There is a great Buddhist association within walking distance of Paul (at the corner of Madison and 14th Streets) where students would be able to learn about Theravada Buddhism. I chatted with Nam, a visiting monk, who explained how the Vietnamese Buddhist Association practices traditional Buddhism from India not to be confused with a more progressive Buddhism from China.
He also mentioned that this form of Buddhism is widely followed in Southeast Asia which would mean that this would be a great field trip during that unit of study. Nam said that he would be willing to talk to students and explain how life is like as a monk.He also stated that the association is open on Saturdays for 3 hour meditations starting at 1pm...I wonder how that would work with 6th graders?
But needless to say a little primer on still versus walking meditation could be useful and a short practice could also allow students a chance to see how meditation could lead to higher levels of concentration. We would have to avoid all semblances of making like it seemed we were trying to teach students to pray and be Buddhists. At a minimum it would be interesting to try walking meditation on the way back to school.
It would be easy to pull this field trip off since it is in walking distance of Paul, no costs are attributed to visiting the association and it could be done in 1-2 hours. I think this location enables me to start to think of field trips as micro excursions as opposed to thinking that all 100 6th graders have to do the same thing all at the same time. Especially since this location is a converted house.Location:
Ki Vien Tu
1400 Madison Street NW
Washington DC, 20011
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