Year 8 - Religious education
Sangha - diverse lay Buddhist community
Buddhism: how significant are the three jewels to Buddhists?
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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 study the life of Siddhartha Gautama and reflect on his significance as a figue for devotees. They build on their understanding of dharma by examining dharma as skilful action. Finally they examine diversity in monastic life.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the diverse ways lay Buddhists live and the significance of the Sangha to lay Buddhists.
Key Notes
- The Sangha refers to the whole Buddhist community, including lay people.
- Lay Buddhists practise Buddhism in different ways through varying interpretations of the dhamma.
- Lay Buddhist practice will differ depending on where they live.
- There are lay Buddhist communities in the UK.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Sangha: the wider Buddhist community, including monks and nuns
- community: a group of people working or living together with a common vision
- lay: a follower of Buddhism who is not a monk or nun
- alms: offering food or donations to monks and nuns as a means of supporting monastic life
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Only monks and nuns can be classed as the Sangha referred to in the three jewels.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Sangha refers to the whole Buddhist community, including lay people. Lay Buddhists practise Buddhism in different ways through varying interpretations of the dhamma.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Sangha'
the wider Buddhist community, including monks and nuns.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Only monks and nuns can be classed as the Sangha referred to in the three jewels. Correction: This is incorrect, the lay Buddhist community is also part of the Sangha.
More Lessons In This Unit
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