Children Dharma Class - Learning the Dharma is Enjoyable

On the 29th of May 2022, the Children’s Dharma Class met for their fourth lesson of the term. We congregated together at the Front Shrine and practised our half bow in reverence to the Bodhisattva. The students of the Dharma class have and continue to learn that bowing is a wholesome practice and that the statues of The Buddha and Bodhisattvas remind us of the virtues we aspire to.

As we left the front shrine to attend the Sunday Dharma function (in the main shrine) we also practised walking in an orderly line. Walking mindfully is part of Temple etiquette as explained by Teacher Sin Jun. After attending the Sunday Dharma function, we went to the lesson room and chanted the Heart Sutra in Sanskrit altogether. The students of the Dharma class are becoming increasingly familiarised with this sutra and are learning to hold their palms together whilst chanting.

The junior class read three stories. These stories taught the importance of listening over speaking, saying good words, and lining up nicely. After listening to these stories, the students solidified their learning through an interesting worksheet and an exciting action game led by Teacher Wendy. The students further reinforced their learning after a lunch break by completing some additional worksheets. Students commented to the teachers detailing which aspects of the worksheet they enjoyed most.

The first half of the intermediate class was run by Teacher Lisa who taught the students about hitting the board. Students learnt the location of the board within the Temple and why it is hit (to signal eating time). Teacher Gwen then led the second half of the lesson and she used storytelling to teach the students about The Buddha’s renunciation and enlightenment. The students all focused intently and completed the follow-up worksheet on this. This was an opportunity to reflect on their new learning.

Today was a successful day with some noteworthy achievements. Wish demonstrated virtue by volunteering to act as an assistant to Teacher Lisa and holding the responsibility of hitting the board. He did so very well and was a great example for the other students. Zoey and Carter also displayed a strong understanding of the lesson’s content and were able to provide specific answers to questions with confidence. Emmeline also noted that she likes to learn mindfully and appreciates not rushing through work. This was a very insightful comment to make. It is wonderful to see each student working so hard and cultivating diligence in learning.