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Buddha triumphing over Mara, 900–1000
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An Introduction to Buddhism

Grade Level: 
Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
Resource Type: 
Background Information
Description: 

Buddhism has deeply influenced the character and evolution of Asian civilization over the past 2,500 years. It is based on the teachings of a historical figure, Siddhartha Gautama, who lived around the fifth century BCE. As it moved across Asia, Buddhism absorbed indigenous beliefs and incorporated a wide range of imagery, both local and foreign, into its art and religious practices. Buddhism continues to evolve as a religion in many parts of the world.

Tea Host Shozo Sato Prepares Tea
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Chanoyu: The Japanese Art of Tea

Grade Level: 
Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
Resource Type: 
Background Information
Description: 

The Japanese phrase Chanoyu, translated literally as “hot water for tea,” refers to the tradition of preparing and serving powdered green tea in a highly stylized manner. Learn more about this tradition.

Seated Buddha, 200–300
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How to Identify a Buddha

Grade Level: 
Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
Resource Type: 
Background Information
Description: 

The earliest surviving representations of the Buddha date from hundreds of years after his death, so they are not portraits in the usual sense. Buddha images vary greatly from place to place and period to period, but they almost always show these conventional features . . .

Map of Asia
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What is Asia?

Grade Level: 
Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
Resource Type: 
Background Information
Description: 

“Asia” is a term invented by the Greeks and Romans, and developed by Western geographers to indicate the land mass east of the Ural Mountains and Ural River, together with offshore islands such as Japan and Java.

Seated Buddha Amitabha (Japanese: Amida)
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An Introduction to Buddhism in Japan

Grade Level: 
Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
Resource Type: 
Background Information
Description: 

Buddhism was officially transmitted to Japan in 525, when the monarch of the Korean kingdom of Baekje sent a mission to Japan with gifts, including an image of the Buddha, several ritual objects, and sacred texts. Buddhism's journey from India to China, Korea, and Japan had taken about a thousand years.

The Buddha triumphing over Mara, 900–1000
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The Life of the Buddha

Grade Level: 
Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
Resource Type: 
Background Information
Description: 

The Buddha—that is, the “Enlightened One”—lived nearly 2500 years ago in northern India. His followers have always seen his life as a shining example to all, but what “really happened” is now impossible to know for certain. Even the earliest stories of his life include miraculous events that may seem hard to take literally. Later versions are even more elaborate, and they differ from one another in many details.

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