New
New
Year 10
AQA

Buddha rupa, artefacts and offerings

I can explain the nature and purpose of Buddha rupas, artefacts and offerings, and why they are important for Buddhists today.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Buddha rupa, artefacts and offerings

I can explain the nature and purpose of Buddha rupas, artefacts and offerings, and why they are important for Buddhists today.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Objects of devotion are used within different Buddhist places of worship.
  2. Buddha rupas are often symbolic and depict the Buddha’s path to enlightenment.
  3. The Buddha rupa is not to be worshipped, but used as inspiration to commit to the Dhamma.
  4. Artefacts are items of religious importance that aid puja by being a point of focus.
  5. Offerings are made as a mark of respect and reverence to the Buddha.

Keywords

  • Bodhisattva - a being destined for enlightenment, who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings

  • Buddha - an awakened or enlightened person

  • Buddha rupa - an image or statue of the historical Buddha or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood

  • Puja - the name given to ceremonies that involve meditation, prayer, and offerings

  • Shrine - a room or part of a room which contains a Buddha rupa, candles, an incense burner, and sometimes other offerings

Common misconception

The Buddharupa is worshipped by Buddhists.

The Buddharupa serves as a focal point for concentration and a source of inspiration and spiritual guidance to follow the Buddha's Dhamma.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Buddha rupa, artefacts and offerings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teach pupils about Buddhist places of worship and puja to consolidate the learning in this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
A is a Buddhist monastery that often includes living quarters for monks.
Correct Answer: vihara, Vihara
Q2.
What is a stupa used for in Buddhism?
for cooking
Correct answer: for sacred relics
for teaching art
Q3.
The Sutta encourages Buddhists to learn and follow the teachings of the Dhamma.
Correct Answer: Kimsila, kimsila
Q4.
Why do Buddhists make offerings at shrines?
to become wealthy
to worship the Buddha
Correct answer: to show gratitude and respect
Q5.
Lay Buddhists may attend classes to develop mindfulness and follow the Dhamma.
Correct Answer: meditation, Meditation

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Match each term to its meaning.
Correct Answer:Buddha,an awakened or enlightened person

an awakened or enlightened person

Correct Answer:Buddha rupa,an image or statue of the Buddha or a being who attained Buddhahood

an image or statue of the Buddha or a being who attained Buddhahood

Correct Answer:shrine,an area which contains a Buddha rupa, candles or an incense burner

an area which contains a Buddha rupa, candles or an incense burner

Q2.
Objects of help Buddhists focus during worship and meditation.
Correct Answer: devotion, Devotion
Q3.
Why do Buddhists not worship Buddha rupas as a god?
they prefer to worship God
worship is forbidden
Correct answer: Buddhism does not believe in a creator god
Q4.
Buddhist artefacts are used during ' ' (worship) to help practitioners concentrate.
Correct Answer: puja, Puja
Q5.
How does a Buddha rupa help Buddhists follow the Dhamma?
by providing shelter
Correct answer: by symbolising the Buddha’s example
by leading prayers