Starter quiz
- The final Noble Truth is known as the ______, and guides Buddhists towards enlightenment.
- 'Eightfold Path' ✓
- In Buddhist teachings, the animal that represents greed and selfish desire on the Wheel of Life is the ______.
- 'Cockerel' ✓
- How do most Buddhists practise the Eightfold Path?
- by following each stage in order, one at a time
- by focusing only on meditation
- by practising all stages at the same time ✓
- by choosing only the easiest stages to follow
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- Which of these is an example of 'Right livelihood'?
- becoming a soldier
- selling alcohol
- working in a hospital ✓
- running a gambling business
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- In Buddhist teachings, which animal represents ignorance?
- the pig ✓
- the snake
- the cockerel
- the monkey
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- What do the Three Poisons lead to, according to Buddhist teachings?
- enlightenment
- dukkha (suffering) ✓
- rebirth in the Pure Land
- nirvana
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Exit quiz
- Which of these is part of the 'ethics' section of the Threefold Way?
- Right livelihood ✓
- Right effort
- Right concentration
- Right intention
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- The Threefold Way is a simplified version of the Eightfold Path, divided into three sections: ethics, meditation, and ______.
- 'wisdom' ✓
- Which of these best describes the role of meditation (samadhi) in the Threefold Way?
- following moral guidelines
- gaining insight into reality
- training the mind to develop concentration ✓
- helping others in daily life
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- Which of these is part of the wisdom (panna) section of the Threefold Way?
- Right effort
- Right mindfulness
- Right intention ✓
- Right speech
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- Why is ethics (sila) important in the Threefold Way?
- it helps Buddhists gain good kamma and reduce suffering ✓
- it teaches Buddhists how to meditate correctly
- it encourages Buddhists to isolate themselves from others
- It allows Buddhists to focus only on personal enlightenment
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- How does the Threefold Way help Buddhists reach enlightenment?
- it encourages Buddhists to focus only on meditation
- it provides a structured approach combining wisdom, ethics and meditation ✓
- it allows Buddhists to focus only on moral actions and happiness
- it suggests that wisdom alone is enough for enlightenment
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Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- This is another name for the Eightfold Path, split into categories.
- It contains the three aspects: ethics, meditation and wisdom.
- Right action, speech and livelihood are a part of 'ethics'.
- Right mindfulness, effort and concentration come under 'meditation'.
- Right view and intention are categorised as 'wisdom'.
Common misconception
The Threefold Way categories can be practiced independently or in isolation.
Each element strengthens the others. They are not isolated practices but interconnected stages on the path to attaining nibbana (nirvana), liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Keywords
The threefold way - the three divisions of the Eightfold Path: ethics, meditation, and wisdom
Nibbana (nirvana) - the belief that individuals can achieve a state of perfect peace where they experience liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth
Wisdom (panna) - insight into the true nature of reality
Ethics (sila) - moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes
Meditation (samadhi) - a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness