New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Devotional practices

I can explain the role and significance of chanting and mantras in devotional practices for Buddhists today.

New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Devotional practices

I can explain the role and significance of chanting and mantras in devotional practices for Buddhists today.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Chanting and mantra recitation are ways of learning and showing devotion to the Buddha's Dhamma.
  2. Chanting the Three Jewels (Triratna) is common to many schools of Buddhism.
  3. Many Buddhists use malas to count mantras or breaths in meditation.
  4. Mantra recitation is believed to evoke enlightenment.

Keywords

  • Chanting - singing or rhythmic repetition of a word, prayer, or sound

  • Malas - strings of beads used as a prayer aid

  • Mantra recitation - a short sequence of words or syllables chanted repetitively as a form of meditation

  • The Three Jewels (Triratna) - refers to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha

Common misconception

Chanting and mantras in Buddhism bring instant blessings or results just by saying the words.

Chanting and mantras help Buddhists to focus the mind, develop qualities like compassion and evoke enlightenment.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Devotional practices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Listen to audio clips of Buddhists chanting key texts or mantras to consolidate the learning in this lesson.
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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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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to the correct meaning.
Correct Answer:Bodhisattva,a being who delays enlightenment to help others

a being who delays enlightenment to help others

Correct Answer:Buddha,an awakened or enlightened being

an awakened or enlightened being

Correct Answer:mandala,a sacred, circular pattern used in meditation

a sacred, circular pattern used in meditation

Q2.
Why do Pure Land Buddhists visualise Amitabha Buddha?
to improve their drawing skills
to impress other Buddhists
Correct answer: to focus on a future rebirth in the Pure Land
Q3.
What quality is Avalokiteshvara most associated with?
Correct answer: compassion
wisdom
strength
Q4.
What do Buddhists aim to awaken through visualisation?
their artistic skills
Correct answer: their Buddha-nature
their memories
Q5.
Which Buddhist tradition uses mandalas and visualisation the most?
Theravada
Zen
Correct answer: Mahayana
Q6.
What is a common misunderstanding about the practice of visualising Buddhas and Bodhisattvas?
that it’s only for monks
that it must be done silently
Correct answer: that it’s just imaginary

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Many Buddhists begin their chanting by taking refuge in the Three .
Correct Answer: Jewels, jewels
Q2.
Malas are strings of prayer used to help Buddhists during meditation.
Correct Answer: beads, Beads
Q3.
What do Buddhists take refuge in when chanting the Three Jewels?
karma, rebirth and the Sangha
Correct answer: the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha
meditation, wisdom and temples
Q4.
Why do Buddhists use malas during meditation?
Correct answer: to keep track of breathing or chants
to decorate the shrine
to write down scriptures
Q5.
What is the purpose of chanting mantras?
Correct answer: to develop qualities like compassion
to impress other Buddhists
to show knowledge of Buddhist teachings
Q6.
What is a common misconception about chanting and mantras?
that they are only used during festivals
Correct answer: that they instantly bring blessings
that they must be in English