Year 10 - Religious education
Celebrations: origins and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana Day
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 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.
- 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
- Parinirvana Day: a Mahayana festival which marks the Buddha's death and when he achieved 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 final attainment of Nirvana (Nibbana).
More Lessons In This Unit
- Buddha rupa, artefacts and offerings Study Guide
- Ceremonies and rituals associated with death and mourning Study Guide
- Compassion and loving-kindness Study Guide
- Kamma and rebirth Study Guide
- Samatha meditation Study Guide
- The five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given Study Guide
- The five moral precepts: senses, falsehoods or intoxicants Study Guide
- The nature and importance of diverse places of worship for Buddhists Study Guide
- The role and significance of Puja for Buddhists Study Guide
- The six perfections in the Mahayana tradition: generosity and morality Study Guide
- The six perfections in the Mahayana tradition: meditation and wisom Study Guide
- The six perfections in the Mahayana tradition: patience and energy Study Guide
- Vipassana meditation Study Guide
- Visualisation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Study Guide
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