Buddhism for children/teens

**Jishin** · 06-21-2018, 06:19 PM

Hi Kristin,

Seems to me you are doing a great job! :-)

Gassho, Jishin, ST

**Kyonin** · 06-21-2018, 10:16 PM

Hi Kristin,

I am not a father but I have a little of experience with my nephew and some other friends' kids. Teenagers sometimes are attracted to Buddhism because it's really appealing to them the way it goes "against the stream", which hits home with how young people feel the world around them.

What I have done with my 15 years old nephew is to have books around and when I go visit him we may watch a movie or a talk. However, teenagers are not very patient so I don't push Buddhism on him.

Just go at it slowly, answer questions but keep in mind that his interests may shift constantly.

At the end of the day what you want is that he knows that he can always go to Buddhism for inspiration and maybe in the future he'll consider going a little more formal with it.

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

**Ryushi** · 06-21-2018, 10:27 PM

My kids haven't shown a lot of interest in Zen, and I'm not trying to push it on them. But I'm interested in whatever resources come out of this thread so I have something at hand if they do want to know more. I'm not sure what I have in my existing library that would hold their interest. My son (13 yo) may possibly get into Brad Warner's "Don't Be A Jerk" or "Hardcore Zen".

These came up when I searched for something for teens. Anyone have experience with them?

Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens, by Diana Winston
Buddha In Your Backpack: Everyday Buddhism for Teens, by Franz Metcalf

Sat today. Gassho.

**Tairin** · 06-22-2018, 12:32 AM

You listed a couple of Steve Hagen books. I like this one “Meditation: Now or Never”. https://www.amazon.com/Meditation-No.../dp/0061143294 It is written in plain but engaging English. It isn’t overtly Buddhist or Zen but it is very clear that it is his perspective. If anyone was to ask me more about my practice that’s the book I’d loan them as a starter.

Good luck on your quest. I’ll keep an eye on this thread in case my son ever shows any interest.

Tairin
Sat today

Mp · 06-22-2018, 12:41 AM

Hello Kristin,

It sounds like you have a good handle on this. It is nice to see them coming to you for guidance.

All I can say is take it slow and make it fun for them. Learning comes in many ways as you know ... this too can be applied to understanding and practicing the path. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

**cosmiceye** · 06-22-2018, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by Jishin

Hi Kristin,

Seems to me you are doing a great job! :-)

Gassho, Jishin, ST

Thank you Jishin! Though I must admit that in all actuality I feel like I am a pretty burned out mom. I have 4 older children aged 22-31 & am now raising 4 girls aged 9-14 (one is my “step” daughter) and most days I feel like my older children got the best of me. Lol!! I was a stay at home mom when they were younger, but I now work full-time & at almost 49 am pretty tired most days and find it a challenge to be a “good” mom.

But thank-you for the encouragement!
Gassho,
Kristin
Sat2day LAH

**cosmiceye** · 06-22-2018, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by Kyonin

Hi Kristin,

I am not a father but I have a little of experience with my nephew and some other friends' kids. Teenagers sometimes are attracted to Buddhism because it's really appealing to them the way it goes "against the stream", which hits home with how young people feel the world around them.

What I have done with my 15 years old nephew is to have books around and when I go visit him we may watch a movie or a talk. However, teenagers are not very patient so I don't push Buddhism on him.

Just go at it slowly, answer questions but keep in mind that his interests may shift constantly.

At the end of the day what you want is that he knows that he can always go to Buddhism for inspiration and maybe in the future he'll consider going a little more formal with it.

Gassho,

Kyonin
Sat/LAH

Excellent advice Kyonin! Thank-you!

I fear sometimes that I am not able to answer their questions correctly. As they get older, the questions get harder. They were asking about rebirth last night & I was struggling to answer them coherently. My 14 had what may be past life memories when she was little. She would make this gesture when she was a few years old & when I asked her about them, she would say,, “That is what my mom did before when I was a boy”. (They were raised with no television at that age & I had never spoken to them about reincarnation) She also used to sing what seemed to be Native American songs/chants when she was very young...still in a crib.. but I don’t remember the exact age....when I asked her about them, she said that her grandma used to sing them to her “before”. I never questioned her further about either of these...I am not sure why I didn’t, but at the time it just seemed a perfectly natural response & I didn’t feel the need to push her for more information. She has been told these stories over the years & now wishes that I would have asked her more questions.

Anyway, I answer their questions to the best of my ability......which usually seems very insufficient to us all. It is hard when my beliefs change over the years (and that many times I am not even sure what I believe!) & that they tend to ask all the “unanswerable” questions!! Lol!!

Gassho,
Kristin

SaTtoDaY LAH

**cosmiceye** · 06-22-2018, 01:54 AM

Originally posted by Todd

......Brad Warner's "Don't Be A Jerk" or "Hardcore Zen".

These came up when I searched for something for teens. Anyone have experience with them?

Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens, by Diana Winston
Buddha In Your Backpack: Everyday Buddhism for Teens, by Franz Metcalf

Sat today. Gassho.

Thank you for the suggestions Todd! I have never seen any of Brad Warner’s books but I will look into them. I saw the 2 books you referred to for teens on Amazon as well, but wasn’t sure if they would were good. Does anyone know anything about them or the authors?

Thank you!
Gassho,
Kristin
Sat2day

**cosmiceye** · 06-22-2018, 01:57 AM

Awesome Tairin, Thank you! I will check that book out on Amazon!

Gassho,
Kristin!!
Sat2day Lah

**cosmiceye** · 06-22-2018, 01:59 AM

Originally posted by Shingen

All I can say is take it slow and make it fun for them. Learning comes in many ways as you know ... this too can be applied to understanding and practicing the path. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

Shingen, Than you for the reminder & great advice!!!

Gassho,
Kristin

**Jundo** · 06-22-2018, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by Todd

My kids haven't shown a lot of interest in Zen, and I'm not trying to push it on them. But I'm interested in whatever resources come out of this thread so I have something at hand if they do want to know more. I'm not sure what I have in my existing library that would hold their interest. My son (13 yo) may possibly get into Brad Warner's "Don't Be A Jerk" or "Hardcore Zen".

These came up when I searched for something for teens. Anyone have experience with them?

Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens, by Diana Winston
Buddha In Your Backpack: Everyday Buddhism for Teens, by Franz Metcalf

Sat today. Gassho.

Boy, I wish I could be more helpful here. The two goodreads links from Todd look very promising as a basic introduction aimed at teenagers, although not specifically to Zen practice. I will try to download and look. They seem to be more general mindfulness from skimming through what is available online. "What Is Zen" may be good for a serious minded teenager, but really it is aimed at adults. (Yes, we start that in our wordless bookclub in a couple of weeks).

Brad's "Hardcore Zen" might be good, as he is a 55 year old perpetual teenager (but not "Don't Be A Jerk" so much as an introduction, and I feel that it is really only for people who already know and love Dogen). Steve Hagen might be a bit dry for a teenager, and I would not recommend Batchelor as an introduction at all for anybody.

We have a couple of books on our reading list, but not particularly geared to teenagers.

• Buddhism For Dummies by Jonathan Landaw & Stephan Bodian (Jundo: I have been looking for a very long time for a book for people very new to Buddhism who want to know basic information and all the many flavors of Buddhist schools, their beliefs and practices. Despite the silly title, this is a very smart, well written, comprehensive and detailed yet easy (and fun) to read, humorous and serious guide, covers most of the major bases and in quite some detail, gives fair treatment to the many flavors of Buddhism, is very down to earth about the more magical aspects of Buddhism (it tries to present a more psychological than literal take on Karma and Rebirth, for example) .... and it covers everything and the kitchen sink. I learned a thing or two. I just wish they would change the title. If I have one criticism, I wish they had done a better job in contrasting the various approaches of Zen. I recommend this book primarily for people very new to Buddhism in general.)
.................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ...................**

• Simple Guide to Zen Buddhism by Diana St. Ruth (Jundo: For folks who are completely new, puzzled and perplexed about Zen Buddhism's history and practices of various flavors. It is detailed in its explanation, balanced and quite comprehensive in the many topics it covers. I would not recommend the book for anyone who had been practicing for even a few months, but it may still answer some questions and be good to give to your dad or sister who is completely confused by what we are doing here ... and may think that we are wearing bed sheets while dancing in drum circles with the Dalai Lama during the Soltice. As with any book, it is not perfect. It could still do even a better job in explaining the various different approaches of Soto and Rinzai, Koan Centered Zazen and Shikantaza ... but they are touched upon. But compared to most other books on the subject, it is well researched, comprehensive, very balanced and gets it right.)

By the way, we have this page of recommended Buddhist family holiday activities that, unfortunately, have never caught fire here at Treeleaf. I am still hoping they might someday.

Celebrate BUDDHIST HOLIDAYS with Your Family!

Visit our "Buddhist Family holidays" Webpage - Treeleaf Zendo

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?8335-VISIT-OUR-BUDDHIST-FAMILY-HOLIDAYS-WEBPAGE

Hi, At the following "BUDDHIST FAMILY HOLIDAYS" WEBPAGE sponsored by our Sangha, we present ideas for family celebrations of some traditional Buddhist Holidays. These are ideas to involve the entire family, and especially kids as a way to introduce them to the meaning of the holidays and basic Buddhist teachings in a

Gee, anybody around here want to help me write a book on Soto Zen and Buddhism for Teenagers? It sounds like a good project.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

**Amelia** · 06-25-2018, 01:19 AM

When I first began an interest in practice, my biggest inspirations from the Zen tradition, and not just Soto, always came from being shown and not told. I like to watch people practicing in action, either on YouTube or in a documentary. I find I can really get it into my bones in this way. I think "How to Cook Your Life" might be enjoyable for your kids. That one really got me to feel what we're going for in this life, even if just from the perspective of cooking. Also, YouTube just has endless videos and talks on the subject that might not be to heavy for them. To really see that practice is not some lofty ideal in a book, but just a simple way of life, really got me going in the beginning.

Gassho, sat today, lah

**Ryushi** · 06-25-2018, 03:16 AM

I like to watch people practicing in action, either on YouTube or in a documentary. I find I can really get it into my bones in this way.

excellent point! My introduction to zazen was watching how-to videos on YouTube.

My kids see me sitting and know what I'm doing. Sometimes they ask me about it and I always offer to show them how. No one has taken me up on it yet, but someday!

**Jundo** · 06-25-2018, 03:57 AM

As the father of a 15 year old, I am pretty sure that the dry books and such won't cut it with this generation. (I doubt it would have done much for me at that age).

Gee, we need some Buddhist video games! Films and animations.

In fact, I know one animation that is lovely and pretty funny too, and linked on our "Suggested Book & Media List" ...

Suggested BOOKS & MEDIA on Zen Practice - Treeleaf Zendo

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?5711-SUGGESTED-BOOK-MEDIA-LIST-for-TREELEAF-SANGHA

Hi, The following is a recommended book list for our Sangha. It covers a variety of works on Zen, life, “Just Sitting” Shikantaza Zazen, Master Dogen and Buddhism in general. Thank you to all who provided input, and the list is still open to new suggestions and additions. Please email or PM me (Jundo) with any

There are dozens of these short "Zen Speaks" cartoons with a Chan flavor. Here is the first video a compilation in a set of 11 videos. You need to turn on the English subtitles (small tab at the bottom of the screen)

Zen Speaks 1/11 (Português /English)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hURzUNwDYlg

De um modo geral, os ensinamentos do Zen criticam o estudo de textos e o desejo por realizações mundanas, recomendando, antes, a dedicação à meditação (zazen...

Recommended for everyone, young and old.

Gassho, J

SatToday

Buddhism for children/teens

Buddhism for children/teens

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