NSW Buddhist curricula

The need for a standard curricula has become more obvious in the last couple of weeks. The NSW Buddhist council, and the councils from other states in Australia, have written guidelines describing mandatory and elective modules.

The compulsory modules are:

• Module 1 Introduction to Buddhist classes.
• Module 2 Life of the Buddha. Part 1: Birth, childhood & marriage.
• Module 3 Life of the Buddha Part 2: Leaving the palace – the four sights.
• Module 4 Life of the Buddha Part 3: Under the Boddhi tree – Enlightenment.
• Module 5 Life of the Buddha Part 4: What the Buddha taught- the Four Noble Truths.
• Module 6 Life of the Buddha Part 5: The Buddha’s Disciples – the Sangha.
• Module 7 Life of the Buddha Part 6: Showing Loving Kindness.
• Module 8 Life of the Buddha Part 7: The Buddha’s last days.
• Module 9 Who is a Buddhist? The Triple Gem. The Five Precepts.

The Elective modules

• Module 1 Sangha visit.
• Module 2 Visit to (preferably) local Buddhist temple.
• Module 3 Buddhist festivals.
• Module 4 Buddhism in different cultures. Choose from: eg. Vietnamese, Tibetan, Japanese,
• Sri Lankan, Chinese, Cambodian, Thai etc.
• Module 5 Visit from/or to Gyuto Monks for Sand Mandala making & chanting.
• Module 6 Buddhist Art & History.

Interestingly the modules describe content, not necesarily learning outcomes.
I will try to cover all these topics during the 4 terms in the year.
But I will try to focus on the eightfold path. The way I am doing it is following the Buddhas life and highlighting those things that show the four noble truths:

1. There is suffering
2. There is a reason for suffering
3. There is a solution to suffering
4. The solution is the eightfold path.

And the eightfold path:
1. Right views/understanding
2. Right thoughts
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration