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The spread of Buddhism

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/g912/buddhism.html

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Social Studies

Provider: National Geographic


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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore, compare, and contrast famous Buddhist art and Buddhist sites in Asia, noting differences they see in the images. Activities in this lesson engage students in whole class discussion, collaborative group work, development of visual literacy skills, and class presentations.

Students will:

    describe characteristics of Buddhism;
  • describe how some of the basic characteristics of Buddhism informed Buddhist images in Asia;
  • describe how Buddhist images changed as the faith traveled to different regions in Asia;
  • describe how attitudes toward nature were reflected in Buddhist art;
  • describe how Buddhist art offers examples of how Buddhism adapts to different cultural and physical environments;
  • generalize on how ideas change and adapt as they travel to new environments; and
  • demonstrate an appreciation for some of Asia’s great works of art.

Xpeditions provides detailed directions for completing the lesson, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, discussion questions, and links to helpful web resources.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 11–12 — Advanced Placement World History

  • Goal 1: Historical Themes, Tools, and Practices – The learner will identify, evaluate and use the methods and tools valued by historians, compare the views of historians, and trace the themes of global history.
    • Objective 1.02: Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources to compare views, trace themes, and to detect point of view.
    • Objective 1.03: Trace the patterns and the impacts of interaction among major societies: trade, war, diplomacy, and international organizations.
  • Goal 2: Emerging Civilizations – The learner will analyze the development of early civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, c. 8000 BCE to 600 CE.
    • Objective 2.01: Examine the indicators of civilization, including writing, labor specialization, cities, technology, trade, and political and cultural institutions in early civilizations.
    • Objective 2.02: Trace the development and assess the achievements in the arts, sciences, and technology of early river civilizations, including but not limited to those around the Huang-He (China), Indus (India), Nile (Egypt), and Tigris-Euphrates (Mesopotamia) rivers.
    • Objective 2.09: Compare the major belief systems prior to 600 CE including, but not limited to, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Judaism, and polytheism.

Grade 9

  • Goal 8: Patterns of History - The learner will assess the influence of ideals, values, beliefs, and traditions on current global events and issues.
    • Objective 8.02: Compare major Eastern and Western beliefs and practices, including but not limited to Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Shintoism, and locate their regions of predominance.