FUTURE DIRECTIONS DIGITIZATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL ZEN BUDDHIST BOARD GAME Nithi Deivanayagam, Gwen A. Frishkoff & Allen D. Malony University of Oregon, Department of Computer Science & Robert D. Clark Honors College METHODS References Jiyu-Kennett, P.T.N.H. (1989) Training and Enlightenment: A Buddhist Game and Educational Tool for Adults and Older Children.. Copyright © 1989. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Carvalho, M. B., Bellotti, F., Berta, R., De Gloria, A., Sedano, C. I., Hauge, J. B., ... & Rauterberg, M. (2015). An activity theory-based model for serious games analysis and conceptual design. Computers & Education, 87, 166-181 Acknowledgments We thank Reverend Master Hugh, Prior (Eugene Buddhist Priory) and the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC) for permission to work on this project. We also thank a student collaborator who worked on the game development. RESULTS ETHICAL (KARMIC) NARRATIVES ABSTRACT The Training & Enlightenment eGame (TAEeG) is a digital adaptation of the Training & Enlightenment™ (TAE) board game, which was created by Reverend Master Jiyu-Kennett (1989), founder of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC). Approximately 300 games were manufactured and distributed by the OBC in the 1980s and continue to be used in Buddhist temples across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Europe. The present project aims to preserve this educational tool and extend its reach to future generations. It uses the Tkinter library to create a Python-based game board system with a graphical user interface (GUI), algorithmic coding, and error handling during code execution. SQLite is used for data storage and retrieval. To the best of our knowledge, TAEeG is the first computer game that is designed to support Zen Buddhist training and practice. GUI TAEeG (Code) py GAME INTERFACE GUI Display User (Player) Source Data GAME RULES ? ! AVATAR MOVEMENT X DB CARDS AVATAR LOCATION MAIN MENU CARDS AVATAR RULESSPACES Domain Expert PATHS 1 2 3 Merit Cards (1 pt) Karma Cards Bodhisattva Cards Merit Cards (7 pts) ________ ________ ____206____ Human Realm Current Position ____0____ #Turns to Sit Still ____0____ #Merit Points Die Roll Karmic Context Karmic Consequence Welcome! This is an educational tool or game, designed not merely as entertainment but as an explanation of how spiritual training is done in the meditation (or “Zen”) school of Buddhism. ____1____ Wordly MInd Avatar Rank 1 = Right Speech 4 = Right Effort 3 = Right Livelihood 5 = Right Mindfulness 6 = Right Meditation 7 = Right View 8 = Right Intention 2 = Right Action 8 Path Branches (Spokes) Cosmic Realms (1) Animal (2) Human (3) Heaven (6) Hell (5) Hungry Ghost (4) Titan TRAINING & ENLIGHTENMENT (TAE) BOARD GAME TAE Game at Shasta Abbey (Mt. Shasta, CA) Rev. Master Jiyu Rev. Master Hugh Gould q Game Board + 9-sided die (right) q Avatar Markers (Upright cards) § Ranks 1-2: Upside-Down/Right side-Up Animals § Pig (Greed or “Attachment”) § Snake (Anger or “Aversion”) § Rooster (Ignorance or “Delusion”) § Ranks 3-5: Bodhisattvas § Avalokitshvara (mind of compassion) § Samantabhadra (mind of love) § Manjusri (mind of wisdom) § Rank 6: Buddha (fully enlightened being) q Karma (orange) Carrds q Bodhisattva (green) Cards q Gold Reward Cards (Merit Points) TAE E-GAME (TAEeG) PROJECT AIMS Wheel of Training (Dharma) Noble Eightfold Path of Training ETHICS (sila) MEDITATION (samadhi) WISDOM (prajna) Effort (vayama) Mindfulness (sati) Meditation (samadhi) Speech (vaca) Action (kammanta) Livelihood (ajiva) View/Understanding (ditthi) Aspiration/Intention (sankappa) q Python programming to create partial digitization of TAE Board Game, following two main software design principles (Carvahlo, et al., 2015): § Fidelity to original TAE game § Effective Graphical User Interface (GUI) q Gamification of Learning in Zen Buddhist Training: § Ethics (Skt. Sila) § Reflecting on karmic narratives § Applying knowledge of Buddhist precepts § Meditation (Skt. Samadhi) § Sitting still: skillful response to karmic challenges § Bringing Mind of meditation (bodhisattva attitude) to game play § Wisdom (Skt. Prajna) § “Transferring merit” to help other players § Viewing “good”/“bad” events as learning opportunities Googlehttp://psomaa.com/TAE_Egame/public/dashboard.php TAE E-Game Trainee Dashboard Avatar Rank Practice Level Click here to Resume Game. Name: GF00001 Current Rank Spiritually Minded Rooster (Rank 2) Current Realm: Animal Current Challenge: Lack of Agency (Enslavement to Habits) Position: Space #3 Current Level: Outer Path (Level 1) Current Branch: Awakened Action (Ethics) Current Focus: Skillful Speech Stillness of Mind (SOM) Meditation Awakened Action (AA) Ethics Comprehension Points +80 True Insight into Conditions (TIC) Wisdom +5 #Turns sitting still Current Total +10 Merit Points +12 Current Total +24 P-SOM-AA-TIC Markers X Version 1.5: Full-Featured, Single Player Version q SQL)Database to store and track changes in key variables, user responses q Updated GUI to reflect dynamic changes in key variables Version 2.0: Multi-Player Version w/ Advanced Features q Dashboard to display game play and learning metrics q Personalization of narratives q Web-based links to external resources (e.g., Sutta Central) q Intelligent & adaptive features (e.g., real- time feedback, scaffolding of learning) Software Design and Implementation 1. Digital Game Contents • Data & Knowledge Capture by “Domain Expert" • Semi-structured (tabular) source data 2. Digital Game Structure • Code Modules (GUI, GAME, DATABASE) 3. Graphical User Interface (GUI) Display • Main Game Interface • Main Menu (pop-up) RULES FOR MEDITATION Table 2. Zen Buddhist (“Bodhisattva”) Precepts q Game-based scenarios that prompt player to sit still (meditate) 1. Die Roll = ‘0’ à No movement, no card draws on that turn 2. Missed Turns à Karmic consequence for some unskillful actions (karma) 3. Grasp-the-Will Spaces à Player chooses to skip 3 turns or to continue playing. Reward for skipping 3 turns is increased avatar rank, movement inwards toward center (nirvana) TAEeG Version 1.0 Software Specifications q Coded w/ Python + libraries (Tkinter, Pandas, SQLite) q Open-source code (subject to OBC licensing & copyright) q Versioning and management of code via GitHub q Partial implementation of the original TAE game • Single Player • Limited Storage and Tracking of Data (No avatar ranks, No Merit Points, Subset of Karmic Narratives) PreceptLabel PreceptSummary DescriptionB Refuge01 buddha_refuge I have faith in the Buddha. Refuge02 dharma_refuge I aspire to understand the Teachings. Refuge03 sangha_refuge I trust the community of practitioners. PurePrecept01 cease_from_evil I intend to cease from evil. PurePrecept02 do_only_good I intend to do only good. PurePrecept03 do_good_for_others I intend to do good for others so that my actions will not cause them to do wrong. GreatPrecept01 do_not_kill I intend to train myself not to kill. GreatPrecept02 do_not_steal I intend to train myself not to steal. GreatPrecept03 do_not_covet I intend to train myself not to covet. GreatPrecept04 do_not_lie I intend to train myself not to lie. GreatPrecept05 do_not_do_drugs I intend to train myself not to get drunk or to delude myself with drugs or ideas. GreatPrecept06 do_not_gossip I intend to train myself not to speak against others. GreatPrecept07 do_not_be_proud I intend to train myself not to be proud of myself and devalue others. GreatPrecept08 do_not_be_stingy I intend to train myself not to be mean in giving either help or wealth. GreatPrecept09 do_not_be_angry I intend to train myself not to be angry. GreatPrecept10 do_not_blame I intend to train myself not to defame (or blame) the Buddha, Dharma, or Sangha.