Year 10 - Religious education
The Four Noble Truths: the Three Poisons
Buddhism: Beliefs and teachings
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will examine key beliefs in Buddhism. They will examine key concepts such as dhamma and the idea of the human condition. They will gain an understanding of Buddhist ideas about suffering and the way to end it. They will also examine the story of Gautama Buddha.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the Three Poisons, why knowing how they cause suffering is important and how this influences Buddhists today.
Key Notes
- The Three Poisons are represented on the Wheel of Life as greed (cockerel), ignorance (pig) and hatred (snake).
- Buddhist teachings say that the Three Poisons are the root of suffering (dukkha).
- There are diverse interpretations between Buddhists about the Wheel of Life and the Three Poisons.
- It is important that Buddhists understand the Three Poisons so they can be avoided.
- Belief in the Three Poisons influences Buddhists' thoughts, beliefs and actions in different ways.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Three Poisons: causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed and hatred
- ignorance: the inability to see things as they really are
- greed: the attachment to material things and the ongoing selfish desire for more
- hatred: a feeling of intense dislike, anger; wishing others harm
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Buddhists interpret and respond to the Three Poisons in the same way.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Three Poisons are represented on the Wheel of Life as greed (cockerel), ignorance (pig) and hatred (snake). Buddhist teachings say that the Three Poisons are the root of suffering (dukkha).
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Three Poisons'
causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed and hatred.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Buddhists interpret and respond to the Three Poisons in the same way. Correction: How Buddhists interpret and respond to the Three Poisons depends on the school of Buddhism they follow.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Arhat ideals Study Guide
- Bodhisattva ideals Study Guide
- Human personality Study Guide
- Karma and rebirth Study Guide
- Mahayana: the Six Perfections Study Guide
- The Buddha Study Guide
- The Buddhist Threefold Way Study Guide
- The Dhamma Study Guide
- The Four Noble Truths: suffering Study Guide
- The Four Noble Truths: the Eightfold Path Study Guide
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