Forms of meditation: vipassana
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the nature, purpose and significance of vipassana meditation for Buddhists today.
Key learning points
- Vipassana meditation is one of the two main methods taught by the Buddha.
- Vipassana helps Buddhists gain insight into the true nature of reality as characterised by the three marks of existence.
- In the Yuganaddha Sutta, four possible paths to enlightenment are discussed.
- Vipassana was used by the Buddha as a way of eliminating ignorance and suffering (dukkha).
- Practising vipassana is a way to achieve enlightenment and attain Nibbana/Nirvana.
Keywords
Meditation - a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness
Samatha - calmness or breathing meditation
The three marks of existence - the belief that all life involves/is marked by three features: dukkha, anicca, anatta
Vipassana (insight) - ‘insight’ meditation enabling the individual to see the true nature of things
Common misconception
Vipassana meditation is primarily about relaxation or stress relief.
Vipassana meditation is aimed at cultivating insight into the nature of reality, specifically the impermanent, unsatisfactory, and non-self characteristics of all phenomena, known in Buddhism as the three marks of existence.
Teacher tip
Teach samatha meditation to consolidate the learning in this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How is samatha meditation often described?
Q2.What tool do some Buddhists use to focus during samatha meditation?
Q3.Which school of Buddhism mainly practises samatha meditation?
Q4.What benefit do many non-Buddhists gain from meditation?
Q5.Which of the following is not a goal of samatha meditation?
Q6.What is the aim of mettabhavana meditation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Vipassana meditation is used by Buddhists to help them achieve .
Q2.What is the main focus of vipassana meditation?
Q3.What are the three marks of existence that were taught by the Buddha?
Q4.According to the Yuganaddha Sutta, what did the Buddha teach about meditation?
Q5.Which form of meditation is focused on calming the mind?
Q6.Why is vipassana meditation significant to Buddhists?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Forms of meditation: vipassana, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Forms of meditation: vipassana, 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.
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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.