Starter quiz
- Put the Four Sights in the order that Siddhartha saw them in.
- 1⇔an old man
- 2⇔a sick man
- 3⇔a dead body
- 4⇔an ascetic
- What was Siddhartha Gautama’s title before he became the Buddha?
- King
- Prince ✓
- Monk
- Priest
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- Why did Siddhartha Gautama’s father keep him inside the palace?
- he wanted Siddhartha to become a great warrior
- he wanted to prevent him from seeing suffering ✓
- he believed Siddhartha was too weak to travel
- he was worried that Siddhartha would become an entertainer
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- Which of the following best describes the concept of anicca in Buddhism?
- everything is permanent and unchanging
- all life involves suffering
- there is no fixed self or soul
- everything is impermanent and constantly changing ✓
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- The Three Marks of Existence are dukkha, anicca, and ______.
- 'anatta' ✓
- The story of ______ and the Chariot is used to explain the Buddhist concept of anatta.
- 'Nagasena' ✓
Exit quiz
- Match each of the Noble Truths to its definition.
- dukkha⇔suffering and unsatisfactoriness in life ✓
- samudaya⇔the cause of suffering ✓
- nirodha⇔the end of suffering ✓
- magga⇔the path to end suffering ✓
- The three poisons that cause suffering are ignorance, hatred and ______.
- 'greed' ✓
- What does the third Noble Truth (nirodha) teach?
- that suffering is unavoidable
- that suffering is a punishment
- that suffering is caused by bad actions
- that suffering can end ✓
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- Which of the following is the second Noble Truth?
- the Eightfold Path
- the Buddha’s past life stories
- the importance of meditation
- the cause of suffering ✓
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- Which teaching is described as ‘The Middle Way’?
- the Three Poisons
- the Eightfold Path ✓
- the Five Precepts
- the Four Sights
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- According to Buddhist beliefs, how can suffering (dukkha) be ended?
- by ignoring it
- by following the Eightfold Path ✓
- by performing rituals
- by achieving material wealth
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- One of the most important teachings of the Buddha are the Four Noble Truths, which explain suffering and its end.
- The analogy of a doctor is a common way to understand these teachings and involves observation, cause and cure.
- Ignorance, greed and hatred - known as the three poisons - are explained as the cause of suffering.
- The Four Noble Truths influence Buddhists to act in different ways, including avoiding attachments and cravings.
- The Eighfold Path contains guiding principles which will help Buddhists achieve this.
Common misconception
The Buddha's teachings on suffering are negative and pessimistic.
Buddhists would argue that the teachings are realistic. Knowing and understanding the reality of suffering releases them from that suffering.
Keywords
The four noble truths - an important part of the Buddha’s teachings, explaining the truth about existence
The three poisons - causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed, and hate
The eightfold path - the Fourth Noble Truth, known as ‘The Middle Way’
Dukkha - a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness
Dhammapada - a source of wisdom and authority that includes some of the most famous teachings of the Buddha
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