Exploring Buddhism: Path to Enlightenment

• PSHE
• Special Education

Exploring Buddhism: Path to Enlightenment

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain the core beliefs and practices of Buddhism.

What do you already know about Buddhism?

True or false: India is the birthplace of 4 major religions like Hinduism and Buddhism.

Introduction to Buddhism

Buddhism is a major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. It emphasizes the importance of achieving enlightenment through meditation and ethical living.

The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of Buddhist philosophy. They explain the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path to the end of suffering.

What do the Four Noble Truths explain?

1. The origin of happiness
2. The purpose of meditation
3. The nature of suffering
4. The meaning of life

In which country did Buddhism originate?

1. India
2. Cambodia
3. Indonesia
4. Myanmar

Buddhist Practices

Buddhists engage in various practices including meditation, chanting, and acts of generosity. These practices are aimed at developing mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom.

Buddhist Symbols

Buddhism has several symbols such as the lotus flower, the Dharma wheel, and the Buddha statue. These symbols represent key aspects of Buddhist teachings and inspire reflection and devotion.

The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path is a guide to living in a way that leads to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of enlightenment. It includes principles such as right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

Buddhism Today

Buddhism is practiced by millions of people worldwide and has different schools and traditions. It continues to influence art, culture, and philosophy in many societies.

How does Karma influence our future according to Buddhas?

1. Karma only affects our past.
2. Karma shapes our future based on our actions.
3. Karma is predetermined and cannot be changed.
4. Karma has no impact on our future.

What is the name of the founder of Buddhism?

1. Jesus Christ
2. Laozi
3. Bodhidharma
4. Siddhartha Gautama

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

Do Buddhas believe in a personal God?

1. No, Buddhas do not believe in a personal God.
2. Yes, Buddhas believe in a personal God.

Comparison with Other Religions

Compare and contrast key beliefs and practices of Buddhism with those of other major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.