity.
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437The Qualities of the BuddhaAnalyze the Buddha’s qualities as described in traditional texts across multiple sources; evaluate which Buddha qualities most effectively inspire personal development; and implement contemplative practices that cultivate specific Buddha qualities while assessing their impact on daily ethical decision-making and relationships with others.
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459Anatta OverviewExplain the truth of selflessness and how clinging to a sense of self affects our experience. Apply insight of the impermanent, changing quality of the self to be more at ease with different experiences.
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403Shamatha MeditationExplore shamatha meditation as a way to calm the mind and support both insight (vipassana) practice and everyday mental habits; evaluate personal experience with meditation; and demonstrate the practice by leading shamatha sessions that guide breath-based concentration while recognizing common challenges, obstacles, and their antidotes.
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111Practicing Refuge for OthersImplement awareness practices to generate a calm, grounded center, and evaluate how being present and nonjudgmental serves as effective support for others.
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458BuddhanatureAnalyze how the concept of buddhanature may affect one’s outlook on life; compare and contrast the principle of buddhanature with other religious or philosophical beliefs; and assess how the understanding of innate goodness transforms relationships.
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313MadhyamakaAnalyze Nagarjuna’s concept of dependent arising by examining how phenomena exist only in relationship to other things, then evaluate how attachment to fixed ideas creates suffering in personal situations. Apply the Middle Way perspective to challenging life circumstances, comparing responses based on rigid thinking versus flexible understanding, and synthesize how recognizing the interdependent nature of problems and successes can lead to greater compassion and skillful action.
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210Western Philosophy and BuddhismAnalyze the Buddha’s teachings in relation to other philosophical and scientific perspectives, evaluating points of convergence and divergence.
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230Three Yanas: Theravada BuddhismAnalyze the foundational principles, practices, and scriptural authority of Theravada Buddhism, compare and contrast Theravada approaches to liberation with Mahayana and Vajrayana perspectives, and evaluate how different cultural contexts have shaped the preservation and expression of early Buddhist teachings.