What did the Buddha seek to find?
In this unit you will be looking at who the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) was and what he taught.
You will look at some of his most famous teachings – the 4 Noble Truths and the 8 Fold Path. You will
also consider how these teachings and his life story help Buddhists to achieve enlightenment.
By the end of the topic you will have learnt:
Knowledge: Who Siddhartha Gautama was.
Understanding: What the 4 Noble Truths and The 8 Fold Path mean to Buddhists.
Evaluate: How Buddhists believe these teachings help them to reach enlightenment..
The lessons you will have are:
 1: Lesson Title: Who is Siddhartha Gautama?
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
 Know some details about the early life of Siddhartha Gautama.
 Understand that the Buddha was unhappy with a life of luxury.
 2: Lesson Title: How do sights that we see change our lives?
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
 Name the 4 sights that Siddhartha saw.
 Think of things we see in our own lives that change us for better or worse.
 3: Lesson Title: What does it mean to be enlightened?
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
 Explain what it means when someone says they are enlightened.
 Think of an “Enlightenment metaphor”.
 4: Lesson Title: What are the 4 Noble Truths?
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
 Know the 4 Buddhist terms: Dukkha, Tanha, Nirodha and Magga.
 Understand how these terms relate to life, according to the Buddha.
 5: Lesson Title: What is this Eight Spoked Wheel?
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
 Explain what the Buddha taught about each of the eight spokes or steps.
 Consider how pictures could be used to represent each of the eight steps.
 6: Lesson Title: What is the point of meditating?
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
 Explain what it means to meditate.
 Give reasons why meditating helps Buddhists to reach enlightenment.
Assessments:
No formal assessment for this unit
Homework:
Date Set
Date Due
1.
On your own, or in pairs present the life of the Buddha in any
way you like. This could be as a story board, or a written
piece.
2.
Write about an event/thing you have seen that has changed
you in some way (like the Buddha saw the 4 sights). Try to
write half a side in your book.
3.
Finish drawing/making your Enlightenment metaphor, as well
as completing the writing frame to explain it.
4.
Write a paragraph explaining whether you agree with the
Buddha’s 4 Noble Truths or if you have any criticisms of them.
Use examples to explain your reasons.
5.
Finish your Eight Fold Path pictures ready to present in your
pair at the start of next lesson. You will not only need to think
creatively to do this, but will have to organise your time as it
is a shared piece of work.
6.
Have a go at meditating for 3 minutes on your own. How easy
or difficult did you find doing this?
USE THE LIBRARY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR HOMEWORKS
AND ALSO THESE WEBSITES:
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/buddhism.htm
http://www.buddhanet.net/mag_kids.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/buddhism/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/index.shtml
http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/zenstory/zenstory.html
Key Words:
 Siddhartha Gautama
 Ascetic life style
 4 sights
 Enlightenment
 4 Noble Truths
 8 Fold Path
 Meditation
Extra words for you to write in: