The Dewdrop Digest

The Dewdrop Digest
Connecting Children, Youth and Sangha
Clouds in Water Zen Center
Sunday, September 29, 2002

Today's lesson:
Today the Preschool and K-1 class will be learning about the birth of Buddha. Despite the many miraculous aspects of his birth, one of the main points to digest is that Prince Siddhartha was a real person just like you and me.

Older students will also learn about his early, very sheltered life, his marriage and birth of his son, his first encounter with suffering (sickness, old age and death) and his decision to leave home to seek an end to suffering for the benefit of all beings. As we tell the story, we emphasize that Siddhartha considered his family responsibilities and decided that leaving them was the best for them (that he could help them more by seeking the truth). In discussions, students will have the opportunity to explore the creative tension between family life and practice.

Context for today's lesson
This year's teaching theme is "Mindfulness and Meditation". Our in-depth exploration of the life story of the Buddha this fall will be followed in winter with deep study of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Other fall topics include women in early Buddhism, the story of the courage and determination of Mahaprajapati, and, for older students, the Mindfulness of Breathing Sutra.

The birth of Buddha
The Buddha was born in 563 B.C. as Siddhartha to King Shuddhodana and Queen Maya of a small kingdom in Ancient India (now Nepal). While pregnant, the queen dreamt that a radiant white elephant entered her womb. The dream signified that she would bear a son with immense talent and divine knowledge.

The birth took place in a lovely forest grove at Lumbini. The child stood, said that he would help all beings end suffering, and took seven steps in each of the four directions (each footprint, a lotus). Then the child fell asleep like any other baby.

Amidst the celebrations that followed, the old sage Asit paid a visit to the palace. The radiance of the child left the saint feeling awestruck. There were marks of wheel on the child?s feet and other auspicious signs. The sage told the king, "Your family is a blessed. The birth of such a child happens just once in a thousand years. This child will enlighten the world with knowledge and love. However, your wife will die within seven days."

Siddhartha was brought up by his auntie and stepmother Gautami, whose Buddhist name was Mahaprajapati. She later became an arhat and the first woman teacher. She is part of the liturgy at Clouds in Water.

Session 2 homework assignment, due Sunday, October 13:
Preschool and K-1: Read some of your favorite books about birth and babies. Perhaps bring one to class.
2nd grade and up: Learn about the personal practice of one person in your household (e.g., five periods of sitting meditation per week, volunteers at a shelter, yoga class, etc). Find out how this affects the practitioner. Ask yourself how you feel about it. What difference does it make in family life? Make note of anything that you learned or that surprised you about this and bring to class.
All students: If you have a story, idea, memory or question that was triggered by class discussions or by your experience in the world, please bring to class to share and/or discuss with your teachers. Don't let the homework box you in!

About homework
We hope that Children's Practice homework makes lessons more meaningful and "of a whole." The intent is:
- to more deeply connect home and zendo.
- to more deeply convey our teaching message.
Parental involvement is encouraged (and is essential for younger children). Feel free to modify the assignment according to your child's developmental unfolding and to their interests. Please contact the coordinator, Katharine Krueger, or one of your child's teachers with any questions or suggestions.

Songs

THREE REFUGES (There were extra words printed last time - sorry about that!)
I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life.
Namo Buddha-ya, Namo Buddha-ya, Namo Buddha-ya.

I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and love.
Namo Dharma-ya, Namo Dharma-ya, Namo Dharma-ya.

I take refuge in the Sangha, the community that lives in harmony.
Namo Sanga-ya, Namo Sanga-ya, Namo Sanga-ya.

TWO VOWS SONG
Let me vow to develop understanding,In order to live peacefully with people,Animals, plants and minerals,Animals, plants and minerals.Mmm, ahh . . . Mmm, ahh . . . Let me vow to develop compassion, In order to protect the lives of people, Animals, plants and minerals, Animals, plants and minerals. Mmm, ahh . . . Mmm, ahh . . .


Question, suggestion, problem? Contact Children's and Youth Practice Coordinator Katharine Krueger here at x10 or katharine@cloudsinwater.org


posted by Michael Howard on 9/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | link