• Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle
• Leader Resource 1, Buddhism Background
• Optional: Books with images associated with Buddhism

• Read Leader Resource 1, Buddhism Background, so you will be comfortable presenting it.

Youth learn some basic information about Buddhism.

Answer any questions you could not answer from the last workshop.

Invite youth to sit in a circle. Light the chalice with these words:

We light this chalice in celebration of Unitarian Universalism and the sustaining faiths of all people of the world. May the flame represent the fire of our commitment to understand all faithful people and build bridges that connect us as one human family.

Allow the circle to sit in silence for a moment. Ask if anyone knows which religion uses the Dhammapada. Say, "For check-in, say your name and any experience you have had with Buddhism. If you are a Buddhist, great; if you're not, perhaps you know a Buddhist or someone who is studying Buddhism."

If you obtained any books, display them or pass them around during the opening discussion. Ask what questions the group has about Buddhism, and write their questions on newsprint. Answer the ones you can. Tell the group that during this workshop, many of their other questions will be answered. After the workshop, you will seek answers to any remaining questions, which you will share at their next meeting.

Read or share in your own words, the information in Leader Resource 1, Buddhism Background. On newsprint, list important terms from the resource.