Hello, my name's Miss Ramalli and thank you for joining me for today's RE lesson.

This lesson explores Buddhist attitudes to issues of wealth and poverty and forms part of our unit on Issues of human rights.

Okay, let's begin.

Today's lesson outcome is: I can explain Buddha's teachings and responses to wealth and poverty.

To help guide us through today's lesson there are five keywords.

Our keywords are: dukkha, meaning suffering, karuna, meaning compassion, metta meaning loving-kindness, the Middle Way, and tanha meaning craving.

Dukkha is a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness.

Dukkha is one of the Three Marks of Existence.

Karuna is sympathy and concern for the suffering of others, and this is a key part of Buddhist ethics.

Metta refers to a pure love, which is selfless and not possessive.

This is also a key part of Buddhist ethics.

The Middle Way is the path of moderation, avoiding both indulgence and severe self denial.

And finally, tanha refers to the ongoing state of desire which causes suffering; grasping at things we enjoy or want.

Today's lesson on Buddhist attitudes to issues of wealth and poverty takes two parts.

First of all, we are going to be learning Buddha's teachings on issues of wealth and poverty, followed by Buddhist responses to issues of wealth and poverty.

The Buddha's teachings provides the ethical foundation for Buddhist attitudes to wealth, poverty, and social responsibility.

This is an illustration of the Buddha's first sermon.

In this first teaching after his enlightenment, the Buddha introduced the Four Noble Truths and the Middle Way, laying the foundation for Buddhist responses to wealth and poverty.

Sofia has been learning about Buddhism.

Her teacher has asked her to reflect on a teaching from the Buddha.

This teaching is taken from the Majjhima Nikaya, the Anathapindikovada Sutta.

The teaching says "By action, knowledge and Dhamma, by virtue and noble way of life, by these are mortals purified, not by lineage or wealth." Sofia says, "The Buddha seems to be saying that people become better through their way of life, not because of their family background or wealth." What does this suggest about the importance of wealth in Buddhism? Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to move on with the lesson.

This timeline illustrates how the life of the Buddha is a source of wisdom and authority for Buddhists when thinking about issues of wealth and poverty.

So here we have the timeline of before the Buddha's enlightenment and after the enlightenment.

So before the enlightenment, we have the life in the palace.

Siddhartha Gautama is born into luxury as a prince.

King Suddhodana shields him from suffering.

Siddhartha marries and has a son, Rahula.

He lives in comfort, but becomes curious about life outside.

Life outside the palace.

So Siddhartha leaves the palace and sees the four sights of suffering.

He realises that dukkha or suffering is part of life.

He begins his spiritual quest, leaving his family and a life of luxury.

He becomes an ascetic, giving up comfort to live a very simple life and to find the cause of dukkha.

Abandoning asceticism.

So Siddhartha practised asceticism for six years.

He became physically weak and no closer to truth.

Finally, he realised that harming himself would not lead to enlightenment.

He accepted a bowl of rice and milk from a village girl.

This led him to understand that following a Middle Way is best.

This then moves on to the enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

So Siddhartha meditated deeply under the Bodhi tree.

He achieved enlightenment, became the Buddha.

He realised the true causes of dukkha are suffering.

For the Buddha, enlightenment means finding inner peace by following a Middle Way between the extremes of wealth and poverty.

After the Buddha had achieved enlightenment, we move on to the Dhamma.

So remember the Dhamma is the Buddhist's teachings.

The Buddha found the five ascetics he had once practised with.

He explained the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a way to overcome dukkha, suffering.

This marked the beginning of his life as a teacher, spreading the Dhamma for the rest of his life.

Katrina is a British Mahayana Buddhist.

She is explaining whether Buddhists believe wealth is bad.

So wealth can lead to tanha, craving, greed, lobha, tanha and greed can cause dukkha, suffering.

Katrina says, "Wealth is bad when it leads to dukkha, suffering.

It can result in tanha, craving, which traps the mind.

It can also feed lobha, greed, which results in dukkha for the individual and for anyone they exploit in order to increase their wealth." Katrina referred to the Buddha's teachings as a source of authority when she explained Buddhist attitudes to wealth.

So the Buddha's teaching as a source of authority.

For example, the Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths.

So dukkha or suffering is caused by craving, tanha.

The teaching here is that craving wealth leads to attachment and fear of loss.

So some people will suffer if they fear losing their wealth.

The Buddha's teaching as a source of authority, is also the Three Poisons.

So greed or lobha is a root cause of dukkha, suffering.

Remember, greed is one of the Three Poisons.

The Three Poisons, according to the Buddha, are the cause of all suffering.

So here the teaching explains that greed for wealth leads to selfishness, conflict and harm to others.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

True or false: Buddhism teaches that wealth is bad? Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said this statement is false.

Why is this statement false? Well, in Buddhism, wealth is essentially neutral, but it does become a problem when it causes tanha.

So when it causes suffering, when it causes lobha or greed, or if wealth is gained through exploitation of others.

And if that exploitation leads to dukkha, suffering, that's when wealth can be bad.

Mike is a British Mahayana Buddhist and a scientist.

He is explaining Buddhist beliefs about how to avoid wealth, leading to suffering, leading to dukkha.

So Mike says, "Buddhists follow the Middle Way, a path between excessive wealth and extreme poverty.

It teaches a balance helping us to overcome tanha and greed, which reduces suffering.

The Eightfold Path guides us on the Middle Way, especially Right Action and Right Livelihood, which encourages us to gain and use our wealth ethically, without harming others." Mike referred to the Buddha's teaching as a source of authority when he explained Buddhist teachings, about how to prevent wealth from leading to dukkha.

So Mike referred to the Buddha's teachings on the Middle Way and he referred to the Middle Way in action.

So we know that the Buddha gave up his life of luxury when he was a prince.

He also rejected harsh self punishment when he was living as an ascetic.

While this teaching shows that the Buddha realised that only through balance could true peace be found.

We know that the Buddha also taught the Eightfold Path, in particular Right Action, meaning avoiding harming others and Right Livelihood, earning a living in a way that does not cause suffering.

And this teaches that following the Eightfold Path means no stealing, no cheating or exploiting people living in poverty.

So by following the Middle Way and the Eightfold Path, Buddhists can help prevent wealth from leading to suffering.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following breaks both Right Action and Right Livelihood in relation to poverty? A: paying fair wages and offering free meals to staff, B: employing workers but paying them very low wages, C: donating part of your salary to help the homeless, or: D, running a company that supports ethical trade? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you selected B.

Katrina is using Buddhist teachings to explain how Buddhists believe they should respond to people living in poverty.

Katrina says, "Buddhists believe everything depends on something else, this is the principle of dependent arising, Paticca Samuppada.

Helping those living in poverty benefits everyone.

We are guided by the values of metta, loving-kindness, karuna, compassion, dana, generosity, which are all expressed in the Five Precepts.

The first teaches us not to harm living beings and the second not to take what isn't ours." Katrina referred to Buddha's teachings as a source of authority when she explained how Buddhists respond to people living in poverty.

So the Buddha taught the principle of dependent arising, or Paticca Samuppada.

So this teaching can be used as a Buddhist source of authority.

And the meaning of this teaching is that helping those living in poverty essentially benefits everyone.

Katrina also referred to the principles of metta, loving-kindness, karuna, compassion, and dana, generosity as being rooted in the Buddha's teachings.

So these teachings can also be used as a source of authority.

So the teachings on metta, karuna and dana show Buddhists that they should relieve the suffering of those living in poverty.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

What is the missing word? The Buddhist value of means showing generosity, including to people living in poverty.

Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Well done if you identified the missing word as dana.

So now we are going to complete our first practise task for today's lesson.

Explain how each source of authority in the table below informs Buddhist views on issues of wealth and poverty.

So here we have four sources of authority: the Middle Way, the Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the Five Precepts.

So you need to link each of the sources of authority to an issue of wealth and poverty.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

Time to check your answers for the first practise task.

So your answers may look something like this.

You could have said: For the Middle Way: The Middle Way teaches Buddhists to avoid excessive wealth and extreme poverty.

It helps reduce tanha, craving and greed, lobha, which causes dukkha, suffering.

The source of authority, the Eightfold Path.

Well, this links to issues of wealth and poverty, because the Eightfold Path guides Buddhists to live ethically, especially through Right Action and Right Livelihood.

These help Buddhists earn and use wealth in a way that supports others.

The Four Noble Truths links to issues of wealth and poverty because they explain that dukkha is caused by tanha.

By following the Middle Way and the Eightfold Path, Buddhists reduce tanha and live with less attachment to wealth.

And finally, the Five Precepts.

The Five Precepts express values like metta, loving-kindness and karuna, compassion.

The first precept teaches not to harm others.

And the second reminds Buddhists not to take what isn't theirs, promoting care for people living in poverty.

Well done on all of your hard work completing the first section of our practise task.

Jacob has started to write a paragraph answering the question: With reference to one religion you have studied, explain views about the use of wealth.

Jacob says, "The Buddha taught in the Four Noble Truths that dukkha.

This means Buddhists should not.

Buddhists also avoid the extremes of wealth and poverty and follow the.

This is supported by the Eightfold Path, especially.

They should.

." So you need to copy his paragraph, filling in the gaps he has left.

Good luck.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everyone.

So time to check your answers.

So you could have said: "The Buddha taught in the Four Noble truths that dukkha, suffering, is caused by tanha, craving.

This means Buddhists should not be attached to money.

Instead, they should use it wisely and with compassion, helping others and avoiding greed, lobha, Buddhists also avoid the extremes of wealth and poverty and follow the Middle Way.

This is supported by the Eightfold Path, especially Right Action and Right Livelihood, which guides them to earn and use wealth in ethical ways that do not harm others.

They should show metta, loving-kindness and karuna, compassion, which means caring for people living in poverty.

Fantastic, everyone.

Well done.

So that leads us on to the second part of our lesson on Buddhist attitudes to issues of wealth and poverty.

And now we're going to be exploring Buddhist responses to issues of wealth and poverty.

We can understand Buddhist responses to issues of wealth and poverty by considering Buddhist practises as well as teachings.

Buddhism addresses wealth and poverty through core teachings like karuna, compassion, and the impact of these teachings is seen in practises such as dana, generosity.

Dr.

B R Ambedkar was a Dalit, a member of a community that faced severe discrimination under the caste system that was prevalent in India at that time.

He was a lawyer, scholar and reformer who fought for justice and equality.

Ambedkar believed true freedom meant a change in values, not just laws.

In 1956, he and around 500,000 Dalits converted to Buddhism, encouraging others to follow it as a path to dignity, ethical living, and escape from poverty.

Mike is explaining the importance of Dr.

Ambedkar's example.

Mike says, "Dr.

Ambedkar is important because he showed how Buddhism can help people overcome poverty and discrimination.

He said poverty isn't just about money, but about lacking opportunity and self-worth.

By following teachings like the Middle Way, karuna, compassion and Right Action, he gave people a path to live with dignity.

Today, many still follow his example, using Buddhism to fight injustice and rebuild their lives." How did Dr.

Ambedkar address the causes of poverty? Either on your own, take time to reflect, or with your partner, discuss that question.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

True or false: Dr.

Ambedkar encouraged Dalits to convert to Buddhism because he believed it would help them escape poverty.

Pause the video and press play when you are ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Buddhism rejects caste and teaches equality, helping people gain self-respect and break free from poverty through ethical living and empowerment.

Sam is talking to Katrina about the Karuna Trust.

"I heard you support the Karuna Trust.

What's it about and why do you get involved?" Karina replies, "I volunteer with the Karuna Trust here in the UK.

I help with fundraising and outreach, talking to people about how the charity puts Buddhist values like karuna, compassion, and metta, loving-kindness into action.

It's a way of living out the Buddha's teachings that we should reduce suffering and help others, especially people living in poverty." Sam asks.

"So it's not just about giving money?" Katrina says, "Not at all.

It's about Right Action, doing something practical.

The Karuna Trust has supported things like solar panelled health centres in India, helping people in remote villages access proper medical care.

For me, a Buddhist response is about using compassion to make lasting change." How does Katrina's volunteering with the Karuna Trust reflect the Buddhist teaching of the Middle Way? Either on your own, reflect, or with your partner, discuss those questions.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

What are the missing words? The is a UK-based Buddhist charity that helps tackle poverty in South Asia.

It is inspired by Buddhist values such as karuna and metta.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everyone.

So the first missing answer you should have had is Karuna Trust.

So that's a UK-based Buddhist charity that helps tackle poverty in South Asia.

It is inspired by Buddhist values, such as Karuna, meaning compassion, and metta, meaning loving-kindness.

Sam is talking to Ting, who is a Mahayana monk about how the Sangha puts the Buddha's teachings about wealth and poverty into practise.

Sam asks, "Why do monks live so simply?" Ting replies, "As bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, we follow the Vinaya Pitaka, which teaches us to live a life of poverty, celibacy, and simplicity.

This helps us let go of tanha, which the Buddha taught causes dukkha.

By living with only what we need, we avoid attachment and focus on reaching nibbana." Sam asks, "But what about people living in poverty?" Ting says "That's why the Sangha, the community exists, not just for our own practise, but to serve others.

Our monasteries offer food, education and shelter, especially to people in need.

We live off donations and show karuna, compassion and metta, loving-kindness in action.

Our way of life reminds others to practise dana, generosity, so that dukkha can be reduced for everyone.

How does the example of the bhikkus influence the way lay Buddhists respond to issues of wealth and poverty? So lay Buddhists are Buddhists that do not live as monks or nuns.

Pause the video here, spend some time reflecting or discussing that question and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

What do the actions of monks and nuns most clearly demonstrate? A: the pursuit of spiritual detachment without concern for others, B: a rejection of society and worldly responsibility, C: karuna and metta in action, or D: the importance of performing rituals and ceremonies? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you selected C as a correct answer.

So now we're going to complete our second practise task.

Here is a full evaluation question: "It is up to you what you do with your money." Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view.

You must refer to religion and belief in your answer.

Use these points to write a paragraph disagreeing with the statement: tanha and dukkha, karuna and metta, the Sangha and Karuna Trust.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everyone.

So your answer could have said: A Buddhist might disagree with the idea that it's up to you what you do with your money, but it's believed that when we use wealth, it should be guided by karuna, compassion and metta, loving-kindness, not just personal choice.

The Buddha taught that tanha causes dukkha, so we shouldn't be selfish with money.

Instead, we should use it to help others and reduce harm.

Monastic communities, or the Sangha, show this by living simply and using what they are given to support others through education, food, and shelter.

Charities like the Karuna Trust also show how money can be used to help people in need.

So Buddhists believe wealth should be used wisely and ethically, not just however we want.

Fantastic, well done on all of your hard work completing our second and final practise task.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on Buddhist attitudes to issues of wealth and poverty.

So here is a summary of our key learning points.

Wealth is neutral in Buddhism, but when it leads to tanha, craving, greed, lobha, or exploitation, it contributes to dukkha, suffering.

The Middle Way and the Eightfold Path, especially Right Action and Right Livelihood, teach avoiding extremes and using wealth ethically.

Core teachings like metta, loving-kindness, karuna, compassion, and the Five Precepts promote honesty, fairness, and care for others.

Dr.

Ambedkar used Buddhism to help Dalits escape caste oppression and poverty.

And finally, charities like the Karuna Trust and monastic communities put Buddhist values into action through education, healthcare, and simple living.

Fantastic, well done.

And thank you for joining me for today's lesson.

Goodbye.