Liberation (Ages 15-18)

• 301Three Poisons: Anger

  Analyze anger as a mental state that projects exaggerated negativity onto situations or people, and evaluate how it arises from unmet desires and leads to further confusion and suffering; then implement contemplative practices such as mindfulness, patience, and perspective-taking to recognize triggers and gradually transform reactive habits into balanced responses that support emotional clarity and compassion.
• 302Three Poisons: Ignorance

  Analyze ignorance as misunderstanding—particularly regarding impermanence, interdependence, and selflessness. Evaluate how ignorance serves as the root of all afflictions and distorted perceptions, and implement practices such as mindfulness, reflection on interdependence, and analytical meditation to weaken habitual confusion and cultivate wisdom and clarity in daily life.
• 223Sutta/Sutra Structure

  Differentiate between source texts and commentaries, and analyze how these textual categories function within each of the three yanas.
• 224Cross-Cultural Dialogue

  Design thoughtful, respectful questions to investigate others’ beliefs and lineage, balancing confidence, tact, and humility, and evaluate how this approach enhances cross-cultural understanding.
• 226Great Patrons of Buddhism

  Compare and contrast the contributions of at least three significant Buddhist patrons across different historical periods and cultural contexts; analyze how patronage has been essential for dharma preservation and transmission; and evaluate contemporary opportunities for supporting the practice and preservation of the buddhadharma while implementing specific actions that contribute to wisdom and compassion in modern contexts.
• 234Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha

  Analyze which qualities of the Buddha, the teachings, and group practices resonate personally, and evaluate why these elements are meaningful, interesting or inspiring to your own path.
• 239Women in Buddhism

  Analyze the Buddha’s teachings on gender equality, and evaluate the historical challenges women have faced in Buddhist traditions despite these teachings.
• 240The Dhammapada

  Analyze key themes in the Dhammapada, and evaluate how these ancient teachings remain relevant to contemporary issues and experiences.
• 205Approaches 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.
• 206Buddhist Rituals Across Traditions

  Categorize ritual practices across Buddhist traditions according to their functions (purification, mindfulness cultivation, merit generation), analyze how specific rituals engage body, speech, and mind simultaneously, and evaluate the role of ritual in preserving dharma transmission and fostering contemplative awareness.