Mandala+of+the+Larger+Amida+Sutra

=**Title: Mandala of the Amida Sutra**=

**Status: NOT YET MODERATED**

Objective:

 * After this lesson, the student will know one portion of the Mandala

Materials:

 * Pictures of Amida Sutra Mandalas from the internet
 * Large (3x3 feet) pieces of paper (depending on class size you might need 2x sheets)
 * Color markers or other drawing pens
 * Copies of Larger Amida Sutra

Preparation:

 * Make copies of the Larger Amida Sutra
 * Prepare drawing/writing materials

Method:

 * 1) Opening Gassho
 * 2) Introduction
 * 3) Early Mahayana and Pure Land monks often made illustrations of the sutras to assist monks in visualizing. In fact, this was consider (after copying the texts themselves) a very meritorious practice.
 * 4) Today, we will also create a visualization or a Mandala
 * 5) Sometimes, mandalas were done on paper, other times, on walls, sometimes in sand to symbolize the neverending change.
 * 6) Mandalas were geometric and were tools to help memorize/visualize the Sutra
 * 7) Mandala
 * 8) Have the students decide which section to illustrate
 * 9) Have the students choose the overall designer
 * 10) Divide the sheet to geometric portions (squares, rings, triangles) depending on the section
 * 11) Have the students decide who is working on which section and the overall design for each section.
 * 12) Design in pencil
 * 13) Color parts
 * 14) Start and close the work session with Gassho.
 * 15) When completed, all students should sign the back.
 * 16) Discuss how it felt, what was memorable
 * 17) Closing Gassho

Evaluation:

 * Discussion

Note:
The completed mandala can be: This lesson most likely will be multiple sessions.
 * Framed & presented to the Temple.
 * Shredded and burned as a lesson in impermanence.

Author:
Mas Nishimura, nish221.at.gmail.dot.com, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 2015 ||