The five moral precepts: senses, falsehoods or intoxicants
I can explain the moral precepts: to avoid misusing the senses, speaking falsely and using intoxicants, and their importance to Buddhists today.
The five moral precepts: senses, falsehoods or intoxicants
I can explain the moral precepts: to avoid misusing the senses, speaking falsely and using intoxicants, and their importance to Buddhists today.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Not misusing the senses can include seeking base pleasures.
- The most common application includes adultery.
- Not speaking falsehoods includes lying but also gossiping.
- Many Buddhists will interpret this as not drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs.
- This is because they impact the way you think and decisions you make.
Keywords
Ethics/ethical - relating to moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes
Falsehoods - refers to untrue statements
Intoxicants - a substance such as alcohol that produces feelings of pleasure in a person
Moral - concerned with the principles or beliefs about what is right and wrong; includes following the five moral precepts
The five moral precepts - 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: senses, falsehoods or intoxicants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: The five moral precepts: senses, falsehoods or intoxicants, 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.
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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.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
avoid harming all living beings
respect others’ belongings
the means to reduce suffering and live ethically