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Buddhism
Highlights for Early Childhood Teachers

When did Buddhism begin? Around 500 BC

Where did it originate? In the northeast corner of India, in what is now Nepal

Where is Buddhism practiced today? Mainly in Asia: China, Nepal, Japan, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Cambodia, Thailand, and Korea. Buddhism is growing in Canada and the United States. Zen is a popular form of Buddhism that focuses on the importance of meditation.

How many Buddhists are there worldwide? Over 350 million
How many Buddhists are there in the United States? 1,082,000 or about 0.5%

Where do people worship ? In their homes, and sometimes in Buddhist temples

What are some important Buddhist writings? The Tripitaka (“Triple Basket”) contains the teachings of Buddha and his followers.

Who are the major deities or prophets in this religion?
Buddhism does not include belief in a god. Some Buddhist scriptures point to the Buddha as a guide. Within Buddhism people strive to transcend their personalities to attain Nirvana, or Infinite Bliss.

A young prince named Siddhartha Gautama, a Hindu, began Buddhism.
The name “Buddha” means the Awakened One, someone who has become enlightened.

What are some of the important values and beliefs of Buddhism?
Buddhist teachings include four noble truths:

Life inevitably involves suffering, is imperfect and unsatisfactory.
Suffering originates in desire.
When desire ends, suffering ends.
Humans can end desire and suffering by following the eightfold path.

The eightfold path:
Right understanding—awareness of Buddha’s teachings
Right thoughts or intentions—uncover and uproot unhealthy emotions behind our thinking.
Right speech—abstain from gossip, lying, and harsh language
Right action—observing the five precepts: avoid destroying life, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants.
Right livelihood—making a living in an honest way that hurts no living thing
Right endeavor—striving to end unwholesome states of mind
Right mindfulness—being mindful of bodily processes, feelings, states of mind, and thoughts.
Right concentration—practicing meditation that leads to enlightenment
What are some important traditions and practices?

Insight meditation, which can be practiced at home or in a temple
A common Buddhist prayer is “May all beings be free from sorrow.”
Buddhist monks shave their heads and practice a life of poverty and simplicity that leads them toward enlightenment.
In traditional Buddhist countries, older boys shave their heads and live as monks for several months.
Statues of the Buddha remind followers of Buddha’s teachings (dharma).
Buddhists try to apply the eight-fold path and other teachings of Buddha to their everyday lives. Mindfulness means bringing attention to one’s own thoughts and actions and how they affect others.

What are some important holidays, holy days, or festivals?
Wesak. This celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment is the most important festival in the Buddhist year. It is celebrated on the full moon of May or June.
Dharma Day. This day is a celebration of Buddha’s teachings. Buddhist scriptures are read and people reflect on their meaning. (Full moon of July)
Sangha Day. This is the celebration of spiritual community help on the full moon in November.
Paranirvana Day. This day honoring the death of Buddha is held on the full moon in February.

Are there any dietary restrictions?
Because they do not believe in harming living things, Buddhists are vegetarians.

Are there specific gender roles or customs about which teachers should be aware?
Buddha rejected the inequalities present in the Hindu caste system, as well as traditional prejudice against women.

Are their practices or beliefs that might not coincide with early childhood or public school functions and routines?
Buddhists are vegetarians. They do not emphasize material possessions. Children may be used to quiet time to meditate and reflect on their lives and actions.

A few children’s books on Buddhism:

Brown, D. (2002). Far beyond the garden gate. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Demi (1996). Buddha. NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Glossop, J. (2003) World Religions. NY: Kids Can Press Ltd.

Hewitt, T. (1995), Buddhism. New York: Thomas Learning.

Lee, M. J. (1999) I once was a monkey. New York: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd.

Raimondo, L. (1994). The little lama of Tibet. New York: Scholastic.

Rockwell, A. (2001). The Prince Who Ran Away. NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Stewart, W. & Rippin, S. (2005). Becoming Buddha The Story of Siddhartha. U.S.: HEIAN
International Inc.