Rituals in Nature
Rebecca Lindblade
Email: [email protected]
Date: 8/6/2013
Grade Level: 7th grade
Time: 90 minutes
Lesson Overview: The students will learn about Tibetan Buddhist monks and the process of their sand mandalas. The students will watch videos on the process of sand mandalas and discuss the meaning of this ritual. The students will then create nature prints creating their own mandalas. Rituals happen in and out of nature as a type of process over time. The Tibetan Buddhist monks show this change and “impermanence” in nature within their sand mandalas. Students see rituals like this in their daily life within their own routine and within nature. Students will create their own mandalas to reflect on these rituals/routines
Visual Culture Component: Students are shown the process of sand mandalas. The process involves rituals and certain routines within those rituals to create these mandalas. They will see the importance of location. Students are shown the use of positive and negative space and the use of balance within the examples of mandalas to create within their own mandalas.
South Carolina Standards of Learning:
VA7-1.3 Select and apply the most effective materials, techniques, and processes to communicate his or her experiences and ideas through the artworks.
VA7-3.2 Select and use subject matter, symbols, ideas, and the elements and principles of design to communicate meaning through his or her art making.
VA7-3.4 Compare and contrast his or her works of visual art with those of an established artist.
VA7-4.1 Identify artworks from various cultures and recognize ways in which those works were influenced by man-made and natural factors.
Lesson Objectives:
The student will:
· Identify the process of the Tibetan Buddhist monk sand mandalas through discussion and videos
· Apply the knowledge they have gained to create their own mandala through a nature print
· Demonstrate an understanding of the process of nature prints
Vocabulary Words:
· Ritual- a type of ceremony consisting of a series of actions
· Routine- series of actions that follow a regular procedure
· Mandala- geometric form that is used within Tibetan Buddhism culture to reference to the cycle of the universe, a meditation process
· Nature print- a type of print that uses materials in nature, such as leaves and rocks, to create produce an image
· Impermanence- not existing through long periods of time
· Composition- pieces coming together to create a whole
· Positive/Negative space- the contrast between the object and the background
· Balance: Symmetrical- equal “weight” on both sides of the piece
Asymmetrical- uneven weight within the piece
Radial- elements are “radiating” from the center of the piece
Historical/Cultural Information:
· Tibetan Buddhism is based on steps to take to lead to reincarnation/enlightenment (enlightenment is the act of reaching spiritual knowledge)
· Buddhists monks use sand mandalas as a tool to gain: wisdom and compassion.
· Mandalas are where deities reside which is why they are enclosed geometric shapes (deities are gods within the Buddhist culture)
· Mandalas are a tool for individuals to follow along the path of enlightenment
· The purpose of these mandalas are for individuals to transform their ordinary minds into enlightened ones
· The process is to effect purification and healing.
· To show the impermanence of nature and existence the monks pour the finished mandala in a body of water
· Prior to the mandala making, the monks perform songs, throat singing, and do their own version of “blessing” the location they are in.
· Throat singing also happens as a closing ritual to the making of the mandala.
Image description:
Tibetan Healing Mandala
This site is great for pictures of the process of the sand mandalas. It also has a page of frequently asked questions and answers to support your lesson.
Images that are useful to show to your students are:
Monks working on the mandala at the Sackler gallery (2002)
The completed mandala, January 27, 2002 (2002)
The Mystical Arts of Tibet
this is another site that has great images of past mandalas and has images on the process in a procedural template. This also shows great examples of balance and how mandalas don't have to be in a circle format
Examples to use:
Amitayus Mandala
Medicine Buddha Mandala
Questioning Strategies:
Leading Response Questions:
· What is a ritual?
· What is a routine? And do you see routines within your daily life?
· What does it mean when I say there is an impermanence of nature and existence?
Information Process Questions:
· How do monks use ritual within their mandalas?
· What other materials could they use instead of sand?
· Do you see the use of balance within their mandalas?
· Are these mandalas an example of a routine or ritual within Buddhist religion?
· Do you see more impermanence within your life or in nature?
Productive Questions:
· How do nature prints show the impermanence of nature?
· How does this relate to a routine/ritual?
· What materials show more impermanence than others?
· What ideas will you take from the sand mandalas to create your own?
Lesson Procedure:
1. As students enter the classroom they will take out a notebook to answer the essential question for the day’s lesson that is placed on the board:
What is a ritual?
2. After students are given 5 minutes to answer the essential question. The teacher will begin a discussion starting with asking the essential question to the class and students will volunteer or be called upon to give their answer. Questions to include within this discussion activity are:
· What do you consider a ritual?
· Is a ritual similar to a routine?
· Do you see rituals/routine in your daily life? If so, what are some examples?
· What does impermanence mean and how does it deal with nature and existence?
· Have you seen an example of impermanence? What did it look like?
3. The teacher will then lead the class into Tibetan monk sand mandalas using visuals within a power point format. The teacher will talk about the process and meaning behind the sand mandalas (15 minutes including short video).
4. Using helpful links within the lesson, the teacher will show a video of the process of the monks and sand mandala to the classroom.
5. During/after watching the video, the teacher will lead another discussion for about 10 minutes about the process of the sand mandalas by asking questions such as:
· How do the monks show ritual within the sand mandala?
· What other materials could they use other than sand?
· Are these mandalas an example of routine or ritual in the Tibetan Buddhist religion?
· Do you understand the meaning behind the sand mandala?
· How does this show impermanence within nature and existence?
6. Explain to the class how they are creating their own mandalas through nature-sun printing using materials in nature using visuals. Make sure the students are aware of the process prior to beginning the activity (5 minutes).
· Find materials within nature you want to use.
· Using a piece of cardboard, place the sun print paper on top and lay items on top of it (demonstrate to students how to lay and overlap these items).
· Use a clear acrylic-pressing sheet to hold down items while it is outside.
· Let paper sit outside for 10 to 20 minutes (depending on the clouds).
· Have flat buckets of water sitting out for the paper after bringing it inside and lay it in water for 2-5 minutes.
· Give paper time to dry before matting.
7. Pass out materials to students; each student gets a 6”x6” sun print paper and teach table gets a bowl full of materials found outside (5 minutes).
8. The students will then bring the mandala outside with the acrylic pressing paper on top of the cardboard and paper and come back inside to get their buckets ready.
9. While waiting for the mandalas for 10 to 15 minutes, the students will begin their evaluation writing on their mandala and get buckets ready and newspaper on tables
10. The students will go and bring their nature prints back inside and uncover the paper. They will then lightly place their paper into to the water for 2 to 5 minutes.
11. Once this time is up, students will take the paper out and place it on the newspaper to let it dry.
12.While paper is drying, students will finish their evaluation and clean up the classroom putting their prints on the drying rack (10 minutes).
13. Take 10 minutes at the end of class to give a chance to review the lesson and preview the next lesson:
· How is the process of the sand mandalas and the nature prints similar?
· How do these processes differ?
· Does anyone want to share a fact that they found interesting from today’s lesson?
· Lead into a short description of how next class they will be looking into how an artist creates his own mandalas in nature using a different, but similar process as the monks.
Evaluation: To evaluate the students on the lesson, Students will write a paragraph on why they chose the materials they did and how their own mandala represents the impermanence of nature and existence. They will compare and contrast their own process with the Tibetan monk process. At the bottom of this paper, they will write one fact they have learned in today’s lesson.
Materials and Preparation:
· 6”x6” sun print paper (cut prior to class)
· Bowl of plants, grass, flowers, etc. for each table
· Buckets for water print step (do not place on tables with water until the nature print step)
· Scrap pieces of cardboard for students to put their sun print on prior to going outside
· Newspaper for students to place nature print on
· Drying rack cleared for new project
· Power point of visuals
· Video loaded and ready to present to class during lesson
· Have acrylic pressing sheets ready for students to use
Resources:
**Refer back to image descriptions for websites to find mandalas and process photos**
Time Lapse Making of a Mandala: The Crow Collection of Asian Art
(6:38 minute video on the sand mandala process)
Construction and Deconstruction of a Mandala
(4:46 minute video on the setting up/taking down of sand mandala)
Extra materials:
**Students will need a sheet of paper and pencil at the end to write their evaluation**
Email: [email protected]
Date: 8/6/2013
Grade Level: 7th grade
Time: 90 minutes
Lesson Overview: The students will learn about Tibetan Buddhist monks and the process of their sand mandalas. The students will watch videos on the process of sand mandalas and discuss the meaning of this ritual. The students will then create nature prints creating their own mandalas. Rituals happen in and out of nature as a type of process over time. The Tibetan Buddhist monks show this change and “impermanence” in nature within their sand mandalas. Students see rituals like this in their daily life within their own routine and within nature. Students will create their own mandalas to reflect on these rituals/routines
Visual Culture Component: Students are shown the process of sand mandalas. The process involves rituals and certain routines within those rituals to create these mandalas. They will see the importance of location. Students are shown the use of positive and negative space and the use of balance within the examples of mandalas to create within their own mandalas.
South Carolina Standards of Learning:
VA7-1.3 Select and apply the most effective materials, techniques, and processes to communicate his or her experiences and ideas through the artworks.
VA7-3.2 Select and use subject matter, symbols, ideas, and the elements and principles of design to communicate meaning through his or her art making.
VA7-3.4 Compare and contrast his or her works of visual art with those of an established artist.
VA7-4.1 Identify artworks from various cultures and recognize ways in which those works were influenced by man-made and natural factors.
Lesson Objectives:
The student will:
· Identify the process of the Tibetan Buddhist monk sand mandalas through discussion and videos
· Apply the knowledge they have gained to create their own mandala through a nature print
· Demonstrate an understanding of the process of nature prints
Vocabulary Words:
· Ritual- a type of ceremony consisting of a series of actions
· Routine- series of actions that follow a regular procedure
· Mandala- geometric form that is used within Tibetan Buddhism culture to reference to the cycle of the universe, a meditation process
· Nature print- a type of print that uses materials in nature, such as leaves and rocks, to create produce an image
· Impermanence- not existing through long periods of time
· Composition- pieces coming together to create a whole
· Positive/Negative space- the contrast between the object and the background
· Balance: Symmetrical- equal “weight” on both sides of the piece
Asymmetrical- uneven weight within the piece
Radial- elements are “radiating” from the center of the piece
Historical/Cultural Information:
· Tibetan Buddhism is based on steps to take to lead to reincarnation/enlightenment (enlightenment is the act of reaching spiritual knowledge)
· Buddhists monks use sand mandalas as a tool to gain: wisdom and compassion.
· Mandalas are where deities reside which is why they are enclosed geometric shapes (deities are gods within the Buddhist culture)
· Mandalas are a tool for individuals to follow along the path of enlightenment
· The purpose of these mandalas are for individuals to transform their ordinary minds into enlightened ones
· The process is to effect purification and healing.
· To show the impermanence of nature and existence the monks pour the finished mandala in a body of water
· Prior to the mandala making, the monks perform songs, throat singing, and do their own version of “blessing” the location they are in.
· Throat singing also happens as a closing ritual to the making of the mandala.
Image description:
Tibetan Healing Mandala
This site is great for pictures of the process of the sand mandalas. It also has a page of frequently asked questions and answers to support your lesson.
Images that are useful to show to your students are:
Monks working on the mandala at the Sackler gallery (2002)
The completed mandala, January 27, 2002 (2002)
The Mystical Arts of Tibet
this is another site that has great images of past mandalas and has images on the process in a procedural template. This also shows great examples of balance and how mandalas don't have to be in a circle format
Examples to use:
Amitayus Mandala
Medicine Buddha Mandala
Questioning Strategies:
Leading Response Questions:
· What is a ritual?
· What is a routine? And do you see routines within your daily life?
· What does it mean when I say there is an impermanence of nature and existence?
Information Process Questions:
· How do monks use ritual within their mandalas?
· What other materials could they use instead of sand?
· Do you see the use of balance within their mandalas?
· Are these mandalas an example of a routine or ritual within Buddhist religion?
· Do you see more impermanence within your life or in nature?
Productive Questions:
· How do nature prints show the impermanence of nature?
· How does this relate to a routine/ritual?
· What materials show more impermanence than others?
· What ideas will you take from the sand mandalas to create your own?
Lesson Procedure:
1. As students enter the classroom they will take out a notebook to answer the essential question for the day’s lesson that is placed on the board:
What is a ritual?
2. After students are given 5 minutes to answer the essential question. The teacher will begin a discussion starting with asking the essential question to the class and students will volunteer or be called upon to give their answer. Questions to include within this discussion activity are:
· What do you consider a ritual?
· Is a ritual similar to a routine?
· Do you see rituals/routine in your daily life? If so, what are some examples?
· What does impermanence mean and how does it deal with nature and existence?
· Have you seen an example of impermanence? What did it look like?
3. The teacher will then lead the class into Tibetan monk sand mandalas using visuals within a power point format. The teacher will talk about the process and meaning behind the sand mandalas (15 minutes including short video).
4. Using helpful links within the lesson, the teacher will show a video of the process of the monks and sand mandala to the classroom.
5. During/after watching the video, the teacher will lead another discussion for about 10 minutes about the process of the sand mandalas by asking questions such as:
· How do the monks show ritual within the sand mandala?
· What other materials could they use other than sand?
· Are these mandalas an example of routine or ritual in the Tibetan Buddhist religion?
· Do you understand the meaning behind the sand mandala?
· How does this show impermanence within nature and existence?
6. Explain to the class how they are creating their own mandalas through nature-sun printing using materials in nature using visuals. Make sure the students are aware of the process prior to beginning the activity (5 minutes).
· Find materials within nature you want to use.
· Using a piece of cardboard, place the sun print paper on top and lay items on top of it (demonstrate to students how to lay and overlap these items).
· Use a clear acrylic-pressing sheet to hold down items while it is outside.
· Let paper sit outside for 10 to 20 minutes (depending on the clouds).
· Have flat buckets of water sitting out for the paper after bringing it inside and lay it in water for 2-5 minutes.
· Give paper time to dry before matting.
7. Pass out materials to students; each student gets a 6”x6” sun print paper and teach table gets a bowl full of materials found outside (5 minutes).
8. The students will then bring the mandala outside with the acrylic pressing paper on top of the cardboard and paper and come back inside to get their buckets ready.
9. While waiting for the mandalas for 10 to 15 minutes, the students will begin their evaluation writing on their mandala and get buckets ready and newspaper on tables
10. The students will go and bring their nature prints back inside and uncover the paper. They will then lightly place their paper into to the water for 2 to 5 minutes.
11. Once this time is up, students will take the paper out and place it on the newspaper to let it dry.
12.While paper is drying, students will finish their evaluation and clean up the classroom putting their prints on the drying rack (10 minutes).
13. Take 10 minutes at the end of class to give a chance to review the lesson and preview the next lesson:
· How is the process of the sand mandalas and the nature prints similar?
· How do these processes differ?
· Does anyone want to share a fact that they found interesting from today’s lesson?
· Lead into a short description of how next class they will be looking into how an artist creates his own mandalas in nature using a different, but similar process as the monks.
Evaluation: To evaluate the students on the lesson, Students will write a paragraph on why they chose the materials they did and how their own mandala represents the impermanence of nature and existence. They will compare and contrast their own process with the Tibetan monk process. At the bottom of this paper, they will write one fact they have learned in today’s lesson.
Materials and Preparation:
· 6”x6” sun print paper (cut prior to class)
· Bowl of plants, grass, flowers, etc. for each table
· Buckets for water print step (do not place on tables with water until the nature print step)
· Scrap pieces of cardboard for students to put their sun print on prior to going outside
· Newspaper for students to place nature print on
· Drying rack cleared for new project
· Power point of visuals
· Video loaded and ready to present to class during lesson
· Have acrylic pressing sheets ready for students to use
Resources:
**Refer back to image descriptions for websites to find mandalas and process photos**
Time Lapse Making of a Mandala: The Crow Collection of Asian Art
(6:38 minute video on the sand mandala process)
Construction and Deconstruction of a Mandala
(4:46 minute video on the setting up/taking down of sand mandala)
Extra materials:
**Students will need a sheet of paper and pencil at the end to write their evaluation**