Student Web Activity Lesson Plans

Chapter 1: The First Civilizations and Empires

Buddhism

Introduction
Within a few centuries after the death of the Buddha, the study and practice of Buddhism had spread throughout Asia. Today Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world. By examining developments among the small community of Buddhists soon after the Buddha’s death, students can learn how Buddhism spread and changed.

Lesson Description
Students will explore a Web site about the history and spread of Buddhism in Asia. They will read the information and answer four questions about what they have read. They will then make a list of ten facts about Buddhism and its history, and identify three of those facts that help explain the spread of Buddhism.

Instructional Objectives

The learner will be able to describe the history and spread of Buddhism throughout Asia.

The learner will be able to analyze facts that support the spread of Buddhism.

Student Web Activity Answers

Several hundred monks met and debated the details of the Buddha’s teachings and then voted on final versions. These versions were then committed to memory by other monks and translated into the many languages of the Indian plains.

Buddhism remained an oral tradition for more than 200 years after the Buddha’s death, and some of his teachings were not written down until 500 years after his death.

Ashoka erected thousands of rock pillars bearing the words of the Buddha. He also sent missionaries all over India and as far as Egypt, Palestine, and Greece to spread the message of Buddhism.

Sutras are Buddhist scriptures, often attributed to the Buddha himself.

Students' lists should include facts that have been mentioned in the chapter or on the Web site.