Sacred Threads

			The Sacred Threads

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Author: Jeff Liebmann

Publisher: Jeff Liebmann (with a portion of proceeds going to the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh)

Publisher's Address: 2316 Forest Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Date Pub: 1996

Theme: Asian Religions

Description: Sacred Threads helps youth identify unique elements of modern Asian religions and recognize characteristics that these religions share with each other and with Unitarian Universalism. It helps youth explore how attributes of these other religions have relevance to their own spiritual journeys. Sacred Threads also helps youth understand the nature of religion in human society, both as it influences their own lives as well as the relations among communities and nations. Students first identify basic characteristics common to religions of primitive cultures and the nature of thinking that generally leads people to establish religions. Students then discuss the religions of India(Hinduism, Hinayana Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism), the religions of China (Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Folk Religions), and the religions of Japan (Shintoism and Zen).

Age Range: High School (9th to 12th grades)

Ideal Size of Group: >5

Number of Sessions: 20

Length of Sessions: 60-75 minutes

UU Values Included: Sacred Threads facilitates students' understanding of what it means to be religious, particularly in Eastern cultures, including:-- paths Asian religions use toward understanding and/or becoming one with their "God";-- how Asian religions view the characteristics of human existence in the greater scheme of the cosmos; and-- how Asian religions answer speculative issues, such as our purpose in life.

Phone Number of Copyright Holder: (412) 624-4226 (day), (412) 371-3232(night)
URL: http://www.pitt.edu/~jdl1/UUcurric.htm