Band E (Ages 15-18)

• 105ERight Motivation in Leaders

  Analyze the motivations behind leaders’ decisions by evaluating evidence of the three poisons versus the three antidotes in their words and actions. Compare how leaders with altruistic versus self-serving motivations impact their communities, then develop criteria for assessing whether leadership decisions align with Buddhist principles of non-harm and benefit to others.
• 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.
• 101EAnatta and Service

  Analyze systemic issues within the community by evaluating their root causes and interconnected effects, then design and implement collaborative social action initiatives that prioritize collective wellbeing over individual recognition, while critically examining their own motivations to align actions with the principle of anatta (selflessness).
• 102EAlleviating Dukkha

  Apply the four noble truths framework to analyze a specific community issue by identifying the suffering, investigating its causes, envisioning cessation, and designing a path to resolution; evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions through the lens of reducing kleshas (mental afflictions); and implement community action that demonstrates understanding of both relative and ultimate approaches to alleviating suffering.
• 103EAhimsa in Society

  Analyze systemic structures through the lens of ahimsa (non-aggression) by identifying who benefits and who is harmed by specific economic, social, or political systems; evaluate personal participation in potentially harmful systems using Buddhist ethical frameworks; and synthesize understanding by designing alternative approaches that prioritize ahimsa and pratityasamutpada (dependent origination) in social change efforts.
• 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.
• 107EChallenging Others’ Views

  Evaluate invalid assumptions and harmful dogmas, and generate skillful responses to challenge them using discriminating intelligence. Model and implement respectful inquiry techniques.
• The Paramita of Sila/Discipline

  Evaluate the relationship between external ethical guidelines and internal moral compass development; synthesize understanding of sila by creating community agreements that reflect Buddhist principles of non-harm (ahimsa); and analyze how disciplined practice creates conditions for wisdom and compassion to emerge naturally.