INTRODUCTION TO DHARMA SCHOOL

Dharma School at the Dharma Rain Zen Center is for children interested in Buddhism, or coming from Buddhist homes.  It is open for ages 3-18 and meets biweekly (every other Sunday) from September to June.  Participants are divided into five groups: pre-school, grade school girls, grade school boys, middle school and high school.

Besides the biweekly class, other Dharma School activities include “Mandala on the Mountain,” a week-long summer camp for youth 9-18 years old that combines traditional camp activities with Buddhist teachings and practice; picnics and family days; participation in Sangha activities; performances for the Sangha; service projects; and monthly overnights for both the high school and middle school groups.

Gyokuko Carlson founded and oversees this program.  She is the director and co-abbot of Dharma Rain Zen Center and has been teaching Zen for over 20 years.  Class teachers are active members of the Dharma Rain Sangha who bring their personal experience of practice and appreciation of children’s development to their lessons and classes.  Although Dharma School is a program of Dharma Rain Zen Center and the teachers are all involved in Zen practice, we strive for a non-sectarian atmosphere and curriculum, as children from numerous other Buddhist traditions regularly attend.  Parents are an important part of the program, but act in supportive roles rather than through direct contact with children.  This provides alternative role models for the children, and fosters parental involvement with the adult sangha.

We have been running this program since 1986 or thereabouts.  We have made some mistakes and learned quite a few things on the way.  The program seems to be helping the kids, because they keep coming back for more and asking for what they need.  Overall, we are very happy with the program.  If you would like more information about Dharma School please contact the Zen Center at 503-239-4846, or you can email Staff@Dharma-Rain.org.


Table of Contents for Page:

Ø      Ø      Introduction

o       o       Philosophy

o       o       Schedule

o       o       Calendar

o       o       Location

Ø      Ø      Classes

o       o       Preschool

o       o       Boys

o       o       Girls

o       o       Middle school

o       o       High school

Ø      Ø      Explanation and Description

o       o       Teachers

o       o       Sangha Relations

o       o       Parental Involvement

o       o       Curriculum

o       o       Ceremonies

o       o       Overnights

o       o       Songs

Ø      Ø      Eligibility

o       o       Registration

           

PHILOSOPHY

The goals of Dharma School are to provide each child with the following:

Much of the teaching comes from the culture created around the program, rather than from actual lesson plans. Cultivating friendliness, acceptance, cooperation and listening is a practice for the teachers.   If the teachers are actualizing these ideals it is a more potent reminder than any verbal expression of Dharma.  One of the most important elements in teaching compassion and generosity is to make the children feel safe and well cared for.  For example, when anyone does metta practice, the instruction is to find a safe, comfortable, supported space.  This is what we must provide and protect for the children in order for them to be able to take it to the next stage and care for others.  Singing, smiling and sharing food are some of the covert ways we do this teaching.

SCHEDULE

 Daily Schedule:

 8:30-10:00 Childcare available

10:00-10:30 Music

10:30-10:45 Age appropriate meditation

10:45-11:30 Lesson/program by age group

11:30-11:45 Snack, free time until picked up by parents

This schedule allows parents to join us for music and to then attend the Dharma Talk in the Zendo.  Or, if parents wish, they may drop children off at 8:30 so they may join the adult Sangha for the full morning program, including meditation and service.

Childcare is not part of Dharma School per se.  There are no groups or activities, but a dharma school teacher is available to spend time with any children that are dropped off early.  Sometimes we play games, or talk, or have a nap, it depends on how many children show up.

The music is done with everyone sitting on the floor in a big circle not far from the door where everyone comes in, so we can easily draw in latecomers.  We sing a variety of songs, mostly dharmically themed, some traditional children’s songs.  Guitar accompaniment helps carry the tune and directs the energy level.   We try to make sure that we break by 10:25 so that those parents who have stayed for the singing part have time to go to the Zendo building (across the street) for the Dharma Talk at 10:40. 

Click here for a larger imageClick here for a larger image

After singing, it is time for meditation.  Each group meditates in an age-appropriate way, see Classes for more description of the meditation formats.  Instruction is offered to new students.

After meditation, the children turn to their particular group’s lesson or activity for the day.  At this time, each group is meeting separately.  See Classes for more information on what this time consists of.  A couple of times each term we have a ceremony or festival day of some sort, when all the kids meet together.

Just before the end of the program the children get a snack, which one of the parents has donated.  And finally, the gentle, serene atmosphere morphs into a wild ruckus until parents pick up their children.

CALENDAR:

For 2004-2005 Year

 

Sunday, September 26 th First Dharma School -- 10:00 am at the Dharma House, 2539 SE Madison. High Schoolers will meet at the Sangha House, 1336 SE 20th, about 5 blocks away. If you want to bring friends, bring them this time or on the 10th, after that registration is closed for fall term.

 

Saturday, October 9th, Middle & High School Overnight -- Unless otherwise noted, all overnights begin at 5:30 pm, cost $5, include dinner, and are held at the Zendo building (25th and Madison) for the Middle Schoolers, and at the Sangha House (20th and Madison) for the High Schoolers.

Sunday, October 10th Dharma School (at Dharma House)

 

Sunday, October 24th Dharma School -- Segaki. This is the festival of feeding the hungry ghosts. We will meet at the Dharma House at 10, and then go to the Zendo to celebrate with the adults on Segaki Sesshin. High schoolers should arrive early. All are also welcome to come to the Segaki Toro ceremony at 8:30 PM at the Dharma House.

 

Sunday, October 31 st Happy Halloween, come trick or treat if you dare…

 

Sunday, November 7 th Dharma School

 

Saturday, November 20 th Middle & High School Overnight, 5:30 in evening.

Sunday, November 21st Dharma School

 

Sunday, December 5th Dharma School

 

Saturday, December 18 th Middle & High School Overnight

Sunday, December 19th Children’s Rohatsu. This is the “Questioning the Teacher Ceremony.”

 

Sunday, January 2 nd Dharma School.

 

Saturday, January 15 th High & Middle School Overnight

Sunday, January 16 th Dharma School Notice – we skip a Dharma School because of term closing this year, so the next meeting is three weeks away.

 

Saturday, February 12 th High & Middle School Overnight

Sunday, February 13 th Dharma School -- Children’s Nehan Ceremony, honoring the anniversary of Buddha’s passing into Parinirvanna. Again, registration is open for new students for this class and the next.

 

Sunday, February 27 th Dharma School

 

Saturday, March 12 th High & Middle School Overnight

Sunday, March 13 th Dharma School -- Children’s Jukai, an chance to Take the Three Refuges and Two Promises for the next year.

 

Sunday, March 27 th Dharma School -- Egg hunt and other Springtime festivities. All Dharma Schoolers meet at Dharma House.

 

Saturday, April 9 th High School Overnight 5:30pm at Sangha House 5th Annual Middle School Campout meets at 9:30am at Dharma House

Sunday, April 10 th Dharma School

 

Sunday, April 24 th Dharma School

 

Sunday, May 8 th Dharma School -- Wesak Festival, celebrating the Buddha’s Birthday, and Mother’s Day. Ceremony begins at 10:00 at the Zendo building, please bring flowers for decorating the BuddhaBower™ at 9:30. Notice – The next Dharma School is next week, rather than two weeks away.

 

Sunday, May 15th Dharma School

 

Saturday, May 28th High & Middle School Overnight

Sunday, May 29 th Dharma School Skits and Term Closing, bring family to show what we have been doing all year.

 

Saturday, June 18th Boy’s Outing – male Dharma Schoolers from all age groups, parents invited also, more details TBA.

 

August 14th-20th, 2005 Mandala on the Mountain Dharma Camp, ages 9-18.

LOCATION: 

The Dharma School program meets at the Dharma House, at 2539 SE Madison, one block north of SE Hawthorne, on the corner of 26th and Madison.  This is across the street from the Zendo, or Portland Dharma Center, which is a big yellow building on the corner, at 2514 SE Madison.  The high school group meets at the Sangha House, five blocks down the street, at 1336 SE 20th (corner of 20th and Madison, up on a hill).  If coming by car, please use the free parking lots on both sides of Hawthorne, rather than parking on neighborhood streets; for more information, click here.