Puja and mudras
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the role and significance of puja and mudras for Buddhists today.
Key learning points
- Puja is a devotional ritual that can be performed in different contexts.
- One feature of puja is performing offerings to the Buddha rupa.
- Performing puja shows commitment to following the Buddha's Dhamma.
- Mudras symbolise different Buddhist concepts or teachings.
- Mudras are often used by Buddhists during meditation or rituals.
Keywords
Buddha rupa - an image or statue of the historical Buddha or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood
Mudra - hand gesture of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, with symbolic meaning
Puja (devotional ritual) - the name given to ceremonies that involve meditation, prayer, and offerings
Common misconception
Puja in Buddhism is the worshipping of a god or gods, in the same way as in some other religions.
The Buddha is not a god, but a teacher who reached enlightenment. Puja is a way to show respect, devotion and strengthen commitment to the Buddhist path of enlightenment.
Teacher tip
Give pupils printed copies of the mudras so they can be annotated.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Dhammapada is a of wisdom and authority in Buddhism.
Q2.Match each keyword to its correct meaning.
a way to focus and memorise teachings
beads used during meditation
repeating sounds or words
the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha
Q3.What are malas used for in Buddhism?
Q4.Why do Buddhists chant the Three Jewels?
Q5.What does mantra recitation help Buddhists do?
Q6.What is a common misconception about chanting in Buddhism?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.During puja, Buddhists may offer three to represent the Three Jewels.
Q2.Puja can be performed in a temple, monastery, or at .
Q3.What is the main purpose of puja in Buddhism?
Q4.What does the dhyana mudra represent?
Q5.What does the abhaya mudra symbolise?
Q6.What is a common misunderstanding about puja?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Puja and mudras, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Puja and mudras, 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: Practices unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.