The Buddhist School meets on Sunday morning from 10:00 am - 11:30 am, children ages 6 through 12 have an opportunity to learn the Basics of Buddhism. Other subjects include the life of Buddha, the life of Milarepa, and the life of Guru Rinpoche. Children learn to meditate and recite mantra and prayer. Craft time has many fun subjects including Buddhist craft such as torma and mandala.
Our goal is to provide the youth of the community of Dayton and surrounding areas with the knowledge of Buddhism needed to participate in spiritual decisions as they mature. Further, we wish to encourage the children to experience individual and family practice in their daily lives.
Class Structure
The children begin class in the meditation room for opening chants, mantra reciting, and meditation. The children then continue to the classroom for curriculum based lessons. Lessons are then followed by craft time, which include dharma discussion.
Buddha School Curriculum
Our current core curriculum is from Dharma for Kids at the International Buddhist Society of Pennsylvania. Material on the lesson plans can be downloaded here.
There are also supplemental lessons that will correspond with the core curriculum. Supplemental lessons include:
Mandala
Torma making with Tsunma Rinzin Khando
Dakini
Buddhist Holiday specific lessons
Upcoming curriculum
Lessons will be drawn from the following books.
Title: BUDDHIST MASTER MILAREPA: THE TIBETAN POET-MYSTIC & HIS SONGS
ISBN: 8170262623
Publisher: HERITAGE PUBLISHERS
Author: Sunita Pant Bansal
Title: Buddhism
ISBN: 0872263894
Publisher: Peter Bedrick
Author: Anita Ganeri
Here is a tentative schedule for this session:
1/9 Registration
1/9 Lesson: procedure and review
1/16 Lesson: chapter 10 showing gratitude
1/23 Lesson: chapter 11
1/30 Lesson: chapter 12
2/6 Lesson: chapter 13
2/13 Lesson: chapter 14
2/20 Lesson: chapter 15
2/27 Interfaith Exchange
3/6 Lesson: Tibetan New year
3/13 Lesson: chapter 16
ABOUT OUR DEDICATED TEACHERS
BONNIE TOPITS:
People often ask me, "How long have you been a Buddhist?" I invariably reply, "All of my life, but I have been practicing for (six) years." The number of years is not as important as the seeking for truth. With this in mind, it occurred to me that it would have been much better if I had been formally introduced to Buddhism at a younger age. Then I realized that the children of Gar Drolma were the future Buddhists of our sangha, and from there the idea for The Buddha School began.
I could tell you many things about my life, but none would be more important than my love for family, which would include the family of the sangha. I belong to a small village called Gar Drolma. The most fulfilling hours of my life are spent there, teaching the children and promoting the develoment of educational program
ERIN Vasconcelos:
After years spent searching for a spiritual path I had the privilege of seeing H.E. Garchen Rinpoche speak at public event. His words of love and compassion resonated within my heart. From that day forward I knew Gar Drolma would be home for me and my children. Gar Drolma has provided my family with the spiritual support needed to help instill compassion in my children lives and hearts.
1329 Creighton AveNUE . Dayton, OHIO 45420
(937) 252-2220
sangha@gardrolma.org