Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete understanding of the culture, lives, and diverse perspectives of people who are followers of Buddhism. It helps students go beyond simply memorizing facts about a religion to acquire a more substantial view of the religion and its followers. In this activity, students will create a biography poster for one person relating to Buddhism. Teachers can assign students a specific person or they may give students a choice.
These posters can be printed out, laminated, and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of Buddhism. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person, thus combining research, writing and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
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Due Date:
Objective: Research a person past or present related to Buddhism. Create a poster that includes important details and engaging imagery.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, major accomplishments and images to enhance the poster.
Encourage student engagement by organizing a classroom discussion about the diverse figures students research. This helps students connect personally with the material and learn from each other's insights.
Develop thought-provoking questions such as “How did this person impact Buddhism?” to foster critical thinking and encourage students to go beyond surface-level facts.
Demonstrate how to actively listen and respond courteously to classmates’ presentations. This builds a supportive classroom environment and improves communication skills.
Guide students to compare and contrast ancient and contemporary Buddhist leaders, helping them see continuity and change in beliefs and practices.
Invite students to share what surprised or inspired them about the figures studied. This step fosters personal relevance and deeper understanding.
Key figures in Buddhism for student research include King Ashoka, the Buddha, the Dalai Lama, Caroline Augusta Foley Rhys Davids, and Thich Nhat Hanh. These individuals have made significant contributions to Buddhist history and culture.
Encourage students to research a Buddhist leader using school resources, organize facts with a graphic organizer, and include the person's name, birth/death dates, major accomplishments, and meaningful images on the poster. Visuals and sequencing make the poster engaging and informative.
A Buddhism biography poster should include the person's image, name, dates of birth and (if applicable) death, major accomplishments, and images or scenes that illustrate important moments in their life.
Researching real people in Buddhism helps students gain a deeper, more concrete understanding of Buddhist culture, perspectives, and history, moving beyond memorization to meaningful learning.
Teachers can find biography poster templates on educational resource websites or by searching for printable templates online, making it easier to structure engaging assignments about figures in Buddhism.