24. Stupas and Buddhist Monuments

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Learn about major stupas in Nepal
• Understand stupa architecture
• Know about Buddhist monuments
• Appreciate Buddhist art and symbols

60 minutes

• Paper
• Colored pencils
• Regular pencils
• Notebooks

1. Review (5 minutes)

• Quick recap of Durbar Squares
• Connect to Buddhist temples
• Discuss what students know about stupas

2. Major Stupas (15 minutes)

Discuss and draw:

• Boudhanath Stupa
• Largest stupa
• All-seeing eyes
• White dome
• Prayer flags
• Prayer wheels
• Swayambhunath Stupa
• On hilltop
• Monkey temple
• Golden spire
• Prayer flags
• Surrounding shrines

3. Stupa Features (15 minutes)

Discuss and illustrate:

• Parts of a Stupa
• Base
• Dome
• Harmika
• Spire
• Buddha eyes
• Common Elements
• Prayer wheels
• Butter lamps
• Prayer flags
• Pilgrims path
• Surrounding walls

4. Drawing Activity (15 minutes)

Students draw:

• Simple stupa shape
• Buddha eyes
• Prayer flags
• Prayer wheels
• Pilgrims walking

5. Closing Activity (10 minutes)

• Students write about stupas
• Share what interested them
• Compare with monuments they know
• Preview of next week's topic

• Stupa (स्तूप - Stupa)
• Prayer wheel (मानी - Mani)
• Prayer flag (दर्चोक - Darchok)
• Pilgrim (तीर्थयात्री - Tirthayatri)
• Peace (शान्ति - Shanti)

1. Draw a complete stupa

2. Write about stupa features

3. Draw prayer flags and wheels

Check students':

• Understanding of stupa parts
• Knowledge of Buddhist symbols
• Drawing skills
• Class participation

• Keep religious aspects simple
• Focus on architecture
• Explain symbols clearly
• Make cultural connections
• Respect religious aspects
• Emphasize peace messages

• Stupas contain relics
• People walk clockwise
• Prayer wheels have mantras
• Eyes see all directions
• World's largest stupas

• Draw simple shapes first
• Build features gradually
• Show clear symbols
• Connect to peace themes
• Keep terms simple
• Make learning fun