Students research the meanings behind right effort; right mindfulness and right concentration on the eightfold path and its significance for Buddhists. As a follow up to the chanting students could do a stilling exercise in class when they are through’ a mediation exercise and then report back to the class on their feelings as ‘talked this was taking place. Whole class essay task on is a waste of time’ or is just an escape ‘Meditation ‘Meditation from the real world’ or benefits of meditation far outweigh the disadvantages’. How far ‘The do you agree? Buddhism, gender and sexuality Week Learning activities Resources 9–10 Introduce some background on Thailand and explain the status and role of mae chi/maechi Harvey P, An introduction to in Thai Buddhism. Buddhism, teachings, history and practice, second edition, Discuss Thai Bhikkunni movement and empowerment; consider the desirability of Cambridge University Press, ordination for women in Thailand and its possible effects of the status of women in society 2013 pg 300–301, 385–394 generally. The final section is on religious movements in contemporary Thailand. Review the key themes. Students could collate the information into a chart or mind map, and then add links as to how these social factors may influence Buddhist thinking. Cover the impact of tourism: increases in both prostitution and HIV/Aids and encouraged sex-trafficking of young girls exposed both urban and rural communities to examples of western lifestyle and attitudes the movement to ordain women in Thailand as a import’ or feminist ‘Western ‘western imposition’. Cover the changing roles of women:
Students research the meanings behind right effort; right mindfulness and right concentration on the eightfold path and its significance for Buddhists. As a follow up to the chanting students could do a stilling exercise in class when they are ‘talked through’ a mediation exercise and then report back to the class on their feelings as this was taking place. Whole class essay task on ‘Meditation is a waste of time’ or ‘Meditation is just an escape from the real world’ or ‘The benefits of meditation far outweigh the disadvantages’. How far do you agree? Buddhism, gender and sexuality Week Learning activities Resources 9–10 Introduce some background on Thailand and explain the status and role of mae chi/maechi in Thai Buddhism. Discuss Thai Bhikkunni movement and empowerment; consider the desirability of ordination for women in Thailand and its possible effects of the status of women in society generally. The final section is on religious movements in contemporary Thailand. Review the key themes. Students could collate the information into a chart or mind map, and then add links as to how these social factors may influence Buddhist thinking. Cover the impact of tourism: increases in both prostitution and HIV/Aids and encouraged sex-trafficking of young girls exposed both urban and rural communities to examples of western lifestyle and attitudes the movement to ordain women in Thailand as a ‘Western import’ or ‘western feminist imposition’. Cover the changing roles of women: Harvey P, An introduction to Buddhism, teachings, history and practice, second edition, Cambridge University Press, 2013 pg 300–301, 385–394