Year 10 - Religious education
Suffering and its causes
Buddhism: beliefs
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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 different states of suffering, the causes of suffering and how these influence Buddhists today.
Key Notes
- The Sermon at Benares was a teaching point used by the Buddha to help people understand suffering.
- The nature of life, including old age, sickness and death contributes to suffering.
- Change and impermanence are also significant contributors to the suffering we experience.
- Many Buddhists believe suffering is essential to help us understand ultimate reality and choose how to live.
- The Buddha's teachings on the causes of suffering influence Buddhists e.g. to stop cravings.
Vocabulary To Learn
- dukkha: a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness
- craving: the ongoing state of desire which causes suffering; grasping at things we enjoy/want
- the three poisons: causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed and hatred
- anicca: one of the three marks of existence, meaning nothing is permament
- tanha: a cause of suffering meaning 'thirst' or 'craving'
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Buddhism teaches that suffering is inherently bad or to be avoided at all costs.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Sermon at Benares was a teaching point used by the Buddha to help people understand suffering. The nature of life, including old age, sickness and death contributes to suffering.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'dukkha'
a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Buddhism teaches that suffering is inherently bad or to be avoided at all costs. Correction: Buddhism views suffering (dukkha) as an essential part of life. It's not about denying suffering but understanding its nature and learning to live in a way that reduces unnecessary suffering.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Buddhahood and the Pure Land Study Guide
- Gautama Buddha's life and its significance Study Guide
- Human destiny: the Arhat and Boddhisatva ideals Study Guide
- Human personality in Mahayana tradition Study Guide
- Human personality in Theravada tradition Study Guide
- Meditation and wisdom Study Guide
- Nibbana and the end of suffering Study Guide
- The concept of dependent arising Study Guide
- The concept of Dhamma Study Guide
- The Eightfold Path Study Guide
- The Four Noble Truths Study Guide
- The three marks of existence Study Guide
- The three poisons Study Guide
- The Threefold Way Study Guide
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