CRAFTS FOR GRADE 3
LESSON 7
BUDDHA AND THE WAY TO TRUE HAPPINESS
Zen Garden To Assemble
To Create a Zen Garden you will need
- A rake AKA plastic fork to make designs in sand.
- Small container
- Sand
- Small stones and embellishments
Based on Tripitaka
Tripitaka Treasure Hunt
The Tripitaka Treasure Hunt is an interactive activity where kids search for hidden clues that lead them to a final prize. Each clue represents a key aspect of Buddha’s life or teachings.
Setup
- Materials Needed:
- Printed clue cards
- Small treasure boxes or envelopes to hold the clues
- Simple prizes (e.g., small toys, bookmarks, or “Tripitaka” booklets)
- Markers, stickers, or stamps to mark completed clues
- A final “treasure” or prize (like a decorated box with the word “Enlightenment” or something meaningful to the theme)
Themed Locations & Clues
- Clue 1: The Palace
- Location: Start in a designated area that represents the royal palace (could be a decorated corner of the room or yard).
- Clue: “In a place of luxury, a young prince wonders about the world outside. Find where you might look out to see beyond the walls.”
- Solution: Kids search near a window or a decorated area resembling a “palace” window. They find the next clue hidden there.
- Clue 2: The Four Sights
- Location: Near an outdoor area or a part of the room decorated with pictures or symbols representing the Four Sights (old age, sickness, death, and a monk).
- Clue: “The prince saw four things that changed his life. Look where you might find pictures of people who have lived long lives or faced challenges.”
- Solution: The next clue is hidden under or behind an image representing one of the Four Sights.
- Clue 3: The Bodhi Tree
- Location: A tree outside or a tree-like decoration in the room.
- Clue: “Under a tree, wisdom was found. Seek the place where leaves grow on branches and you’ll find the next clue.”
- Solution: The clue is hidden under a tree or within a crafted “Bodhi Tree” made of paper leaves.
- Clue 4: The Middle Way
- Location: A balanced scale or an area with two contrasting items (e.g., a soft pillow and a hard rock).
- Clue: “The middle path is best, not too much, not too little. Find the balance to uncover what’s hidden in the middle.”
- Solution: The clue is placed between two items representing extremes or on a simple balance scale.
- Clue 5: The Traveling Teacher
- Location: An area with footprints leading to different spots (use paper footprints on the ground).
- Clue: “For many years, wisdom was shared. Follow the steps where the teacher might have walked.”
- Solution: Kids follow the trail of footprints to find the next clue at the end of the path.
- Clue 6: The Tripitaka
- Location: A bookshelf or a spot with books.
- Clue: “Knowledge was written and kept safe in three baskets. Look where you’d find books or scrolls stacked together.”
- Solution: The final clue is hidden among books or in a small basket.
Final Prize
- Location: The final clue leads to a special spot where the “treasure” is hidden, such as a decorated box or chest.
- Clue: “You’ve walked the path, now wisdom you’ve found. Look where the knowledge is hidden underground.”
- Solution: The treasure box is found in a low spot or hidden under something. Inside the box, kids find their prize (e.g., small tokens, “Tripitaka” booklets they can decorate, or a simple certificate of “Enlightenment”).
Craft Component
After the treasure hunt, create a “Tripitaka” booklet. Decorate the cover, draw pictures related to the clues they found, or write down what they learned from the treasure hunt.
Siddhartha’s Footprints
Lay out footprints in a sequence that tells the story of Buddha’s life. Kids can then walk along the path, discussing the significance of each step. Create paper footprints that kids can decorate with symbols or words that represent Buddha’s journey, such as “compassion,” “wisdom,” or “enlightenment.”
- Mindfulness Mandalas
- Lotus Flower
- Virtue Bracelet
- Mindful Breathing
- Wisdom Wheel
- Lantern
Use a mandala templates to color in. Mandalas are often used in meditation and can be a relaxing and mindful activity.
Mandalas represent the universe and are used to focus the mind. Focus on their breathing and coloring, promoting mindfulness.
The lotus flower is a significant symbol in Buddhism, representing purity and enlightenment.
Create a lotus flowers using paper, tissue paper, or even cupcake liners. After making the flowers, discuss the symbolism of the lotus flower growing in muddy water but emerging clean and beautiful, much like how one can rise above challenges in life.
Make bracelets using beads that represent the Buddhist virtues or the Noble Eightfold Path. Each bead can symbolize something different, like wisdom, ethical conduct, or concentration. As they string the beads, explain the meaning behind each virtue or step, turning the craft into a learning moment about Buddhist teachings.
Decorate a feather using markers, glitter, or paint. This feather will be used in a breathing exercise to help practice mindfulness. hold the decorated feather near your nose, as you practice slow, deep breaths see how gently you can make the feather move. This activity teaches the importance of mindful breathing and calmness.
Buddha’s Wisdom Wheel
Create a simple “Dharma wheel” using paper plates and craft sticks. Decorate the spokes with images or words representing Buddha’s teachings, such as mindfulness, right action, or kindness. The wheel can be spun to discuss a different teaching each day, helping internalize the principles in a fun and interactive way.
Enlightenment Lanterns
Make lanterns using construction paper, scissors, and markers. Decorate the lanterns with symbols of enlightenment, like the Bodhi Tree or the lotus flower. Lanterns can be lit (using battery-operated tea lights) to represent the light of knowledge and enlightenment that Buddha found under the Bodhi Tree. Discuss the concept of bringing light into the world through kindness and wisdom.
Make A Bodhi tree
Prayer Flags
Thank you to Jaleh for sending this craft. The children coloured in prayer flags for their activity. Hope you can all make your own. Below is a video of Tibetan and Nepalese “Prayer Flags” Explained | Trek Tips
Australian Peace Pack
Balance Scale Experiment: Science Experiment
Create a simple balance scale using a coat hanger, string, and small containers (like paper cups). Place different objects in each container to see how the scale tips. Use this experiment to demonstrate the concept of the Middle Way, showing that too much or too little of something can tip the balance, and finding balance is key.