The three jewels
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the meaning of the three jewels and their significance for Buddhists.
Key learning points
- The three jewels may also be known by other names, such as 'the three treasures'.
- The Buddha refers to the historical Buddha and the concept of Buddhahood.
- Dhamma means 'truth' and includes the teachings and practices of the Buddha.
- The Sangha includes monks and nuns as well as the wider Buddhist community.
Keywords
Buddha - refers to the historical Buddha who achieved enlightenment
Dhamma - in Buddhism, the term means 'truth' and includes the teachings of the Buddha
Sangha - the Buddhist community, including monks and nuns
Refuge - seeking safety or shelter from difficulty or danger
Common misconception
The jewels refer to riches or physical treasure.
The jewels are highly valued principles and institutions.
Teacher tip
You could play an audio clip of the three refuges being recited.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who was Siddhartha Gautama?
Q2.In Buddhism, what does 'dhamma' mean?
Q3.How many Noble Truths did the Buddha teach?
Q4.Which of these is part of the Eightfold Path?
Q5.How might the law of kamma be described?
Q6.What is the goal of many Buddhists?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.According to Buddhists, the Buddha is what type of being?
Q2.According to Buddhism, how many jewels are there?
Q3.What does the Buddhist term 'Sangha' refer to?
Q4.Which of these does not appear in the three refuge vows?
Q5.What does it mean to seek refuge in the three jewels?
Q6.Why are the three jewels significant for Buddhists?
To help you plan your 7 religious education lesson on: The three jewels, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 religious education lesson on: The three jewels, 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 Dharma: how is this interpreted and put into action? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.