Children Dharma Class - Planting the Bodhi Seeds

One ongoing lesson that has been taught and reiterated throughout this term is Temple etiquette and the importance of making good choices whilst at the Temple. This week, Teacher Elaine brought the two classes (Beginner and Intermediate) together to revise expectations and to discuss what good choices look like in relation to Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Three Goodness. Students were prompted and supported by Teacher Elaine to reflect and consider specific actions they can take to improve their behaviour to best align with their inherent Buddha Nature. Teacher Elaine talked to students about how making good choices ripens the seed of goodness within us, and how creating good habitats shapes who we become as people.

After this valuable discussion, the two classes worked collectively to clean the classrooms. Students worked in unity, and with great attentiveness to wipe down chairs, tables, windows, walls and other classroom furniture. The floor was also vacuumed, leaving the room in pristine condition. The process of cleaning is a way for the students to give back to the Temple and to show kindness to the environment, whilst also cultivating diligence and attention to detail. 

In the second half of the lesson, the junior and intermediate classes split to engage in separate learning programs. The junior class revised this term’s content through worksheet activities and a fun board game. Through these activities, it could be seen that this term’s learning has been fruitful and that the junior students have learnt a lot of new content. 

The intermediate lesson was focused on reading Buddhist stories, while inferring the moral lessons that can be taken from them and applied to daily life. The two stories “The Best Friendship” and “Never Waste a Thing” were well received by the intermediate students, which helped them to understand the importance of being frugal. Students learnt that only using what one needs to avoid being wasteful, and this is an act of kindness to others. They also learnt that sharing is an act of compassion, and that great happiness can be experienced through acts of compassion.

It is not long till the students of The Children’s Dharma Class greet their final lessons for this term. Learning has been plentiful over the past 8 weeks. Students have built positive affinities with each other, and Dharma seeds have been planted, nurtured and nourished within each individual student.