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BOOKS IN BRIEF | EASTERN HORIZON
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BOOK REVIEW BY VIJAYA SAMARAWICKRAMA
Sumi Loundon, Sitting Together: A Family-centered Curriculum on Mindfulness
Meditation and Buddhist Teachings. 3 volumes: Adult Study guide, Children’s lesson
plans, Activity Book. Boston: Wisdom, USA. 2017. www.wisdompubs.org
For centuries in Asia the process of transmitting the Dharma-vinaya was largely
structured along traditional lines in neighborhood temples while what was
learned there was reinforced informally by parents and extended family members
through cultural immersion. Thus, children ‘grew into’ the framework of Buddhist
practice naturally. Over the last half century or so, however, Buddhism has spread
worldwide and societies have changed drastically with education becoming far
more formal with the task of providing a ‘Buddhist education’ being entrusted to
trained educationists or volunteers.
This has necessitated the introduction of syllabuses and curricula to conform
with the latest practices in education. “Sunday schools” require teachers to be
proficient in the trappings of modern pedagogy such as classroom management,
child psychology, curriculum planning, testing and so on. The task has proved to be
formidable and fraught with seemingly unsurmountable challenges – catering for
different age groups, providing instruction once a week, dependence on unpaid,
untrained volunteers, little follow-up at home etc.
Thankfully, Sumi Loundon Kim has come up with Sitting together: a family-centered
curriculum on mindfulness, meditation and Buddhist teachings which take these
challenges into account and provide a workable solution. This three volume
set provides a complete curriculum for adults and children to learn meditation
mindfulness together with facets of the Buddha’s teachings. It is designed to be
used by both adults and children in Buddhist centres as well as at home.
The author includes a very useful introduction which not only spells out the
challenges to modern Buddhist education but also provides extremely clear step-
by -step instructions which can easily be followed by anyone even without formal
training in pedagogy. Aimed at learners between the ages of 3-12, it covers five
units on meditation, kindness, ethics, character and service. It is worth noting
also that these instructions are not confined to any one particular Buddhist school
of thought as they intentionally cover only the foundational aspects of Buddhist
doctrine and practice which are common to all Buddhists. Teachers and parents will
find a wealth of new ideas to get children engaged in Buddhist practice through a
variety of activities aimed at creating mindfulness and practicing meditation using
modern techniques. EH