The Dewdrop Digest

The Dewdrop Digest
Connecting Children, Youth and Sangha
Clouds in Water Zen Center
Sunday, October 13, 2002

Today's lesson:
Our focus this year is "Mindfulness and Meditation". Today the Preschool and K-1 class will be learning about the early childhood of the historical Buddha, focusing on his kindness to animals (see next section).

Older students will complete the story of Buddha's life today, learning about:
+ His pursuit of asceticism.
+ The Enlightenment
+ His teaching years and his death
+ How the Buddha's teaching has spread through the world
One aspect of the enlightenment that we will focus on is Buddha's struggle with Mara who represents deception and self-deception: "You are not good enough."
The remedy is mindfulness. When he touched the earth and heard the Earth Goddess's affirmation, he denied the deception of shame and affirmed his true nature.

Prince Siddhartha and the Swan
As Prince Siddhartha grew up, many events in his life indicated his potential greatness. He not only was able to win games of strength and courage easily, but he seemed more sensitive than most children.

One day a swan fell from the sky at his feet. The swan had an arrow through its wing. Siddhartha removed the arrow and gently rubbed the swan's wing with medicine.

The Prince's cousin, Devadatta, appeared from the woods with his bow and arrows and said, "Give me that swan. It's mine. I shot it. I will have it for supper."

Siddhartha said, "No the swan is only wounded, and it can be nursed back to health."

The two boys argued and finally went before the King and Queen with their problem. The King and Queen were uncertain about what to do and asked the advice of the oldest person in the court. That person was respected by all and said, "Everyone values one's life more than anything else. Let the swan be given to the person who tried to save its life, not to the person who tried to take its life."

Devadatta was furious that Siddhartha got the swan. Through the years his hatred for Siddhartha continued, and there are many adventure stories about his attempts to beat Siddhartha in various ways.

Session 3 homework assignment, due Sunday, October 27:
Preschool and K-1: Read some of your favorite books about kindness to animals. Bring one to class and/or draw a picture.
2nd grade and up: Find and read a story where:
- a hero or heroine whose courage and determination to help others helps them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals
- a hero or heroine overcomes self-doubt and follows their true nature
Draw a picture, share the story, or bring the book to class next time. Books to borrow and a sheet with story suggestions will be available at the greeter's table.


Organic trail mix for sale
Children's Practice is proud to offer delicious organic trail mix for sale at a great price. This is a fundraiser for the children's and youth program at Clouds in Water. Please pick up a bag today!


Songs

ALLUNDE, ALLUNDE (African welcoming song)
Allunde, Allunde, Allunde Alluia
Allunde, Allunde, Allunde Alluia


OH GREAT SPIRIT (Native American)
Oh, Great Spirit,
Earth, Wind, Sky and Sea.
You are inside
And all around me.


MEDITATION SONG (Thich Nhat Hanh)
In, out.
Deep, slow.
Calm, ease.
Smile, release.
Present moment, wonderful moment.


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


posted by Michael Howard on 10/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | link