The concept of Dhamma
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the different meanings of Dhamma and how it influences Buddhists today.
Key learning points
- Dhamma has a variety of meanings depending on its context.
- It is a central Buddhist belief and Buddhists may believe that it upholds natural order.
- Dhamma is based upon the actions and teachings of the Buddha, which Buddhists are encouraged to follow.
- These teachings were later written down and are now also known as the Dhamma.
Keywords
Dhamma - the teachings of the Buddha
Dukkha - a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness
Refuge - safety or shelter from difficulty or danger
Common misconception
Dhamma or Dharma has the same meaning for all dharmic worldviews.
In Buddhism, Dhamma refers to the teachings of the Buddha.
Teacher tip
Use an audio recitation of the Three Refuges for slide 12.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the title 'Buddha' mean?
Q2.What was the impact of the Four Sights on Siddhartha Gautama?
Q3.Why did King Suddhodana try to shield Siddhartha from the outside world?
Q4.Which of these is not one of the Four Sights Siddhartha saw?
Q5.The Four Sights helped Siddhartha realise the truth about .
Q6.The Middle Way teaches Buddhists to avoid and seek balance.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is the meaning of the term ‘Dhamma’ in Buddhism?
Q2.Which of the following is not included in the Three Refuges?
Q3.How does the Dhamma influence Buddhists today?
Q4.The Three Refuges include the Buddha, the Dhamma and the .
Q5.Dhamma is central to Buddhism because it aims to reduce .
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The concept of Dhamma, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The concept of Dhamma, 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.