New
New
Year 10
AQA

The five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given

I can explain the moral precepts to not take life and what is not given and why these teachings are important.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

The five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given

I can explain the moral precepts to not take life and what is not given and why these teachings are important.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The five precepts are linked to kamma and produce good consequences when completed.
  2. The precept to not take life includes all living beings, not just human life.
  3. The precept to not take what is not given means not stealing because taking from others causes suffering.
  4. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

Sensitive content: this lesson references adultery and sexual exploitation.
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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

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is not part of the Eightfold Path?
Right understanding
Right speech
Correct answer: Right desire
Q2.
Which of these is the first step in the Eightfold Path?
Right action
Correct answer: Right understanding
Right speech
Q3.
What does 'dukkha' refer to in Buddhism?
the absence of self
Correct answer: suffering or unsatisfactoriness in life
the cycle of birth, death and rebirth
Q4.
The Eightfold Path encourages the development of 'Right ', which includes mental discipline.
Correct Answer: Effort, effort
Q5.
Which of the following best describes 'anatta'?
the belief in an eternal soul or self
the impermanent nature of all things
Correct answer: the idea that there is no permanent self or soul

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
One reason Buddhists follow the five moral precepts is to reduce in themselves and others.
Correct Answer: suffering, Suffering
Q2.
Buddhism teaches that taking what is not given causes harm and leads to attachment to material things, which creates suffering in this .
Correct Answer: life, Life
Q3.
What is the purpose of living according to the five moral precepts?
to follow strict religious laws
to earn blessings from the Buddha
Correct answer: to live ethically and reduce suffering
Q4.
What does the precept ‘do not take life’ refer to?
only human life
Correct answer: all living beings
only animals
Q5.
Why is stealing discouraged in Buddhism?
Correct answer: it causes suffering to others
it leads to criminal charges
it shows disloyalty to monks
Q6.
What do the five precepts encourage Buddhists to avoid?
meditation and silence
excessive generosity
Correct answer: unskilful actions and attachments