The Tripitaka: famous Buddhist scriptures and movable metal type
Investigations and activities
SOSE/HSIE
Go to Koreana vol 14, no 1, Spring 2000, p 18 to read about the Tripitaka, and Koreana vol 19, no 1, Spring 2005, p 61 to read about moveable type (available at http://www.koreana.or.kr > Back Issues).
Buddhism was introduced to Korea in AD 372. Shamanism, Confucianism and Christianity are other religions that have also had a major influence on Korea. Investigate the main teachings of these four religions. Divide the class into groups to find out the main beliefs of these four major religions represented in Korea.
Create a timeline to represent the point in history when each religion began its influence on Korea. What kind of impact has each of these religions had on the Korean people?
Brainstorm what you already know about the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and World Heritage Listing. Find out what UNESCO stood for when it was established, by visiting http://whc.unesco.org/en/about. Does UNESCO have a real role and influence in the world? Debate this question in groups and provide evidence for your claims.
Find out how a site is granted World Heritage Listing and what this means.
Research and identify World Heritage Listed sites in Australia or in other parts of Asia and the wider world. For more information go to http://whc.unesco.org/en/list.
When you first looked at this image, what did you think these wooden blocks were? Why do you think they are so highly valued today?
When the Tripitaka was being crafted, the King was hiding from Mongol invaders. Find out why the Mongol people invaded Korea from the north in the 1200s. Who were they?
Find out why Chinese characters were used to write the Tripitaka Goryeo.
What is the name of the script (character) used now in Korea? King Sejong was the ruler who ordered the invention of the script. When was he in power and why did he want Korean people to have their own language?
Find some examples of the Korean script and have some fun copying it out and writing your name using the script.
Imagine you are writing a column in a magazine that educates Australians about cultural treasures in Korea and Australia. This is the first column you are writing. Define the idea of a cultural treasure. Identify some Australian and Korean cultural treasures. Do we value similar things? Write a descriptive account of an Australian or Korean cultural treasure.
