Starter quiz
- Match each category of the Threefold Way to one of its practices.
- wisdom (panna)⇔Right understanding ✓
- ethics (sila)⇔Right speech ✓
- meditation (samadhi)⇔Right concentration ✓
- What is the Threefold Way?
- a simplified version of the Eightfold Path ✓
- a Buddhist chant
- a type of Buddhist meditation
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- What does Right speech mean in Buddhism?
- saying whatever you feel
- speaking honestly and kindly ✓
- avoiding all conversations
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- Why is ethics (sila) important in the Threefold Way?
- It helps Buddhists act in a moral and peaceful way. ✓
- It is the only way to reach enlightenment.
- It allows Buddhists to ignore wisdom and meditation.
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- How does meditation (samadhi) help Buddhists?
- It allows them to avoid ethical behaviour.
- It helps with no focus and awareness.
- It helps develop focus and awareness. ✓
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- The belief in ______ is that individuals can achieve a state of perfect peace, free from suffering and rebirth.
- 'nibbana' ✓
Exit quiz
- The ______ Path is also known as The Middle Way, as it avoids extremes of self-indulgence and self-denial.
- 'Eightfold' ✓
- Nibbana means liberation from ______, the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
- 'samsara' ✓
- Which Buddhist text contains teachings on Nibbana?
- the Bhagavad Gita
- the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ✓
- the Hadith
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- How does a Bodhisattva relate to Nibbana?
- A Bodhisattva postpones their own enlightenment to help others. ✓
- A Bodhisattva immediately escapes samsara.
- A Bodhisattva rejects the idea of Nibbana.
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- What is the role of the Eightfold Path in reaching Nibbana?
- It shows Buddhists how to escape suffering. ✓
- It is only for monks and nuns.
- It is optional for enlightenment.
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- According to the Dhammapada, how should hatred be overcome?
- by responding with hatred
- by showing compassion and non-hatred ✓
- by avoiding people who hate
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The end of suffering and ability to reach Nibbana is the Fourth Noble Truth.
- The Four Noble Truths help Buddhists understand what is meant by 'The Middle Way'.
- The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta contains teaching on key Buddhist beliefs including Nibbana.
- Most Buddhists believe Nibbana is the end of suffering and can be attained by all people.
- Reaching Nibbana may depend on how fully you enact the Eightfold Path.
Common misconception
Nibbana (Nirvana) is a Buddhist view of heaven.
Nibbana is the cessation of suffering, craving and ignorance. It is the end of the cycle of rebirth and the realisation of true peace and freedom.
Keywords
Bodhisattva - a being destined for enlightenment, who postpones their final escape from samsara to help others
The eightfold path - the Fourth Noble Truth, known as ‘The Middle Way’
Nibbana/nirvana - liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth
Enlightenment - a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence
Samsara - the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth
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