Skip to content
Skip to content
Teachers
Go to pupils
View unit
Lesson 3 of 10
  • Year 5

What is the eightfold path?

In this lesson, we are going to be learning about Buddhism as a religious tradition that was originally passed on by word of mouth. We will also learn about the Buddha's core teaching that helps Buddhists reach enlightenment: the eightfold path.

View unit
Lesson 3 of 10
  • Year 5

What is the eightfold path?

In this lesson, we are going to be learning about Buddhism as a religious tradition that was originally passed on by word of mouth. We will also learn about the Buddha's core teaching that helps Buddhists reach enlightenment: the eightfold path.

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 oral tradition within Buddhism
  2. The collected texts, including the Tipitaka

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.
What are the two definitions of the Buddha? (Tick two to get both points.)

Nirvana
Siddhartha Gautama
Correct answer: the awakened one
Correct answer: the enlightened one

Q2.
Dukkha means...

craving.
hope.
meditation.
Correct answer: suffering.

Q3.
The Buddha wrote all of his teachings down.

Correct answer: False
True

Q4.
In Pali, "ethics" translates to which of these terms?

prajna
samadhi
Correct answer: shila

Q5.
In Pali, "Meditation" translates to which of these terms?

prajna
Correct answer: samadhi
shila

Q6.
In Pali, "Wisdom" translates to which of these terms?

Correct answer: prajna
samadhi
shila

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf
Share with pupils

5 Questions

Q1.
The Buddha wrote all of his teachings down. True or false?

Correct answer: False
True

Q2.
The Buddha's teachings are called...

Correct answer: the Dharma.
the Enlightenment.
the Meditations.

Q3.
Which of the following make up the three baskets of wisdom from the Tipitaka? (Select three to get all three marks!)

Correct answer: The Discipline Basket
Correct answer: The Higher Doctrine Basket
The Meditation Basket
Correct answer: The Teaching Basket
The Wisdom Basket

Q4.
Match the following eightfold path to its definition: Right livelihood

Correct answer: Buddhists do not agree that people should work in a job that might cause harm to other people or animals. They believe that we should work for the good of the community and benefit the world as a whole.
This involves putting effort in to avoid feelings like greed and jealousy, and making an effort to develop feelings of compassion and consideration for others.
When you see the world as it really is and not how you want it to be.

Q5.
Match the following eightfold path to its definition: Right effort

Buddhists do not agree that people should work in a job that might cause harm to other people or animals. They believe that we should work for the good of the community and benefit the world as a whole.
Correct answer: This involves putting effort in to avoid feelings like greed and jealousy, and making an effort to develop feelings of compassion and consideration for others.
When you see the world as it really is and not how you want it to be.