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Year 11
Eduqas

Buddhism, human rights and social justice

I can explain how Buddhist teachings guide attitudes and actions towards human rights and social justice.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Buddhism, human rights and social justice

I can explain how Buddhist teachings guide attitudes and actions towards human rights and social justice.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Buddhists believe all life has dignity and must be respected through compassion and non-harming.
  2. The Five Precepts and the Eightfold Path guide Buddhists to protect human rights and act ethically.
  3. Living according to the dhamma means taking practical steps to relieve suffering and promote fairness in society.
  4. Buddhists believe social justice is part of spiritual practice, not separate from personal development.
  5. Organisations like Rokpa show how Buddhist values of compassion and equality can be put into practice.

Keywords

  • Dhamma (dharma) - the teachings of the Buddha

  • Five precepts - five basic ethical guidelines for Buddhists

  • Metta (loving-kindness) - a pure love which is selfless

  • Right action - acting in a loving and peaceful way, part of the Eightfold Path

  • Rokpa - a Buddhist charity that tackles social injustice

Common misconception

Buddhism focuses on personal development.

While personal spiritual growth is important in Buddhism, Buddhists are also taught to show compassion to others and to act to relieve suffering in society, making social action an essential part of their practice.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Buddhism, human rights and social justice, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Link Buddhist principles like compassion and non-harm to issues students care about today, such as bullying, poverty, or fairness in their own communities.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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.
What is the main symbol of Buddhism and what does it represent?

Correct answer: The Dharma wheel, symbolising the Eightfold Path.
The lotus flower, symbolising wealth and power.
The Bodhi tree, symbolising the birth of the Buddha.

Q2.
Why is the Buddha considered important in Buddhism?

He ruled a powerful kingdom with wisdom.
He performed miracles to prove his divine power.
Correct answer: He reached enlightenment and taught the path to end suffering.

Q3.
What does “Dukkha” mean in Buddhism?

happiness
Correct answer: unsatisfactory life
wisdom

Q4.
Which of these is the correct order of the Four Noble Truths?

Suffering, end of suffering, cause of suffering, path
Cause, suffering, path, end
Correct answer: Suffering, cause, end, path

Q5.
Which of the following best shows the Buddhist idea of impermanence (anicca)?

Correct answer: Everything in life is constantly changing and never permanent.
People are born with a fixed soul that never changes.
Meditation allows people to become immortal.

Q6.
“Right View” in the Eightfold Path refers to understanding which of the following?

How to read ancient texts.
Correct answer: The Four Noble Truths and karma.
How to speak foreign languages.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
“He who life, tells lies, takes what is not given to him … digs up his own roots even in this very life.”

Correct Answer: destroys, Destroys

Q2.
“He who has gone for to the Buddha … penetrates the Four Noble Truths … ”

Correct Answer: refuge, Refuge

Q3.
What does the Buddhist principle of metta mean?

Avoiding negative karma.
Correct answer: Loving-kindness towards all beings.
Meditation in silence.

Q4.
What is the purpose of the Five Precepts?

Correct answer: To guide ethical and moral behaviour.
To improve physical health.
To follow government laws.

Q5.
How does Rokpa put Buddhist values into action?

Through animal rescue services.
By building temples across the East.
Correct answer: By helping the poor and promoting equality.

Q6.
Buddhism is only about personal spiritual development.

Correct answer: False, Buddhists also act to reduce suffering in others.
True, Buddhists focus only on themselves.
True, helping others is not part of Buddhist practice