Silm Abastar Lesson 9 World Religion Theravada Buddhism
Silm Abastar Lesson 9 World Religion Theravada Buddhism
Silm Abastar Lesson 9 World Religion Theravada Buddhism
Introduction to World
Religions & Belief
Systems
Quarter 2 – Module 1:
Theravada Buddhism
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the learners as they execute the tasks included in the module.
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For the learner:
Welcome to the Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems Alternative
Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Theravada Buddhism.
The hand is one of the most symbolized parts of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will enable to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.
What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or competencies
you are expected to learn in the module.
What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to check what
you already know about the lesson to take. If you get
all the answers correct (100%), you may decide to
skip this module.
What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will help you
transfer your new knowledge or skill into real life
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situations or concerns.
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What I Need to Know
Learning objectives:
What I Know
Let’s determine what you already learned by answering these questions. Write
your answer in your test notebook.
I. Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer about the life of Buddha.
1. Which event happened after Siddhartha saw a very old man and before he saw a
dead man?
a) Siddhartha was born under a tree.
b) Siddhartha went out of the palace for the first time.
c) Siddhartha was married.
d) Siddhartha saw a sick man.
2. From the story we know that Siddhartha:
a) had an easy life.
b) liked being stuck in the palace.
c) was unhappy at the palace.
d) wanted to find the cause of suffering.
3. All of these are true except:
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a) Siddhartha became the Buddha.
b) Siddhartha’s mother’s name was Maya.
c) Siddhartha never got married.
d) Siddhartha left the palace four times.
4. The reason Siddhartha left the palace was:
a) He did not like his father.
b) He could get richer if he left.
c) He liked the things outside the palace.
d) He needed to an answer to an important question.
5. We can tell from the story that Siddhartha’s father:
a) wanted him to do whatever he wanted to do.
b) tried to keep him from becoming a holy man.
c) was not a part of his life.
d) talked to him a lot about what he wanted to do.
II. Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, but if FALSE change the
incorrect underline word.
What’s In
In the previous lesson, you have learned what Hinduism is all about,
and how this world’s oldest religion is considered a diverse and complex
religion. We have also discussed how Hindus manifest their spirituality
amidst the variety of their traditions and freedom of beliefs. In this lesson,
we will study Theravada Buddhism and how its followers adhere to the
original practices and doctrines preached by Siddhartha Gautama, a sage
on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.
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What’s New
Are you ready now? Try this one in your activity notebook!
Activity 1. Direction: The pictures below shows the four noble truth of Theravada
Buddhism. States the noble truth in each photo.
What Is It
Try this! Have fun! Good luck!
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1. What are the four noble truths of Theravada Buddhism? Why does Buddha
believe that one must truly understand the “Four Noble Truths” and “The Middle
Way” before beginning the eightfold path”?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. How is one’s salvation attained in Theravada Buddhism?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
THERAVADA BUDDHISM
Theravada (Pali: thera "elders" + vada "word, doctrine"), the "Doctrine of the
Elders," is the name for the school of Buddhism that draws its scriptural
inspiration from the Pali Canon, or Tipitaka, which scholars generally accept as the
oldest record of the Buddha's teachings. For many centuries, Theravada has been
the predominant religion of Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand; today Theravada
Buddhists number over 100 million world-wide. In recent decades Theravada has
begun to take root in the West — primarily in Europe, Australia and the USA.
Also known as the Buddha “the awakened one”, he was the leader and
founder of Buddhism. Siddhartha means “He Who Achieves His Goal”. He was born
between 563 B.C.E. to 480 B.C.E. into the Sakya tribe in Lumbini (in present day
Nepal) near the town of Kapilavastu (the capital city of Sakya state) in the foothills
of the Nepalese Himalayas (Kulananda 2001). Born into the Kshartriya caste, his
father was Suddhodana, an aristocratic Hindu chieftain, and his mother was
Mahamaya, a Koliyan princess. When Siddhartha was born his father was told by a
mystic that his future could be one of the two things; a lowly monk or a wealthy
political leader, to ensure his son didn’t become a monk Siddhartha’s father raised
him in luxury and concealed from him the misfortunes of the outside world despite
coming from affluent family. Siddhartha began to feel an inner void that couldn’t be
filled with earthly pleasures such as food and drink, he left his world of luxury and
set out on a mission to satiate his thirst for more. As he roamed, he came across
misery, illness and death, he began to realize that he too would eventually grow old
and die. As he wandered he came across a monk and decided to live a life of self-
denial to see if it brought more to his life than well stood. Siddhartha collapsed
near a stream from hunger and when he awoke he accepted a meal and vowed to
never again deny himself to that extreme. He had lived as an extremely wealthy
man and as a lowly man yet found no peace in either existence. Eventually,
Siddhartha sat beneath the fig tree and vowed to stay there until he reached
enlightenment. As he said, Mara, the god of desire and death tempted him to turn
back to his old life of pleasure by inducing visions of beautiful women but
Siddhartha persisted. Suddenly, he woke as Buddha where he realized that desire
and cravings were what kept him entrapped in the endless cycle of suffering. He
entered a transcendent state known as nirvana where there is no suffering desire
nor sense of self, this is the final goal of Buddhism.
THERAVADA TEACHINGS
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Theravāda promotes the concept of vibhajjavāda "teaching of analysis". This
doctrine says that insight must come from the aspirant's experience, application of
knowledge, and critical reasoning. However, the scriptures of the Theravadin
tradition also emphasize heeding the advice of the wise, considering such advice
and evaluation of one's own experiences to be the two tests by which practices
should be judged.
Throughout the Pali Canon, two characteristics of all saṅ khāra(conditioned
phenomena) and one characteristic of all dhammas are mentioned. The Theravāda
tradition has grouped them together.
Insight into these three characteristics is the entry to the Buddhist path:
Anicca(impermanence) all conditioned phenomena are subject to change,
including physical characteristics, qualities, assumptions, theories, knowledge, etc.
Nothing is permanent, because, for something to be permanent, there has to be an
unchanging cause behind it.
Dukkha (suffering) craving causes suffering, since what is craved is
transitory, changing, and perishing. The craving for impermanent things causes
disappointment and sorrow. There is a tendency to label practically everything in
the world, as either "good", "comfortable" or "satisfying"; or "bad", "uncomfortable",
and "unsatisfying".
Anatta (not-self) all dhammas lack a fixed, unchanging 'essence'; there is no
permanent, essential ātta (self). A living being is a composite of the five aggregates
(khandhas), which are the physical forms(rupa), feelings or sensations(vedana),
perception (sanna), mental formations (sankhara), and consciousness (vinnana),
none of which can be identified as one's Self.
THERAVADA BELIEFS
SACRED SCRIPTURES
Tripitaka (Tipitaka in Pali) is the earliest collection of Buddhist teachings and the
only text recognized as canonical by Theravada Buddhist. Tripitaka means “three
basket”, from the way in which it was originally recorded: the text was written on
long, narrow leaves, which were sewn at the edges then grouped into bunches and
stored in baskets. The Tripitaka was handed down orally, the written down in the
third century B.C.E. According to Buddhist tradition, the contents of the Tripitaka
were determined at the First Buddhist Council, shortly after the death of Buddha.
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As many as Buddha’s disciples assembled, and at the direction of Mahakashypa,
Buddha’s successor, the teachings of Buddha were recited in full.
3 BASKETS (TIPITAKA/TRIPITAKA)
TIPITAKA CONTENTS
Shortly after his awakening, Buddha began teaching others of his concept of
human condition and how to liberate oneself. He did so by establishing a
framework of thought called the Four noble truths.
2. The Noble Truth of the cause of dukkha: the cause of this dissatisfaction is
tanha (craving) in all its forms;
3. The Noble Truth of the cessation of dukkha: an end to all that unsatisfactoriness
can be found through the relinquishment and abandonment of craving;
4. The Noble Truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha: there is a
method of achieving the end of all unsatisfactoriness, namely the Noble Eightfold
Path;
The Eightfold Path is describe as walking in the Middle Way between complete
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pleasure and complete mortification, this relates to the origin of Siddhartha Gautama because
he wasn’t able to find peace in high status or as lowly monk, only when he gathered enough
wisdom from both ends of spectrum then reached nirvana.
RIGHT INTENTION Free one’s self from ill-will, cruelty and untruthfulness
RIGHT LIVELIHOOD Earn a living in a way not harmful to any living thing
RIGHT EFFORT Avoid evil thoughts and overcome them, arouse good
thoughts and maintain them
RIGHT MINDFULNESS Pay vigilant attention to every state of the body, feeling
and mind
IMPERMANENCE OF THINGS
An unavoidable fact of human existence. Buddhism affirms five processes
deemed uncontrollable by any individual: old age, sickness, dying, decay and
death. The one who achieved nirvana called arhat or one who is “worthy of
honor”.
What’s More
Let’s see if you know the teachings and beliefs given examples of situations
that demonstrate cravings which may lead to suffering according to Theravada
Buddhism.
Activity 4. Direction: Below you find four terrible diseases, a doctor has examined
each of the patients and now has to aid the patient to get better again. Find and fill
in the answers in the correct boxes. Do this in your activity notebook.
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Sweetyrithis Desire to eat Eat significantly Try other types of
sweets all the less sweets. food as well.
time.
Lazyfever
Facebooksyndromos
Spendingcompulsio
Rubrics:
Score Description
10 Answers are on point. All are grammatically correct and neat.
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7 There are 1-2 misleading answers. 1-2 are grammatically incorrect and
erasures.
4 There are 3 or more misleading answers. 3 or more grammatically
incorrect and erasures.
What I Can Do
Let’s find out if you know how to apply the teachings and beliefs of
Theravada Buddhism.
Activity 6. Below are the given scenarios, you have to write what are the action
you’re going to make and what Theravada Buddhism like you to do. Do this in your
activity notebook.
Rubrics:
Score Description
10 Answers are on point. All are grammatically correct and neat.
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7 There are 1-2 misleading answers. 1-2 are grammatically incorrect
and erasures.
4 There are 3 or more misleading answers. 3 or more grammatically
incorrect and erasures.
Assessment
Congratulations! You’ve come this far! Now, let’s evaluate the Eight-
fold Path in terms of how it achieves the Middle Way. Do this in your activity
notebook.
I. Direction: Match the description of the eightfold path seen in the Column A to
Column B.
Column A Column B
1. See the world as it is, accept the existence of
Dukkha and understand there is a path to
freedom. a. Right View
2. Make sure your words are kind and helpful. b. Right Intention
Speak in a positive and truthful way.
c. Right Speech
3. Earn a living in a way that is an honest and
d. Right Action
doesn’t harm any living things.
e. Right Livelihood
4. Be honest, content and faithful. Do not kill
living things or use harmful substances. Treat f. Right Effort
yourself and other people well.
g. Right Mindfulness
5. Show as serious commitment to developing the
right and mental thought and attitude. h. Right Concentration
III. Direction: Write a practical example of how it can be followed. Used the
format below.
The Eightfold Path Practical example of how it can be
followed
Right View
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Rubrics:
Score Description
10 Answers are on point. All are grammatically correct and neat.
7 There are 1-2 misleading answers. 1-2 are grammatically
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incorrect and erasures.
4 There are 3 or more misleading answers. 3 or more
grammatically incorrect and erasures.
Additional Activities
Using Venn Diagram, illustrate the similarities and differences of the “Ten
Commandments” and “Noble Eightfold Path.”
References:
Ong, J., et. al. Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems. 2016. Vibal
Group, Inc. Quezon City.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/whats-thera.htm
file:///C:/Users/KYCIE/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8weky
b3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/231510769-Buddhism-Lesson-Plans%20(1).pdf
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https://www.scribd.com/presentation/337682848/Theravada-Buddhism
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEh68dNtWE
Answers Key
What I Know
I.
1. d
2. d
3. c
4. d
5. b
II.
6. kshatriya
7. largest
8. true
9. true
10. true
What’s New
Activity 1.
1. suffering
2. cause of suffering
3. end of suffering
4. path leading to end of suffering
Activity 2.
1. view
2. intention
3. speech
4. action
5. livelihood
6.effort
7. mindfulness
8. concentration
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What Is It
Activity 3.
1. The four noble truths of Theravada Buddhism are the dukkha, the cause
of dukkha, cessation of dukkha and path leading to cessation of dukkha. Buddha
believe that one must truly understand the “Four Noble Truths” and “The Middle
Way” before beginning the eightfold path” because Siddhartha Gautama wasn’t able
to find peace in high status or as lowly monk, only when he gathered enough
wisdom from both ends of spectrum then reached nirvana.
What’s More
Activity 4.
Dukkha Cause of dukkha Cessation of Path leading to
dukkha cessation of
dukkha
Sweetyrithis Desire to eat Eat significantly Try other types
sweets all the less sweets. of food as well.
time.
Lazyfever Not being able to Face what you Do one thing at a
get anything done have to do and time
sort it out
Facebooksyndromos Need to be Limit your time of Meet your friends
constantly online being online in real life for a
on social face to face chatter
networking sites
Spendingcompulsio Spending too Think of Set budget and
much money on something that live within own
unnecessary and does not cost means
overpriced things money but is as
fun
What I Can Do
Scores may vary according to the rubrics.
Assessment
I.
1. a
2. b
3. e
4. c
5.d
6. h
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7. g
8. f
II.
1. four noble truth
2. untruthfulness
3. tale-bearing
4. killing
5. living thing
6. overcome
7. feeling
8. single
III.
Scores may vary according to the rubrics.
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