Life in a Zen (Chan) Buddhist Temple

Film Focus: George Thompson ventures into a Zen Buddhist Temple to gain a deeper understanding of what daily life is like for a Buddhist monk.

Text Focus: Pages 385–386

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the daily schedule of a Buddhist monk at this monastery.
2. What are some of the tasks that are typical for the monks? How might these tasks help them in their practice of Buddhism?
3. What are some of the eating rules at the Buddhist Temple? Why are these rules important?
4. Why is the life of the monk the same every day? Do you think this would be helpful or harmful for you? Why?
5. Was there anything that surprised you about the way that Buddhist monks live?

*Permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson has been granted by the producer.