The Four Noble Truths: the Eightfold Path
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the Eightfold Path, why it is important and how it influences Buddhists.
Key learning points
- The final Noble Truth is the Eightfold Path, known as the Middle Way by many Buddhists.
- Many Buddhists will follow the Eightfold Path as a way to achieve enlightenment, escape samsara and reach Nirvana.
- Each part of the path can help a Buddhist end suffering.
- The Eightfold Path is important because it offers the way to develop wisdom and mental training.
- The Eightfold Path influences Buddhists to lead a good ethical life.
Keywords
The Eightfold Path (magga) - also known as ‘the Middle Way,’ it includes the way to wisdom and mental training
Enlightenment - a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence
The Four Noble Truths - an important part of the Buddha’s teachings, explaining the truth about existence
Nirvana - liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth
Dhammapada - a Buddhist source of wisdom and authority
Common misconception
The Eightfold Path is a set of steps to be followed in a strict, linear order.
The Eightfold Path is more like a guide that can be practiced simultaneously and in an integrated way. Buddhists don’t have to master one step before moving to another; instead, they work on all aspects together.
Teacher tip
Notify the pupils that the Eightfold Path is the Three-fold Way divided into three sections.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Three Poisons: greed, hatred, and are the root causes of suffering in Buddhism.
Q2.The Three Poisons are often depicted on the Tibetan of Life.
Q3.According to the Buddha, how should hatred be overcome?
Q4.How might a Buddhist try to overcome ignorance?
Q5.Why are the Three Poisons important in Buddhism?
Q6.Which of these actions would a Buddhist take to reduce the influence of greed?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Another name for the Eightfold Path is the Way.
Q2.The teachings on the Eightfold can be found in the Dhammapada.
Q3.How does the Eightfold Path help Buddhists?
Q4.Which of the following is an example of Right livelihood?
Q5.What does Right effort encourage Buddhists to do?
Q6.What is the ultimate goal of following the Eightfold Path?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The Four Noble Truths: the Eightfold Path, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The Four Noble Truths: the Eightfold Path, 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.