Celebrations: origins and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana Day
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the origins of celebrations such as Wesak and Parinirvana, and the significance of these for Buddhists today.
Key learning points
- Wesak is a significant Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his enlightenment and death.
- Buddhists observe the festival in various ways depending on the country or school of Buddhism.
- Parinirvana Day is observed by Mahayana Buddhists and commemorates the Buddha’s death and his attainment of Nirvana.
- To deepen their spiritual practice, some Buddhists may also choose to attend retreats.
Keywords
Festival - a day or period of celebration
Parinirvana Day - a Mahayana festival which marks the Buddha’s death and when he achieved Nibbana
Retreat - a period of time spent away from everyday life to focus on meditation and practice
Wesak - a Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death
Common misconception
Wesak only celebrates the birth of the Buddha.
Wesak also commemorates the Buddha's enlightenment and final attainment of Nirvana (Nibbana).
Teacher tip
Watch video clips showing Buddhists celebrating Wesak and Parinirvana.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Buddha taught that life involves , which is explained in the Four Noble Truths.
Q2.The Path offers guidance on how Buddhists should live in order to reduce suffering and reach enlightenment.
Q3.Buddhists try to avoid the three of greed, hatred, and ignorance.
Q4.What does the term ‘Buddha’ mean?
Q5.What is the Sangha in Buddhism?
Q6.What is the goal of meditation in Buddhism?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is a special part of Wesak celebrations?
Q2.What is the main purpose of the ‘Bathing the Buddha’ ceremony?
Q3.What happens during the festival of Kathina?
Q4.Wesak only celebrates the birth of the Buddha.
Q5.What is the main purpose of Buddhist retreat?
Q6.When Buddhists make generous offerings, they are gaining positive for this life or the next.
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Celebrations: origins and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana Day, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Celebrations: origins and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana Day, 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: Practices unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.