Year 10 - Religious education
The three poisons
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 the three poisons, why they cause suffering and how they influence 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 the three poisons are the root of suffering (dukkha).
- There are diverse interpretations between Buddhists of the Wheel of Life and the three poisons.
- Belief in the three poisons influences Buddhists thoughts, beliefs and actions in different ways.
Vocabulary To Learn
- the 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
- That 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 the three poisons are the root of suffering (dukkha).
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'the three poisons'
causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed and hatred.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: That 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
- 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
- Suffering and its causes 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 Threefold Way Study Guide
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