Meditation

• 231EThree Yanas: Mahayana Buddhism

  Articulate the distinctive characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism, including the bodhisattva ideal and emphasis on universal liberation; analyze how Mahayana approaches to practice (emptiness philosophy, Pure Land practice, Zen meditation) address different paths to awakening; and evaluate the relationship between Mahayana adaptability and preservation of core Buddhist principles.
• 225EHomage and Praise as Practice

  Actively pay homage and express gratitude to those who have taught, guided, and transmitted wisdom—showing appreciation for those who bring us closer to the truth.
• 218ETwenty-one Praises to Tara

  Analyze specific examples of Tara’s virtues (compassion, fearlessness, and wisdom) as described in selected verses from the Twenty-one Praises to Tara, and evaluate how devotional practices like chanting or recitation can cultivate positive mental qualities in practitioners.
• 139EEngaging with Equanimity

  Analyze how attachment to idealistic expectations creates suffering in social engagement; evaluate how equanimity enables balanced responsiveness to change while maintaining compassion; and implement community service approaches that demonstrate neither detached indifference nor rigid attachment to outcomes.
• 140EEquanimity versus Apathy

  Analyze the critical distinction between equanimity and apathy by examining how each responds to witnessing harm or injustice; evaluate when compassionate action requires skillful intervention versus accepting what cannot be changed; and implement discernment practices that demonstrate caring engagement without emotional overwhelm, using skillful means to address harmful situations while maintaining inner balance and open-heartedness.
• 208ESukhavati Sutras

  Compare Pure Land Buddhism with other forms of Buddhism, analyzing how the practice of chanting Amitabha’s name serves both as devotion and meditation and how visualizing a perfect realm can inspire positive daily actions.
• 112EMindful Consumption

  Analyze the food cycle, differentiating its causes, conditions, and effects. Evaluate how elements from the outer environment transform into the body’s inner elements through eating and drinking. Guide others in a practice of mindful consumption.
• 449EPrajnaparamita Mantra

  Identify the function of mantra practice within Buddhist meditation traditions. Analyze how the prajnaparamita mantra connects to the Heart Sutra’s teachings on emptiness, and demonstrate competency by accurately reciting the mantra and explaining its meaning.
• 315EParting from the Four Attachments

  Identify the four types of attachment described in this teaching. Examine how each manifests in contemporary life, then evaluate personal motivations and priorities to identify which attachments most strongly influence decision-making.