Year 10 - Religious education
Vipassana meditation
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 nature, purpose and significance of vipassana meditation for Buddhists today.
Key Notes
- Vipassana meditation is one of the two main methods taught by the Buddha.
- Vipassana helps Buddhist gain insight into the true nature of reality as characterised by the three marks of existence.
- In the Yuganaddha Sutta, four possible paths to enlightenment are discussed.
- Vipassana was used by the Buddha as a way of eliminating ignorance and suffering (dukkha).
- Practising vipassana is a way to achieve enlightenment and attain Nibbana/Nirvana.
Vocabulary To Learn
- meditation: a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness
- samatha: a method of meditation; a state of calmness
- the three marks of existence: the belief that all life involves/is marked by three features: dukkha, anicca, anatta
- vipassana (insight): a method of meditation focused on insight into the true nature of things
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Vipassana meditation is primarily about relaxation or stress relief.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Vipassana meditation is one of the two main methods taught by the Buddha. Vipassana helps Buddhist gain insight into the true nature of reality as characterised by the three marks of existence.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'meditation'
a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Vipassana meditation is primarily about relaxation or stress relief. Correction: Vipassana meditation is aimed at cultivating insight into the nature of reality, specifically the impermanent, unsatisfactory, and non-self characteristics of all phenomena, known in Buddhism as the three marks of existence.
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: 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
- Visualisation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Study Guide
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