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These Online
Research Projects are for students who are prepared to research
a selected Buddhist topic using the Net. Much of the content
for these projects are to be found in BuddhaNet's "The
Buddhist World" and "Buddhist History and Culture"
sections or we suggest that you check BuddhaNet's Web links
to other Buddhist resources. A class presentation and/or written
material can be made at the completion of each project. (We
would be interested in any high quality material for posting
on BuddhaNet, derived from these projects).
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The
Monastic Community
• Why might it be easier to practice
Buddhism if you're a monk or a nun?
•
What are the main differences between the
rules for a Theravadin monk/nun and a monk/nun in the
Tibetan tradition?
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Could any rules governing the lives of
monks/nuns be modified or done away with altogether, without
compromising the purpose and integrity of ordination?
If so, which ones and why? |
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Buddhist
Pilgrimage - the Holy Sites
• If you could only visit four
pilgrimage sites, which ones would they be and why?
• Choose a pilgrimage site
and compare it now with what it might have been like in
the Buddha's lifetime. For example, do people dress differently
now? Has the countryside changed in any way?
• Chose a pilgrimage site and
script what you would say if you were a tour guide describing
it to a group of tourists who knew nothing about the Buddha,
or his teachings. |
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The
Spread of Buddhism in Asia
• Choose two Buddhist countries
and list the main differences between them in terms of
the way Buddhism is practiced.
• Pick a key figure responsible
for the spread of Buddhism - either from one country to
another, or just within one country - and describe their
main achievements.
• Often what the Buddha taught
and the way it's practiced are two very different things,
due to cultural influences. Can you think of an example
where Buddhist teachings have been confused with a society's
customs? |
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Buddhist
Art and Architecture / Iconography
• Choose a Buddhist symbol
and using the Internet, find three depictions of that
symbol in use.
• What are some other Buddhist
symbols/iconography and can you explain their use?
• Do any Buddhist symbols/iconography
have equivalents in the Christian tradition? |
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A
Work of Buddhist Literature
• From a Work of Buddhist Literature, such
as the Dhammapada (Sayings of the Buddha), choose a verse
then describe what it means and its implications in your
own life. |
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Chinese
Buddhist Temple / Deities
• What is the history of the practice of Chinese
Buddhism in Australia? (or your country)
• Locate a Chinese Buddhist temple in Australia (or
in your country), find out about its history and if possible,
obtain a program of upcoming events. If you could attend
one, which would it be and why?
• Who's your favourite Chinese Buddhist deity and
why? |
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Women
in Buddhism
• If you were interviewing a Buddhist nun today,
what questions would you ask her, and how do you think
she might respond?
• Describe a typical day in the life of a nun.
• How are Buddhist nuns today still discriminated
against? |
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Buddhist
Festivals and Ceremonies / Devotional
Practices
• How does a traditional Buddhist marriage ceremony/funeral
differ from those in the Christian tradition?
• Why might the contemplation of death in the Tibetan
tradition be encouraged?
• If you were to create your own Buddhist shrine,
what would you include on it and why?
• Choose a festival or special day in the Buddhist
calendar, then contact a Buddhist temple/centre in your
area and find out what they're doing to celebrate the
occasion. |
Below
are links to the online resources and supplementary material.
There is a wealth of crossed referenced material to browse
through on BuddhaNet itself. It is suggested that you use
either BuddhaNet's internal search
engine or the sitemap
where there are menus or sub-directories with a description
of the content of each section.
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