Ritual

• 517ETea Ceremonies

  Analyze tea ceremony as contemplative practice that integrates mindfulness of the five elements; evaluate how ritual tea service cultivates presence, gratitude, and community connection; and demonstrate competency by conducting tea ceremonies that exemplify Buddhist principles of mindfulness, generosity, and appreciation for interdependent conditions supporting daily nourishment.
• 433EShrine Room Etiquette

  Analyze shrine room etiquette practices as external expressions of internal reverence for the three jewels; evaluate how mindful behavior in sacred spaces cultivates respect, awareness, and devotion; and implement appropriate ritual conduct while explaining how these practices function as mind-training techniques that transform outer behavior into inner spiritual development.
• 429EMudras

  Demonstrate basic symbolic gestures (mudras) common across Buddhist traditions, and analyze the meaning and purpose of each.
• 414EVisualization Practices

  Compare and contrast the use of visualization in different Buddhist meditations with its use in modern contexts, and design a visualization to support a personal goal that brings benefit to self and others.
• 236EVisiting Holy Sites

  Identify and locate major Buddhist pilgrimage sites while analyzing their historical and symbolic significance, evaluate the practices and attitudes that constitute authentic pilgrimage versus religious tourism, and demonstrate culturally appropriate conduct that honors the sacred nature of Buddhist temples and holy places.
• 228EUnseen Beings

  Analyze the role of unseen beings across Buddhist traditions, and differentiate the unique qualities attributed to commonly referenced non-human entities. Evaluate how these symbolic relationships support practitioners’ cultivation of positive qualities such as protection, wisdom, and compassion.
• 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.
• 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.
• 232EThe Three Yanas: Vajrayana Buddhism

  Identify the methodologies specific to Vajrayana Buddhism. Examine how tantric practices integrate ritual, visualization, and guru-disciple relationships, and evaluate how Vajrayana approaches to transformation relate to the foundational teachings preserved in Theravada and Mahayana traditions.