Cultural Wisdom

• 230EThree Yanas: Theravada Buddhism

  Analyze 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.
• 229EMonastic Traditions

  Analyze the historical development and contemporary roles of monastic communities across Buddhist traditions, evaluate the relationship between ordained and lay practitioners in preserving and transmitting dharma, and demonstrate understanding of how monastic traditions adapt to cultural contexts while maintaining essential functions.
• 228EUnseen Beings

  Analyze the role of unseen beings across Buddhist traditions, and differentiate the unique qualities attributed to commonly referenced non-human entities. Evaluate how these symbolic relationships support practitioners’ cultivation of positive qualities such as protection, wisdom, and compassion.
• 227ETransmission of the Dharma

  Analyze the role of lineage in preserving authentic dharma transmission across generations and cultures; evaluate contemporary methods of communicating Buddhist teachings (digital media, arts, education) against traditional oral and textual transmission; and synthesize understanding by creating innovative approaches to dharma communication that maintain authenticity while engaging modern audiences effectively.
• 205EApproaches to Refuge in the Three Yanas

  Analyze the distinctive approaches to taking refuge across the three Buddhist vehicles, evaluate how different motivations (personal liberation, universal awakening, rapid transformation) shape refuge practices, and synthesize understanding of how the three jewels function as sources of protection across diverse Buddhist traditions.
• 123EPreservation of the Dharma

  Evaluate choices that might contribute to the preservation of Buddhist traditions, and create strategies that ensure the continuation of dharma practices and teachings over time, supported with knowledge of historical efforts to protect and preserve the Buddhadharma.
• 200ELineage Traditions

  Compare how the three main Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana) pass down teachings, evaluating the strengths of each approach. Examine your own cultural and family traditions, and analyze which ones benefit people and which might cause harm. Evaluate how these ideas were transmitted to you, and how you transmit them to others, and develop criteria for responsibly choosing which ideas and traditions are worth continuing or changing.
• 202EThe Buddha and Social Hierarchies

  Analyze the radical nature of the Buddha’s teachings on caste, and evaluate their significance within the cultural context in which they emerged.
• 203EBuddhism and Indigenous Cultures

  Analyze which indigenous cultures pre-existed Buddhism in at least five regions, and evaluate what has remained constant and what has transformed in Buddhist traditions based on cultural interactions.