The five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the moral precepts to not take life and what is not given and why these teachings are important.
Key learning points
- The five precepts are linked to kamma and produce good consequences when completed.
- The precept to not take life includes all living beings, not just human life.
- The precept to not take what is not given means not stealing because taking from others causes suffering.
- The five precepts are important to reduce suffering (dukkha) and demonstrate compassion.
Keywords
Ethics/ethical - relating to moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes
Moral - concerned with the principles or beliefs about what is right and wrong; includes following the five moral precepts
The five precepts (panchasila) - an important part of Buddhist ethics; part of the Eightfold Path (right action)
Common misconception
The five moral precepts are strict 'rules' or commandments that must be followed rigidly, like laws in some religious traditions.
The five moral precepts are not seen as absolute commandments imposed by an external authority, but rather as guidelines or principles for ethical living.
Teacher tip
Sensitive content: this lesson references adultery and sexual exploitation.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is not part of the Eightfold Path?
Q2.Which of these is the first step in the Eightfold Path?
Q3.What does 'dukkha' refer to in Buddhism?
Q4.The Eightfold Path encourages the development of 'Right ', which includes mental discipline.
Q5.Which of the following best describes 'anatta'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.One reason Buddhists follow the five moral precepts is to reduce in themselves and others.
Q2.Buddhism teaches that taking what is not given causes harm and leads to attachment to material things, which creates suffering in this .
Q3.What is the purpose of living according to the five moral precepts?
Q4.What does the precept ‘do not take life’ refer to?
Q5.Why is stealing discouraged in Buddhism?
Q6.What do the five precepts encourage Buddhists to avoid?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given, 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.