Meditation and wisdom
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the nature, purpose and significance of meditation in Buddhism and how it influences Buddhists today.
Key learning points
- Meditation is a significant Buddhist practice.
- It can be a means to making progress in the stages of the Eighfold Path.
- There are many different types of meditation, but samatha and vipassana are the main types.
- Buddhists may also do metta bhavana meditation, which focuses on loving kindness.
- Meditation influences most Buddhists to develop mindfulness and deepen their wisdom of the Buddha's Dhamma.
Keywords
Meditation - a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness
Samatha - a method of meditation; a state of calmness
Vipassana - a method of meditation focused on insight into the true nature of things
Metta bhavana - a method of meditation focused on developing pure love which is selfless and not possessive
Zazen - a method of meditation practised cross-legged with the aim of gaining vipassana (insight)
Common misconception
Meditation requires clearing the mind completely of all thoughts.
Meditation can involve observing and acknowledging thoughts without getting attached to them.
Teacher tip
Complete a research project on samatha and vipassana meditation. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Pure Land Buddhism follows the teaching of (Amida) Buddha.
Q2.Where is Amitabha (Amida) Buddha featured?
Q3.What was the role Amitabha (Amida) Buddha occupied before achieving enlightenment?
Q4.Which of these is a key goal for Pure Land Buddhists?
Q5.Some Pure Land Buddhists may believe that the Pure Land is , while others believe it is a place to be reborn.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What role does meditation play in Buddhism?
Q2.How does meditation relate to the Eightfold Path in Buddhism?
Q3.There are many different types of meditation, but and vipassana are the main types.
Q4.Which type of meditation is specifically focused on loving-kindness?
Q5.How are thoughts treated during Buddhist meditation?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Meditation and wisdom, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Meditation and wisdom, 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 4 religious education lessons from the Buddhism: beliefs unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.