Starter quiz
- The Eightfold Path ensures Buddhists follow a ______ path.
- 'balanced' ✓
- ______ means liberation from samsara.
- 'Nibbana' ✓
- The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta introduces the ______ Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
- Three
- Four
- Six
- Eight
-
- A Bodhisattva postpones their own ______ to help others.
- 'enlightenment' ✓
- The Eightfold Path shows Buddhists how to escape ______ and reach Nibbana.
- 'suffering' ✓
- The Dhammapada teaches that ______ is the way to break the cycle of hatred and suffering.
- 'compassion' ✓
Exit quiz
- Match the keywords to the correct definition
- form⇔physical form which includes the physical elements and physical organs ✓
- sensation⇔the feelings that arise from our sense organs ✓
- perception⇔how we perceive the world, the meaning we put on to what we experience ✓
- mental formations⇔mental activities which lead a person to actions and produce kamma ✓
- consciousness⇔the state of being aware of something ✓
- Which of these statements are true?
- The Five Aggregates represent a "self" or a "soul" that are permanent or fixed.
- The Five Aggregates are constantly changing, and none of them are permanent. ✓
- Buddhists believe in the Five Aggregates as well as a soul.
-
- What is the missing word? “_________ it is to live one day seeing the rise and fall of things than to live as hundred years without ever seeing the rise and fall of things. ”
- 'Better' ✓
- What is the Theravada tradition known as?
- The school of the elders ✓
- The great vehicle
- The great elders
- The school of the vehicle
-
- Which of the following are influences of the Five Aggregate teaching?
- It gives Buddhists a strong sense of self.
- It helps a Buddhist achieve Nibanna. ✓
- It helps support meditation. ✓
-
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In Theravada Buddhism, a human is understood to be a combination of five elements known as the Five Aggregates(Skandhas)
- A human is made up of Five Aggregates (Skandhas) – body, sensation, perception, thoughts and consciousness.
- This helps Buddhists to understand the concept of 'no-self'.
- Understanding the truth about existence and the self helps Buddhists understand ultimate reality.
- Theravada Buddhists are influenced by the Five Aggregates (Skandhas) to avoid attachments and cravings.
Common misconception
The Five Aggregates represent a "self" or a "soul" that are permanent or fixed.
The Five Aggregates are constantly changing, and none of them are permanent or fixed. Each aggregate is subject to impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta). They show that there is no independent, permanent self.
Keywords
Form - physical form which includes the physical elements and physical organs
Sensation - the feelings that arise from our sense organs
Perception - how we perceive the world, the meaning we put on to what we experience
Mental formations - mental activities which lead a person to actions and produce kamma (karma)
Consciousness - the state of being aware of something
+