Teachings of Buddha: Unit 1 Insights & Practices
GCS
E
Religiou
s
Studies
Preparin
g
t
o
Teach
Unit 1, Part A
Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism
–
Areas
of
Study
Short
Course
(Unit
1,
Part
A)
•
The Buddha
•
The Teachings of the Buddha
•
Meditation Practices
•
Festivals and
retreats
Full
Course
(Unit
2,
Part
A)
•
The Three Marks of Existence
•
The Three Jewels
•
Places of ‘Worship’ and Puja
•
Ethical Behaviour
•
Buddha
•
Samatha
•
Noble Truths
•
Dukkha
•
Dhamma
•
Vipassana
•
Tanha
•
Sangha
•
Mettabhavana
•
Eightfold Path
•
Wesak
•
Parinirvana
Buddhism
Buddhism
–
Underpinning
Concepts
Short
Course
–
Unit
1
Full
Course
–
Unit
2
•
These concepts provide the foundation of knowledge. Pupils should be able to
explain and apply these concepts in relation to the theme.
•
Anicca
•
Bodhisattva
•
Theravada
•
Anatta
•
Five Precepts
•
Mahayana
•
(S)Kandhas
•
Puja
•
Mudras
•
Vihara
•
Stupa
•
Triratna
A comprehensive glossary can be found on the WJEC resources link as well as at these two sites:
http://www.clear-vision.org/Schools/Students/Ages-17-18
/
glossary.aspx
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_gloss2
.
htm
An
approach
to
the
teaching
of
the
topic…
Area
of
Study
-
The
Teachings
of
the
Buddha
(Unit
1)
A
s
k
pupils
to
write
down
8
rules
they
think
are
universalisable
and
discuss.
Introduce
the
sources
of
wisdom
(found
at:
http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.ph
p?verse
=
00
5
) and
ask
what
rules
they
would
now
create
following
this
knowledge.
Introduce
the
eightfold
path
along
with
scenarios
of
wrong
doing
and
ask
pupils
to
explain
what
would
have
been
the
righ
t thing to do
in
that
scenario.
Get pupils to create a flow chart to show the
relationship between The Four Noble Truths, the
Eightfold Path and the interpretations of Nirvana,
Samsara and Enlightenment.
Path
The
Four
Noble
Truths
Enlightenment
Samsara
Area
of
Study
-
The
Teachings
of
the
Buddha
(Unit
1)
An
approach
to
the
teaching
of
the
topic…
Mettabhavana
Loving-kindness meditation to
develop compassion for
others.
Teaching your students:
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v
=
sz7cpV7ERsM
Get
them
to meditate with
this guided meditation.
The Understanding
http://www.wildmind.org/metta/introduction
/what-metta
-
isnt
Area
of
Study
–
Meditation
Practices
(Unit
1)
The
Three
Marks
of
Existence
(Unit
2)
An
approach
to
the
teaching
of
the
topic…
Area
of
Study
–
The
Three
Jewels
Anicca, Anatta,
Dukkha in
relation to
Dhamma
Developing the Knowledge
htt
p
://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file
/
m
ilinda.pdf
Free
online
resource
-
The
Debate
of
King
Milinda.
Specifically
pp.
32-42
for
the
Story
of
Nagasena
and
the
chariot.
Development
of
the
knowledge
and
understanding
of
The
Dhamma
and
The
Three
Jewels.
Get pupils to see the
bigger picture.
Present pupils with a
series of key terms
following the
Area
of
Study
–
The
Three
Marks
of
Existence
(Unit
2)
An
‘alternative’
approach
to
the
teaching
of
the
topic…
Anicca, Anatta and Dukkha,
(S)Khandhas
Developing the Knowledge
http://www.clear-
vision.org/Schools/Students/Ages-17-
18/Nature-of-Reality/three
-
marks.aspx
Free
online
resource
written
by
a
former
head
of
RS
at
a
sixth
form
college.
Or check out the introductory video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=
6
BjdbVC48bI
Find
the lyrics for Nine Inch Nails ‘hurt’
and
present these to pupils. Ask them
to highlight any lyrics which link to the
Buddhist concept of Anicca.
Or – Give them the challenge of finding
a
song which links to any of the
concepts learned.
Area
of
Study
–
The
Three
Marks
of
Existence
(Unit
2)
Do
not
bin
your
resources!
Similarities
between
New
Spec
and
Spec
B
Short
Course
and
Full
Course
•
Eightfold Path
a
nd
the
Four
Noble
Truths
referred
to
as a
response
to
issues
of
Evil
and
Suffering
(Religion
and
Human
Experience
–
Religion
and
Conflict).
•
Five Aggregates and anatta referred to as a response to ‘What makes us human?’
(Religion and Life Issues – Our World).
•
Eightfold Path and Four Noble Truths referred to as a response to issues around
relationships.
(Religion
and
Life
Issues
–
Relationships).
•
The
life of
the Buddha and his teachings as a source of authority.
(Religion and Human
Experience – Religion and State Authority).
•
Reference to Buddhist Places of Worship and symbolism of features.
(Religion
and
Human
Experience
–
Religious
Expression).
•
Devotional practices as a form of worship
(Religion
and
Life
Issues
–
Looking
for
Meaning
)
.
Overlap
with
WJEC
AS
Buddhism
(Current
Spec)!
More
useful
links
for
teaching
Buddhism
1.
Buddhist ideas through song and films:
http://www.livingdharma.org/Real.World.Buddhism/BuddhismInMovieSong
-
Hata.html
2.
Buddhist concepts through film:
http://www.mountainsoftravelphotos.com/Tibet%20-
%20Buddhism
/
Videos.html
3.
Online resource bank of information and PDF downloads:
http://www.buddhanet.ne
t
/
and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/worksheets/
(Less
able
/
introductory).
1.
Online resource bank of information divided into Key Stages:
http://www.clear-
vision.org/Schools
/
Students.aspx
2.
Online digital resource bank:
http://www.buddhanet.net/resource
s
/
3.
Check out Buddha Bits YouTube channel for more introductory clips:
https
://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVWtejv2BR2cblbiEoSO7oA
/
videos
Unit
1,
Part
A:
Buddhism
An
y
Questions?
G
C
S
E
S
u
b
j
e
c
t
O
f
f
i
c
e
r
Lynda Maddock
029
2026
5
122
lynda.maddock@
wjec
.co.uk
G
C
S
E
S
u
b
j
e
c
t
S
u
p
p
o
r
t
O
f
f
i
c
e
r
Christophe
r
Barfoot
02
9
202
6
5
094
c
hristopher.barfoot@
wjec
.co.uk
Dive into the teachings of Buddha with practical approaches to Unit 1 topics like Samsara, Four Noble Truths, and Meditation Practices. Encourage student engagement through universalizable rules, wisdom sources, and flow charts illustrating key concepts. Explore the Three Jewels, Anicca, Anatta, and Dukkha in the context of Dhamma for a profound learning experience.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
GCSE Religious Studies Preparing to Teach Unit 1, Part A Buddhism
Buddhism Buddhism Areas of Study Short Course (Unit 1, Part A) The Buddha The Teachings of the Buddha Meditation Practices Festivals and retreats Full Course (Unit 2, Part A) The Three Marks of Existence The Three Jewels Places of Worship and Puja Ethical Behaviour
Buddhism Buddhism Underpinning Concepts Short Course Unit 1 Full Course Unit 2 Anicca Bodhisattva Theravada Anatta Five Precepts Mahayana (S)Kandhas Puja Mudras Vihara Stupa Triratna Buddha Samatha Noble Truths Dukkha Dhamma Vipassana Tanha Sangha Mettabhavana Eightfold Path Wesak Parinirvana These concepts provide the foundation of knowledge. Pupils should be able to explain and apply these concepts in relation to the theme. A comprehensive glossary can be found on the WJEC resources link as well as at these two sites: http://www.clear-vision.org/Schools/Students/Ages-17-18/glossary.aspx http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_gloss2.htm
Area of Study - The Teachings of the Buddha (Unit 1) An approach to the teaching of the topic Ask pupils to write down 8 rules they think are universalisable and discuss. Introduce the sources of wisdom (found at: http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.ph p?verse=005) and ask what rules they would now create following this knowledge. Introduce the eightfold path along with scenarios of wrong doing and ask pupils to explain what would have been the right thing to do in that scenario. Get pupils to create a flow chart to show the relationship between The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and the interpretations of Nirvana, Samsara and Enlightenment.
Area of Study - The Teachings of the Buddha (Unit 1) Samsara Truths Noble Four The Path
Area of Study Meditation Practices (Unit 1) An approach to the teaching of the topic Mettabhavana Loving-kindness meditation to develop compassion for others. Teaching your students: https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=sz7cpV7ERsM Get them to meditate with this guided meditation. The Understanding http://www.wildmind.org/metta/introduction /what-metta-isnt
Area of Study The Three Marks of Existence (Unit 2) An approach to the teaching of the topic The Three Jewels Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha in relation to Dhamma http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/m ilinda.pdf Free online resource - The Debate of King Milinda. Specifically pp. 32-42 for the Story of Nagasena and the chariot. Developing the Knowledge
Area of Study The Three Marks of Existence (Unit 2) Development of the knowledge and understanding of The Dhamma and The Three Jewels. Get pupils to see the bigger picture. Present pupils with a series of key terms following the
Area of Study The Three Marks of Existence (Unit 2) An alternative approach to the teaching of the topic Anicca, Anatta and Dukkha, (S)Khandhas http://www.clear- vision.org/Schools/Students/Ages-17- 18/Nature-of-Reality/three-marks.aspx Free online resource written by a former head of RS at a sixth form college. Developing the Knowledge Find the lyrics for Nine Inch Nails hurt and present these to pupils. Ask them to highlight any lyrics which link to the Buddhist concept of Anicca. Or Give them the challenge of finding a song which links to any of the concepts learned. Or check out the introductory video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6 BjdbVC48bI
Do not bin your resources! Similarities between New Spec and Spec B Short Course and Full Course Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths referred to as a response to issues of Evil and Suffering (Religion and Human Experience Religion and Conflict). Five Aggregates and anatta referred to as a response to What makes us human? (Religion and Life Issues Our World). Eightfold Path and Four Noble Truths referred to as a response to issues around relationships. (Religion and Life Issues Relationships). The life of the Buddha and his teachings as a source of authority. (Religion and Human Experience Religion and State Authority). Reference to Buddhist Places of Worship and symbolism of features. (Religion and Human Experience Religious Expression). Devotional practices as a form of worship (Religion and Life Issues Looking for Meaning). Overlap with WJEC AS Buddhism (Current Spec)!
More useful links for teaching Buddhism 1. Buddhist ideas through song and films: http://www.livingdharma.org/Real.World.Buddhism/BuddhismInMovieSong-Hata.html 2. Buddhist concepts through film: http://www.mountainsoftravelphotos.com/Tibet%20- %20Buddhism/Videos.html 3. Online resource bank of information and PDF downloads: http://www.buddhanet.net/ and http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/worksheets/ (Less able/introductory). 1. Online resource bank of information divided into Key Stages: http://www.clear- vision.org/Schools/Students.aspx 2. Online digital resource bank: http://www.buddhanet.net/resources/ 3. Check out Buddha Bits YouTube channel for more introductory clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVWtejv2BR2cblbiEoSO7oA/videos
GCSE Subject Officer Lynda Maddock 029 2026 5122 lynda.maddock@wjec.co.uk Any Questions? GCSESubject Support Officer ChristopherBarfoot 02920265094 christopher.barfoot@wjec.co.uk
