Suffering and its causes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different states of suffering, the causes of suffering and how these influence Buddhists today.
Key learning points
- The Sermon at Benares was a teaching point used by the Buddha to help people understand suffering.
- The nature of life, including old age, sickness and death contributes to suffering.
- Change and impermanence are also significant contributors to the suffering we experience.
- Many Buddhists believe suffering is essential to help us understand ultimate reality and choose how to live.
- The Buddha's teachings on the causes of suffering influence Buddhists e.g. to stop cravings.
Keywords
Dukkha - a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness
Craving - the ongoing state of desire which causes suffering; grasping at things we enjoy/want
The three poisons - causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed and hatred
Anicca - one of the three marks of existence, meaning nothing is permament
Tanha - a cause of suffering meaning ‘thirst’ or ‘craving’
Common misconception
Buddhism teaches that suffering is inherently bad or to be avoided at all costs.
Buddhism views suffering (dukkha) as an essential part of life. It’s not about denying suffering but understanding its nature and learning to live in a way that reduces unnecessary suffering.
Teacher tip
You could include further teachings on the three marks of existence, the Four Noble Truths and the three poisons to consolidate learning in this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Fourth Noble Truth is also known as the Path.
Q2.The Buddha taught that suffering is caused by ...
Q3.According to the First Noble Truth, what is dukkha?
Q4.What is the name for the Buddha’s teaching that suffering can end?
Q5.Which of the following is part of the Eightfold Path?
Q6.The Eightfold Path is also sometimes called the Way.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where did the Buddha give his first sermon after enlightenment? The Park.
Q2.Which of the following is NOT one of the three poisons?
Q3.According to the Buddha, how can suffering be reduced?
Q4.What is one of the types of craving (tanha) taught by the Buddha?
Q5.What did the Buddha say about suffering in the Majjhima Nikaya?
Q6.The Buddhist concept of means nothing is permanent.
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Suffering and its causes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Suffering and its causes, 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.