Year 10 - Religious education
Festivals and retreats
Buddhism: Practices
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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 practices in Buddhism such as puja and meditation. They will understand the considerable diversity of these practices among Buddhist adherents. Following that they wil look at the role of precepts and how these look different in Therevada and Mahayna Buddhism.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the origins of celebrations such as Wesak, Kathina and Parinirvana, and the significance of these for Buddhists today.
Key Notes
- Wesak is a significant Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his enlightenment and death.
- Buddhists observe the festival in various ways depending on the country or school of Buddhism.
- The Theravada festival of Kathina occurs at the end of Vassa, the rainy season.
- Parinirvana Day is observed by Mahayana Buddhists and commemorates the Buddha's death and his attainment of Nirvana.
- To deepen their spiritual practice, some Buddhists may also choose to attend retreats.
Vocabulary To Learn
- festival: a day or period of celebration
- Kathina: a festival which occurs at the end of the Vassa, or rainy season
- Parinirvana Day: a festival which marks the Buddha's death and when he achieved Nirvana/Nibbana
- retreat: a period of time spent away from everyday life to focus on meditation and practice
- Wesak: a Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Wesak only celebrates the birth of the Buddha.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Wesak is a significant Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his enlightenment and death. Buddhists observe the festival in various ways depending on the country or school of Buddhism.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'festival'
a day or period of celebration.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Wesak only celebrates the birth of the Buddha. Correction: Wesak also commemorates the Buddha's enlightenment and attainment of final Nirvana (Nibbana).
More Lessons In This Unit
- Buddhist festivals in Britain Study Guide
- Buddhist temples in Britain and globally Study Guide
- Death and mourning in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism Study Guide
- Devotional practices Study Guide
- Features and functions of Buddhist places of worship Study Guide
- Forms of meditation: samatha and mettabhavana Study Guide
- Forms of meditation: vipassana Study Guide
- Puja and mudras Study Guide
- The role of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in meditation Study Guide
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