Meditation

• 121EEmpathy and Compassion

  Differentiate between cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, and compassion by analyzing how each contributes to understanding others’ perspectives and experiences; evaluate how dependent origination explains the uniqueness of individual viewpoints using examples like “The Blind Men and the Elephant”; and implement mindful listening and perspective-taking practices that cultivate empathy and transform it into compassionate action for alleviating others’ suffering.
• 401EDhyana: Meditation Techniques

  Compare and contrast multiple Buddhist meditation techniques (shamatha, vipassana, loving-kindness, walking meditation), analyze how each method addresses specific mental states and obstacles, and design appropriate meditation practices for different situations and temperaments.
• 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.
• 511ELila and Mudita

  Define and analyze the concepts of lila (divine play), mudita (sympathetic joy), and anicca (impermanence) in Buddhist philosophy; evaluate how cultivating spontaneity and celebrating others’ success supports contemplative development; and synthesize understanding by implementing creative practices that embody playful wisdom while maintaining awareness and compassion in artistic expression enhanced by recognition of impermanence.
• 511DLila and Mudita

  Create conditions for spontaneous joy in daily life through mindful attention to present-moment opportunities; practice mudita by genuinely celebrating others’ successes without comparison; and experiment with releasing creative control while maintaining awareness.
• 503DContemplative Arts

  Cultivate beginner’s mind through contemplative art practices by approaching familiar materials with fresh curiosity, questioning assumptions about artistic ability, and practicing openness to unexpected creative discoveries; engage in sustained contemplative art projects that develop patience, concentration, and acceptance of the creative process; and examine how contemplative art practice affects their relationship with perfectionism, self-judgment, and creative confidence.
• 511ALila and Mudita

  Practice spontaneous play and creative expression through movement, art, and imaginative activities; celebrate friends’ achievements with genuine happiness; and experience the joy of creating without worrying about the outcome.
• 511BLila and Mudita

  Explore stories and examples of joyful play and sympathetic celebration from various cultures; create and share stories that demonstrate the difference between spontaneity and impulsivity; and identify examples of mudita in literature and personal experience.
• 511CLila and Mudita

  Express understanding of lila and mudita through diverse creative projects while practicing spontaneous joy; design activities that help others experience genuine celebration; and explore how different people naturally express and experience playfulness through multiple creative approaches.