This week, I’ll be discussing a subject which has been of great interest to me ever since I was properly introduced to it at university. The intriguing, colourful world of Buddhism fascinated me, and it was undoubtedly one of my favourite topics to study. I vividly remember being assigned my very first essay on Buddhism and massively underestimating the diversity, depth and beauty of what it all entailed. I’ve had the chance now to look back in time and realise just how much I enjoyed researching that particular essay, and how popular the subject was among the other students. The lectures on Buddhism were always packed, and we were all eager to learn more about this spiritual world and lifestyle. The reason I have the opportunity to write about it now, is due to the captivating films TrueTube has to offer on its origin, belief system and culture. Once again, the team have successfully managed to mirror the essential qualities of the subject matter through the use of engaging imagery, strong characters and relatable context.
The film from the website that particularly grasped my attention was the animation ‘The Enlightenment of the Buddha.’ There are many benefits to using cartoons when teaching. The concepts you will be trying to convey to your students are instantly entailed within the imagery of the cartoon itself, which is more engaging than a big chunk of text. This particular use of animation concentrates on how the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, discovered the path to enlightenment and became known as the Buddha. The voiceover to the film plays a vital character within the storyline: Mara, The Lord of Hell speaks with Siddhartha Gautama as he meditates, trying to tempt him away from the right path. Through these words, and the diverse imagery, the voiceover tells the story of the Buddha, stressing the key points to the story. By the end of the film, your students will know how Siddhartha Gautama was, what he was trying to achieve, and a detailed account of how he achieved it. By presenting the foundation of Buddhism in the form of a vibrant cartoon, you’re giving your students the chance to truly engage and enjoy this complex part of their religious education. This is only one resource out of a wide range that TrueTube has to offer on Buddhism, all of which possess their own unique angle and creativity. You’ll see from the link below, how a mix of colour, entertainment and religious facts can be a valuable combination to use in the classroom, and one you won’t forget.
The film from the website that particularly grasped my attention was the animation ‘The Enlightenment of the Buddha.’ There are many benefits to using cartoons when teaching. The concepts you will be trying to convey to your students are instantly entailed within the imagery of the cartoon itself, which is more engaging than a big chunk of text. This particular use of animation concentrates on how the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, discovered the path to enlightenment and became known as the Buddha. The voiceover to the film plays a vital character within the storyline: Mara, The Lord of Hell speaks with Siddhartha Gautama as he meditates, trying to tempt him away from the right path. Through these words, and the diverse imagery, the voiceover tells the story of the Buddha, stressing the key points to the story. By the end of the film, your students will know how Siddhartha Gautama was, what he was trying to achieve, and a detailed account of how he achieved it. By presenting the foundation of Buddhism in the form of a vibrant cartoon, you’re giving your students the chance to truly engage and enjoy this complex part of their religious education. This is only one resource out of a wide range that TrueTube has to offer on Buddhism, all of which possess their own unique angle and creativity. You’ll see from the link below, how a mix of colour, entertainment and religious facts can be a valuable combination to use in the classroom, and one you won’t forget.