Special Interest Pathways

• 129DThe Buddha’s Equanimity

  Examine the Buddha’s revolutionary rejection of caste hierarchy through critical analysis of the kusha grass encounter, evaluate how this ancient story provides guidance for modern social justice activism, and synthesize understanding of how equanimity enables effective challenge to systemic oppression.
• 410EMindful Listening Practices

  Implement deep listening practices, and analyze the “listening pot” metaphor to identify essential conditions for effective communication.
• 411ERight Speech

  Evaluate speech patterns by identifying personal examples of any of the four non-virtuous speech actions; then design and implement communication strategies that integrate Buddhist principles of truthfulness, kindness, and timing to create more harmonious interactions with others.
• 505EGenerosity and Offerings

  Analyze the relationship between creative offering and the paramita of generosity; evaluate how releasing attachment to artistic outcomes transforms the creative process into dharma practice; and synthesize understanding of lila (divine play) by creating collaborative artworks that embody selfless generosity while maintaining joyful spontaneity.
• 105ARight Motivation in Leaders

  Practice making kind choices in classroom situations by identifying when someone needs help, demonstrating gentle ways to guide friends during play, and explaining how helping others makes everyone feel better.
• 105BRight Motivation in Leaders

  Analyze stories of helpful leaders and generous people by comparing characters who help versus those who are bossy, identifying the three antidotes (generosity, loving-kindness, wisdom) in story examples, and creating their own stories about kind leadership.
• 105CRight Motivation in Leaders

  Investigate the three poisons in leadership decisions by observing how greed, anger, and ignorance affect group dynamics, recognizing these patterns in themselves and others, and implementing strategies to transform poison-motivated actions into helpful ones.
• 105DRight Motivation in Leaders

  Apply right motivation principles from the eightfold path to evaluate leadership decisions by practicing the assessment of personal and others’ motivations using Buddhist criteria, implementing right intention in their own leadership opportunities, and designing intervention strategies when witnessing harmful leadership motivations.
• 503EContemplative Arts

  Compare and contrast contemplative arts traditions (ikebana, chado or tea ceremony, calligraphy, kyudo, charya dance) as forms of meditative practice; analyze how specific arts integrate mindfulness, precision, and aesthetic awareness; and evaluate personal experience by engaging in contemplative arts practice while documenting insights about the relationship between creative process and spiritual development.