Compassion and loving-kindness
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the significance of compassion and loving-kindness and how Buddhists might develop it today.
Key learning points
- Compassion (karuna) is a significant quality to develop and forms part of the four sublime states.
- Compassion is significant in Mahayana Buddhism because it's a quality Buddhists need to develop to become a Bodhisattva.
- Wisdom must be developed alongside compassion.
- Loving-kindness is known as 'metta' in Buddhism.
- Developing loving-kindness is important because it helps avoid greed and hatred, which form part of the three poisons.
Keywords
Compassion (karuna) - sympathy and concern for the suffering of others
Loving-kindness (metta) - a pure love which is selfless and not possessive
The four sublime states - four qualities the Buddha taught should be developed
Common misconception
Compassion (karuna) and loving-kindness (metta) are the same thing.
Loving-kindness is a pure love, selfless and not possessive. For example, wanting your friend to be happy without wanting anything in return. Compassion might arise if your friend is suffering and you want to help them and reduce their suffering.
Teacher tip
Research the Karuna Trust charity to consolidate the learning in this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Buddhists believe that a person is after death, continuing the cycle of samsara.
Q2.What do Buddhists hope to achieve by escaping samsara?
Q3.Why is acting with compassion (karuna) important in Buddhism?
Q4.What do most Mahayana Buddhists aim for after gaining enlightenment?
Q5.Which of the following is one of the Five Moral Precepts?
Q6.What is a common misunderstanding about karma and rebirth in Buddhism?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Compassion, known as in Buddhism, is the desire to help relieve the suffering of others.
Q2.Loving-kindness is known as in Buddhism and is a quality Buddhists try to develop for all beings.
Q3.Why is compassion (karuna) especially important in Mahayana Buddhism?
Q4.What is one way Buddhists might develop loving-kindness (metta)?
Q5.What is a common mistake people make about karuna and metta?
Q6.What is the difference between karuna and metta?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Compassion and loving-kindness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Compassion and loving-kindness, 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.