Mahayana: the Six Perfections
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the Mahayana beliefs about the Six Perfections, why they are important and how they influence Buddhists.
Key learning points
- The Six Perfections (paramitas) must be cultivated to realise one's Buddha-nature.
- The Six Perfections can help a Buddhist live as a Bodhisattva, realise their Buddha-nature and attain enlightenment.
- The Mahayana school of Buddhism focuses on achieving enlightenment by becoming a Bodhisattva.
- The Six Perfections are: generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation and wisdom.
- The Six Perfections influence many Buddhists to lead a good ethical life.
Keywords
Mahayana - this school of Buddhism focuses on achieving enlightenment for the sake of all beings
The Six Perfections - ethical principles to lead a being to enlightenment
Buddha-nature - this refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can become enlightened
Bodhisattva - a being destined for enlightenment, who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings
Common misconception
The Six Perfections (paramitas) is a set of steps to be followed in a strict, linear order.
The Six Perfections are interconnected qualities that a Buddhist develops simultaneously throughout their life and practice.
Teacher tip
Ask pupils to consider how they or an individual might demonstrate the qualities of the Six Perfections (paramitas) in their own life.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Buddhist term to its correct description.
a being who stays in samsara to help others
the Buddha worshipped in Pure Land Buddhism
the Pure Land where Amitabha Buddha resides
a branch of Buddhism that emphasises the Bodhisattva path
Q2.What is the main focus of Pure Land Buddhism?
Q3.Which of these best describes a Bodhisattva?
Q4.What is the significance of Sukhavati in Pure Land Buddhism?
Q5.How do Pure Land Buddhists show devotion to Amitabha Buddha?
Q6.Why do many Mahayana Buddhists follow the Bodhisattva path?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main goal of Mahayana Buddhism?
Q2.Which of the following is one of the Six Perfections in Mahayana Buddhism?
Q3.What does developing the Six Perfections help a Bodhisattva achieve?
Q4.What is the quality of ‘energy’ in the Six Perfections?
Q5.Which of the following is a key aspect of the Bodhisattva’s role in Mahayana Buddhism?
Q6.One of these perfections is , which involves the practice of giving freely and sharing resources with others.
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Mahayana: the Six Perfections, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Mahayana: the Six Perfections, 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.