Materials

• “Comparative Religion Chart” (Attachment B)
• Class notes (see bolded text in Instructional Activities below)
• Overhead projector (optional)
• Encyclopedias, other resource books, and/or Internet access
• Teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or activity (optional)

Instructional Activities

1. Review content covered to this point in the unit.
   
   
2. Remind students of the five major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. This lesson will focus on Buddhism. The students will add to the “Comparative Religion Chart” (Attachment B) from the previous session.
   
   
3. Ask various students in the class to provide one “fact” they think they know about Buddhism. Put these “facts” on the board or overhead.
   
   
4. Provide a brief history of the Buddhist religion. Include the following:
   • Location of origin
   • Present-day dominant location
   
   
5. Instruct students to locate Nepal on a map.
   
   
6. Display the following notes on the board or overhead:
   
   • Asoka’s missionaries spread Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia. Information on Buddhism includes:
   – Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
   – Four Noble Truths
   1.
   2.
   3.
   4.
   • Eightfold Path to Enlightenment (Middle Way)
   1.
   2.
   3
   4.
   5.
   6.
   7.
   8.
   
   
7. Instruct students to complete the notes by researching the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to Enlightenment, using the teacher-provided resources.
   
   
8. Instruct students to work on their “learning cubes” or Comparative Religion Chart. Or assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.