Contents . . . .
Introduction
1
Comparative Worksheets for the Six Religions in the Series
4
What is Religion?
Teachersʼ Notes for the Comparative Worksheets
Buddhism Wordbook
3
17
18
Letʼs Brainstorm Buddhism
19
What is Buddhism and Who was the Buddha?
21
Summary of Buddhism at a Glance
The Story of the Buddha
The Buddhaʼs Enlightenment
20
23
26
The Buddhaʼs Enlightenment - The Bodhi Tree
27
The History of Buddhism
29
Buddhist Countries Today
What do Buddhists Believe?
28
30
Dukkha - The World of Suffering
31
The Three Universal Truths
34
The Story of Kisagotami
The Four Noble Truths
The Noble Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path Matching Game
The Noble Eightfold Path and the Ten Commandments
The Five Promises or Precepts
Holy Text
The Jataka Tales - The Doe Who Saved her Husbandʼs Life
- The Prince of Monkeys
33
35
36
47
49
50
52
53
55
Buddhist Places of Worship
57
Buddhist Monasteries or Viharas
58
Meditation
64
Rebirth and the Afterlife
68
Important People - Buddhist Monks
70
Buddhist Worship
The Mandala
Food
Important People - The Dalai Lama
60
66
69
72
Buddhist Symbols
73
Festivals - Wesak
75
Pilgrimage
74
Other Festivals
76
A - Z of Buddhism
78
Buddhism General Knowledge Quiz
83
Customs and Rituals
The Buddhism Matching Game
Teachersʼ Notes
77
80
84
WHAT IS BUDDHISM AND WHO WAS THE BUDDHA?
Buddhism is the religion of the Buddhists. It
was founded in Nepal, India, about 2,500
years ago by an Indian Hindu prince called
Siddhartha Gautama. This man became
known as the Buddha, which means ʻthe
one who has gained enlightenmentʼ. He
taught others about what he had
discovered about life.
The symbol of Buddhism is the Wheel
of Life. It has eight spokes in the wheel,
which represents the Noble Eightfold Path. The
Buddha discovered this Eightfold Path when he
gained enlightenment. He taught it to others.
1.
2.
3.
Buddhism is split into two main groups:
Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada
Buddhists believe that the Buddha was
only a man, and by becoming a monk and
following his examples and teachings
others can achieve enlightenment too.
Mahayana Buddhists believe that
people do not have to become
monks, but achieving enlightenment
depends on the good deeds they
have performed in life.
Buddhism spread throughout the world. There
are about 350 million Buddhists worldwide.
Read the passage above and answer the questions below:
is the religion of the Buddhists.
Who was the Buddha before he gained enlightenment?
What is the symbol of Buddhism? Describe what it is like and
draw a picture of it.
Wordbook
Add these words to your
Buddhism wordbook and
write a definition for each:
BUDDHIST
BUDDHISM
BUDDHA
SYMBOL
One of the things that the Buddha taught was not to harm other living things. Read
the story below about an early experience the Buddha had when he was a young boy.
Illustrate the story, writing a title for each section. Use the template on page 22 to
help you.
Siddhartha loved all living creatures. One day he was walking in the woods with his cousin,
Devadatta, who carried a bow and arrow with him. Seeing a swan fly overhead, he took aim and
shot it. Both boys ran quickly to where the swan had fallen, Siddhartha reaching it first. The swan
was still alive and Siddhartha gently drew the arrow out of its wing.
Taking some leaves he squeezed the juice from them on to the wound to
stop the bleeding. Then he spoke comforting words to calm the frightened bird.
Devadatta came up and said the swan was his and that he must have it.
Siddhartha refused. ʻIf you had killed it, it would have been yours,ʼ he said,
ʻbut it is only wounded and, since I have saved its life, it belongs to me.ʼ
They argued on and on until Siddhartha suggested asking the wise men of the palace to help.
When they heard the story, the verdict was: ʻA life must belong to the boy who tries to save it. A
life cannot be claimed by one who wants to destroy it. Siddhartha has the right to take the
wounded swan.ʼ So Siddhartha looked after the swan until it recovered and flew away.
21
THE BUDDHA’S ENLIGHTENMENT - The Bodhi Tree
Buddhists believe that Siddhartha Gautama,
the founder of Buddhism, found enlightenment while meditating
under a fig tree. He sat quietly to think.
The tree became known as the Bodhi Tree,
which means the Tree of Enlightenment.
All Bodhi Trees are holy to Buddhists and they are grown
next to temples and shrines. Bodhi Day is the 8th December,
and celebrates the birth of Buddhism.
Build your own class tree in a quiet corner. Put cushions under the tree and use
this area as a quiet place to think or to read.
What you will need:
Newspaper
Sticky tape or staple gun
Brown or coloured paper
Drawing and crepe paper
Scissors
Wire
Paint
What to do:
1. Build the trunk first. Use
scrunched up paper and
attach it to the wall with
sticky tape or staples.
2. Cover the trunk with the
brown or corrugated paper
and paint it, if necessary.
3. Branches can be made out
of newspaper rolls and
painted. They can be
secured with tape, wire or
a staple gun.
4. Cut out leaves and make
blossom using crepe paper
to attach to the branches.
Trees are important in many religions. In Hinduism, the Asvattha is a special tree. The branches
represent the arms of the gods. In Judaism and Christianity, the Tree of Knowledge is important
as this is where Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
Find out about the special trees in these and other religions. Make a book about
them.
27
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH - Sheet 1
The Buddha said that by following the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path people
could reach Nirvana. Buddhists believe that if they follow the Buddhaʼs teachings well they will
reach Nirvana. This is the goal of Buddhism.
The Buddha said that you could not reach Nirvana by living a life of luxury, or by living a life of
deliberate poverty and starvation. The Buddha himself had tried to do both in his life. He taught his
followers that they should follow a Middle Way. He said that the Middle Way had eight parts and
that each part must be followed. This Middle Way is called the Noble Eightfold Path. The eight steps
are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
RIGHT UNDERSTANDING
RIGHT THOUGHT
RIGHT SPEECH
RIGHT ACTION
RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
RIGHT EFFORT
RIGHT AWARENESS
RIGHT MEDITATION
Match the eight steps above to the correct descriptions below.
Buddhists must think about the kind of life that they lead, in order to
follow the Eightfold Path and to live a caring and unselfish life.
Buddhists must train their minds to be calm and positive and to be
able to concentrate without getting distracted. The Buddha gained
enlightenment this way.
Buddhists must do a job to the best of their ability, that does not
harm others and is helpful. In other words, they should not, for
example, trade in deadly weapons, trade in animals for slaughter,
trade in poisons or slaves.
Buddhists must understand the Four Noble Truths: that life involves
suffering and change. Buddhists follow the Noble Path to overcome
suffering and to be happy.
Buddhists should behave and act in ways that respect living things,
other peopleʼs property, other peopleʼs feelings and themselves.
They should never steal or kill.
Buddhists should be able to control their minds to see things clearly.
They should be aware of themselves, their body, feelings and
thoughts. They should also be aware of other people and the world
around them.
Buddhists should do their best to avoid bad things and do good
things. They should try to avoid and prevent evil and make an effort
to do good to others as well as to encourage others to be good.
Buddhists should always speak in a kind, positive and helpful way
and speak the truth. They must never tell lies, or hurt others or
themselves by the things that they say.
36
Nirvana
Nirvana is neither life nor death. It is a state
where there is no greed, no suffering and
no anger. It frees people from the cycle of
death and rebirth. It is the aim of every
Buddhist to reach Nirvana, even if it takes
thousands of lifetimes.
HOLY TEXT
Jotaka is going to tell you about her religionʼs holy text.
Read what she says.
Our holy text is called the Tripitaka (ʻThree Basketsʼ) and is also known as
the Pali Canon. About 400 years after the Buddhaʼs death it was
written down by a number of monks. It is in three parts:
1. The teaching of the Buddha (Dharma).
2. A section explaining that teaching (Sutras).
3. A rulebook for monks and nuns. It contains 227 rules, and
instructions on ceremonies.
We study, chant, learn and discuss these texts, and they are
important to us. The Tripitaka contains hundreds of stories called
Jatakas, which are about the Buddhaʼs other lives, particularly as animals.
They are like parables or fables. They teach us how important good qualities are.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Read the clues below and write the correct answers horizontally in the grid. When
completed, write down what the grey vertical line reads.
The name of the Buddhist holy text which means ʻThree Basketsʼ.
The way that Buddhists say their holy texts aloud.
Buddhist monks and nuns have to follow these.
The name of the religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama.
The section of the holy text which explains the teachings of the Buddha.
Buddhists do this to understand the texts better.
The teaching of the Buddha.
The Buddha became this after he found enlightenment.
These are stories about the Buddhaʼs other lives as animals.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
The grey vertical line says:
52
Write as much as you know about this person.
Wordbook
Add these words to your
Buddhism wordbook, and
write a definition for each:
TRIPITAKA
SUTRAS
JATAKA
THE MANDALA
Mandalas are detailed pictures or patterns inside a circle. Tibetan Buddhists use mandalas to help
them meditate. In their minds they follow a way from the edge to the centre of the picture, like
following a map. Bright colours are used to represent the Buddhaʼs different virtues. Red is his
compassion, blue is the truth of his teaching and white is his purity. Other colours used are black,
yellow and green. The circle shape symbolises the Buddhist universe. In Tibet, monks make
mandalas from sand, butter and even modelling clay!
Two parts of the mandala have been drawn. Complete the patterns carefully so that
they match and make the mandala whole. You may find the use of a mirror and
compasses helpful. When the mandala is complete, colour it in.
Make your own mandala. Use the instructions below to help you.
You will need:
The mandala template, bright powder paints, and glue.
What to do:
1.
Cut out the template carefully.
2.
Glue the inner circles and sprinkle each one with a different coloured powder paint.
66
Introduction
Teachers’ Notes
A magnifying glass appears beside some activities. This shows that the
pupils will need to carry out some research of their own.
The book symbol occurs in these notes to show at a glance which
worksheets contain words to be added to the wordbooks.
Buddhism
Wordbook
Page 18
Letʼs Brainstorm
Buddhism
Page 19
Summary of
Buddhism at a
Glance
Page 20
Notes on the teaching and completion of each worksheet can be found in this
section, together with relevant answers. Detailed background information has also
been included for reference.
The aim of the wordbook is to develop pupilsʼ knowledge of the vocabulary
of Buddhism.
The wordbook allows pupils to collate consistently the large vocabulary of
Buddhist words in one place. The wordbook can be referred to repeatedly
throughout the study of Buddhism, helping to reinforce the vocabulary. For easy
reference, the words can be set out alphabetically and pupils should be
encouraged to write a definition for each word.
This sheet is a good way to gather information on Buddhism and it can be used at
the beginning of the study as a brainstorming activity with the whole class.
The activity works well if pupils are first of all divided into small groups. Then the
groups feed back any information that they may have to the rest of the class. (It
may be a good idea to ask pupils to do some initial research beforehand if
necessary - as a homework task for example). This information can then be
collated on the board. The worksheet can be completed at this stage or later.
This sheet allows pupils to record and summarise each area of the topic, recording
the most important facts and information as they study the religion. This can be
limited to a specific number of key facts if necessary. If used in this way, the
worksheet can run alongside the study of the topic.
Alternatively teachers may wish to use it solely at the end of the topic as a
knowledge reinforcement activity. It can also be used as an assessment of pupilsʼ
knowledge of the subject, and pupils should be encouraged to write as much as
they can about each area, using the back of the sheet if necessary.
The worksheet should be copied on to A3 size paper to make completion easier
and to allow more space for writing.
What is
Buddhism and
Who was the
Buddha?
Pages 21 - 22
84
Pupils will become aware that Buddhists believe that the Buddha was a
special teacher.
Pupils will gain awareness of the variety of types of Buddhism throughout
the world.
This worksheet is a very general introduction and summary of Buddhism. Pupils
are asked to read the passage and to answer the questions.
The Buddha taught Buddhists not to harm other living things. The story about the
swan, demonstrates to pupils this caring side of the Buddha. Pupils are asked to
illustrate the story, writing a title for each section. A template for this is provided
and should be enlarged to A3 size to make completion of this activity easier.
A list of new vocabulary is included, and pupils are encouraged to add these words
to their wordbooks.