Heather's Hen House: Our Buddhist Shrine

Monday, January 19, 2009

Our Buddhist Shrine

I am teaching the kids about different cultures and religions. This week we are learning about India and Buddhism. We were going to go to a Buddhist service yesterday in New Bedford, MA but got snowed in. Tonight we learned how a Buddhist worships. We found out that Buddhists have shrines in thier homes and so we built our own. The kids picked out each special item and we already had the Buddha statue (hard to see in the picture because it is dark, but the Buddha statue is right between the candles.) We learned the significance for each item too.

Here is the link to build your own shrine: Buddhism for kids

Ways to keep stress low:

HEATHERS HOMEMADE HINTS:

Peppermint Hair Conditioner (Makes 8oz)

1/2 C. Cholesterol-type hair conditioner
3/4 C. water
Peppermint essential oil

Shake in a bottle 'til well mixed, using just a few drops of essential oil. If hair is dry, add a tablespoon of corn oil.
It only costs about $1.20 to make (compared to $4.99 at a beauty supply store - or more!).

Homemade Laundry Soap

1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax powder
~You will also need a small bucket, about 2 gallon size~

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. You use ½ cup per load.