Arhat ideals
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Buddhist beliefs on Arhat ideals, why they are important, and how they influence Buddhists today.
Key learning points
- The Theravada Arhat path is sometimes called the 'lesser vehicle', but this is less common due to negative connotations.
- Theravada Buddhism is one of the oldest schools of Buddhism.
- Theravada Buddhism see the Arhat path as leading to enlightenment, reaching the goal of Nirvana, the end of suffering.
- An Arhat sees pleasure as a distraction and aims to completely remove craving and desires.
- The Arhat path influences Theravada Buddhists to seek perfection in understanding and enacting the Buddha's teachings.
Keywords
Enlightenment - a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence
Human destiny - the path a Buddhist will take to achieve enlightenment
Theravada - the school of Buddhism mainly found in Sri Lanka and Thailand; it is an older tradition than Mahayana
Arhat - a perfected person; in Theravada Buddhism, this is a term for a person who has become enlightened
Common misconception
The Arhat path is followed by all Buddhists.
The Arhat path is followed by most Theravada Buddhists.
Teacher tip
Pupils could research some examples of well known Arhats.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Buddhists believe that when a being dies, they are into a new life based on their actions in the previous life.
Q2.In Buddhism, actions and intentions determine one’s future experiences, and this is known as ...
Q3.What is the goal of achieving positive karma in Buddhism?
Q4.How do most Buddhists aim to accumulate positive karma?
Q5.What does the term “samsara” refer to in Buddhist belief?
Q6.What role does compassion (karuna) play in Buddhism?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the ultimate goal of an Arhat?
Q2.Which practice is essential to becoming an Arhat?
Q3.What does ‘Theravada’ mean?
Q4.Why do some Theravada Buddhists avoid the term ‘Hinayana’?
Q5.Why do many Theravada Buddhists follow monastic life?
Q6.Theravada Buddhists believe that the Arhat path enables an individual to escape ...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Arhat ideals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Arhat ideals, 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: Beliefs and teachings unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.