Work and Service

• 100EDiligence and Optimism

  Differentiate between ordinary hope and authentic optimism in Buddhist practice; analyze how joyful effort (virya) transforms obstacles into opportunities for growth; and implement sustained diligent practice that maintains positive engagement with challenging tasks while cultivating realistic expectations based on dharmic principles.
• 104EMerit

  Analyze the relationship between virtuous actions and their karmic effects; evaluate how motivation influences the merit generated by specific behaviors; and synthesize understanding of merit by designing anonymous acts of service that demonstrate the Buddhist principle of selfless giving.
• 106EWork as Practice

  Analyze the Buddhist concept of right livelihood as it applies to contemporary work and service; evaluate how transforming daily tasks into mindfulness practice affects both personal well-being and contribution to others; and synthesize understanding by implementing work-as-practice approaches that demonstrate dignity, presence, and selfless service in various life contexts.
• 133EExploring Boundaries

  Analyze personal and physical boundaries, implement healthy boundary-setting practices, and evaluate how visible and invisible boundaries shape experience.
• 129EThe Buddha’s Equanimity

  Analyze the Buddha’s demonstration of equanimity in the kusa grass story by examining how he transcended social hierarchies and caste distinctions; evaluate how treating all beings with equal dignity challenges contemporary forms of bias and discrimination; and implement practices of unconditional respect that demonstrate recognition of innate goodness in all people regardless of their social status, background, or relationship to oneself.
• 133Exploring Boundaries

  Learn your school’s name and identify main buildings and playground areas, point to school boundaries during guided walks, practice simple boundary respect through ‘May I?’ games, and participate in group activities that create gentle boundaries like circle time and turn-taking.
• 129AThe Buddha’s Equanimity

  Practice treating everyone with kindness by offering seats to classmates, demonstrate caring actions toward all friends regardless of differences, and show equal friendship to everyone in the class through daily interactions and inclusive play activities.
• 133BExploring Boundaries

  Create simple diagrams showing your school within larger community areas, identify authority figures and map school buildings, compare when boundaries are helpful versus problematic, practice setting healthy boundaries through classroom rituals, and co-write a land acknowledgment that honors the people who first cared for this land.
• 130The Buddha’s Equanimity

  Demonstrate equal respect for all classmates through inclusive actions, practice responding to unfair treatment with kindness rather than exclusion, and implement daily habits that show everyone has equal value regardless of their background or abilities.