Skip to content
Skip to content
Teachers
Go to pupils
View unit
Lesson 3 of 13

The Three Marks of Existence

In this lesson, we will focus on the Three Marks of Existence! What does it mean to be human? What common experiences do we have? Today's lesson will explore these two questions from a Buddhist point of view.

View unit
Lesson 3 of 13

The Three Marks of Existence

In this lesson, we will focus on the Three Marks of Existence! What does it mean to be human? What common experiences do we have? Today's lesson will explore these two questions from a Buddhist point of view.

These resources will be removed by the end of the Spring Term 2026.

Start using our brand new teaching resources now. Designed by teachers and subject experts, with real classrooms in mind.

The older resources below were created for lockdown learning during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View and download new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The big questions surrounding the idea of self, permanence and suffering.

Equipment

You will need two different coloured pens: black or blue and another coloured pen, such as green or red.

Content guidance

  • Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Lesson video

Share with pupils
Skip lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf
Share with pupils

6 Questions

Q1.
Which one is not one of The Four Sights?

A dead person
A holy man meditating
An old woman
Correct answer: Someone dying

Q2.
Which Buddhist term best describes 'The practice of finding balance and peace between all things. The midway point between pain and pleasure'?

Enlightenment
Tesco
Correct answer: The Middle Way
The Midpoint

Q3.
What are Big Philosophical questions?

Questions about the most efficient way to produce energy.
Correct answer: Questions about the nature of reality and human purpose.
Questions about whether to clean my bedroom.

Q4.
What does Buddha mean?

A God
Correct answer: Awakened
Siddhartha Gautama

Q5.
What is Pali?

A type of prayer
Correct answer: An ancient Indian language associated with Buddhism
The place where the Buddha was born

Q6.
Why did Siddhartha leave home?

Correct answer: He wanted to find answers to the meaning of life.
He was angry at his father for lying to him.
He was fed up of being kept in the palace.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf
Share with pupils

5 Questions

Q1.
What did the Buddha talk about during his first sermon?

Correct answer: Dhamma and the causes of illusion
Who is going to win the FA Cup
Why Hindu teachings are wrong

Q2.
What does Annica mean

Correct answer: Impermanence
No self
Suffering

Q3.
Why is Anatta ?

No permanent life
Correct answer: No permanent self
Suffering

Q4.
Challenge: Do you think Buddhists believe in a soul?

Correct answer: No, because nothing is permanent and a soul is seen as an eternal part of a being that is made by God
Yes, because that's how people become enlightened, its their soul
Yes, because the soul can help us change

Q5.
How long does it take a human body to completely regenerate its cells?

5 years
Correct answer: 7 - 10 Years
Never

Lesson appears in

UnitReligious education / Buddhism: beliefs and teachings

Religious education

Show unit