Year 10 - Religious education
The five moral precepts: do not take life or what is not given
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 moral precepts to not take life and what is not given and why these teachings are important.
Key Notes
- The five precepts are linked to kamma and produce good consequences when completed.
- The precept to not take life includes all living beings, not just human life.
- The precept to not take what is not given means not stealing because taking from others causes suffering.
- The five precepts are important to reduce suffering (dukkha) and demonstrate compassion.
Vocabulary To Learn
- ethics/ethical: relating to moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes
- moral: concerned with the principles or beliefs about what is right and wrong; includes following the five moral precepts
- the five precepts (panchasila): an important part of Buddhist ethics; part of the Eightfold Path (right action)
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The five moral precepts are strict 'rules' or commandments that must be followed rigidly, like laws in some religious traditions.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The five precepts are linked to kamma and produce good consequences when completed. The precept to not take life includes all living beings, not just human life.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'ethics/ethical'
relating to moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The five moral precepts are strict 'rules' or commandments that must be followed rigidly, like laws in some religious traditions. Correction: The five moral precepts are not seen as absolute commandments imposed by an external authority, but rather as guidelines or principles for ethical living.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Buddha rupa, artefacts and offerings Study Guide
- Celebrations: origins and significance of Wesak and Parinirvana Day 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: 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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