Dhamma - skilful actions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how beliefs about the Dhamma impact Buddhist practices.
Key learning points
- The Dhamma helps Buddhists to develop skilful actions and to avoid unskilful actions.
- Dependent origination means that nothing is dependent or without cause.
- Developing the four virtues (Brahmaviharas) is a skilful action.
Keywords
Dependent origination - nothing is independent or without cause
Brahmaviharas - four virtuous qualities that develop a peaceful and compassionate heart towards all beings
Skilful action - rooted in generosity, compassion and understanding
Unskilful action - rooted in craving, hatred and ignorance
Virtues - positive qualities
Common misconception
Buddhists find it easy to develop skilful actions.
All Buddhists have to work at developing these skills.
Teacher tip
Pupils could keep a diary of their actions for 24 hours and identify if each action would be considered skilful or unskilful by Buddhists.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Buddhism, what is a statue or model of an enlightened being called?
Q2.What are the Jataka tales?
Q3.What keyword can be used to describe a strong believer?
Q4.Why do many Buddhists have Buddharupas at home?
Q5.What offerings may be made to a Buddharupa during worship?
Q6.What can Buddhist devotees learn from the monkey king story in the Jataka tales?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What kind of actions cause suffering and harm?
Q2.What is the meaning of 'dependent origination'?
Q3.What are the four Brahmaviharas?
Q4.What type of actions can be challenging to develop?
To help you plan your 8 religious education lesson on: Dhamma - skilful actions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 religious education lesson on: Dhamma - skilful actions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Buddhism: how significant are the three jewels to Buddhists? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.