Lesson video

Hello, I'm Ms. Ramalli, And thank you for joining me for today's RE lesson.

I'll be guiding you through your learning today, and my priority is to ensure that you successfully meet the learning outcome.

By the end of today's lesson, you will be able to explain the different meanings of Dhamma and how it influences Buddhists today.

And there are three key words.

They are Dhamma, dukkha and refuge.

Dhamma refers to the teachings of the Buddha.

Dukkha is a belief that all life involves suffering, and unsatisfactoriness.

And refuge refers to safety or shelter from difficulty or danger.

So in our lesson today on the concept of Dhamma, there are two parts to our lesson.

We're gonna begin with the meaning of Dhamma, followed by how Dhamma influences Buddhist today.

Okay, let's begin.

Dhamma in Pali, the language of the early Buddhist scripture is based upon the actions and teachings of the Buddha.

These teachings were passed on through word of mouth and were later written down in the Pali canon.

The Dhamma is central to Buddhist beliefs and practises.

It aims to reduce dissatisfaction and suffering known as dukkha.

The term Dhamma can have different meanings depending on its context.

Buddhist Dhamma can mean the truth and nature of existence, like the three refuges or the three jewels.

They can also be known and the four noble truths.

It can also refer to the path of training, which includes following the Eightfold path and the practise of meditation.

And Buddhist Dhamma can also mean law.

Referring to universal law and natural order.

So for example, the law of karma.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

which of the following is not meant by Buddhist Dhamma? A, universal law.

B, the path of training.

C, living with a good moral code and honouring God.

Or D, the truth and nature of existence.

Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to see the correct answers.

Okay, welcome back and well done if you said, C.

Dhamma is also one of the Three Refuges, which are also known as the Three Jewels, and they are central values for Buddhists.

The three Refuges are the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

So here you can see that the blue jewel symbolises the Buddhist Dhamma.

And the Dhamma is the second of the Three Refuges.

And it's significant to all Buddhists because it reveals truths taught by the Buddha.

It provides a path for individuals to live a life that guides them towards enlightenment.

However, it may be applied differently depending on which school of Buddhism a person follows.

Okay, let's pause for a moment and just check your understanding of what you've just heard.

Which one of the following is the second refuge? Is it A, the Buddha B, the Dhamma, C, the Sanger, or D, enlightenment? Pause the video and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Okay.

Welcome back.

Well done if you selected B, Dhamma is the second refuge.

So let's consider more about the Three Refuges.

To seek refuge means seeking safety or shelter from difficulty or danger.

Many Buddhist traditions frequently recite the Three Refuges.

This might be done to mark the beginning of a Buddhist ceremony for example.

I might say, I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dhamma and I take refuge in the Sangha.

How might Buddhists seek safety or shelter in each of the three refuges? Pause the video here, have a discussion with your partner, or think to yourself, how might Buddhists seek safety or shelter in each of the Three Refuges? Pause the video and press play when you are ready to check your answers.

Okay, welcome back everyone, great discussions.

So let's consider how a Buddhist might seek refuge in each of the Three Refugees.

So the first one, I take refuge in the Buddha.

Well, this can mean commitment to following the Buddhist example.

I take refuge in the Dhamma.

This can mean following the Buddhist teachings to reduce suffering.

And I take refuge in the Sangha.

This can mean recognising a sense of togetherness with all living beings.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following is the meaning of finding refuge? A, speaking with members of the Sangha.

B, engaging in actions that cause potential harm.

C, following the Dhamma.

Or D, seeking safety or shelter from difficulty or danger.

Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check the answer.

Okay, welcome back, and well done to everybody that selected D.

Seeking safety or shelter from difficulty or danger is the meaning of finding refuge.

Roshan is a Theravada Buddhist living in the UK.

Roshan says, I seek refuge in the Dhamma to navigate my life if faced with difficult decisions or circumstances.

some of my peers seek satisfaction in material possessions such as expensive branded clothing or trainers.

The Buddha taught that attachment to material possessions does not bring true satisfaction.

If I notice that I'm craving or desiring material objects, I turn to the Dhamma.

So why is Dhamma important to most Buddhists? Well, it reduces suffering.

Remember, suffering is known as dukkha in Buddhism.

It creates satisfaction.

That's another reason why the Dhamma is important to most Buddhists.

It gives meaning and purpose.

It can improve relationships.

It's one of the three refugees, and it increases kindness and compassion.

So these are some of the reasons why Dhamma is important to most Buddhists.

Okay, let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Which one of the following is not a reason why Dhamma is important to most Buddhists.

A, it increases kindness and compassion B, it reduces dukkha.

C, it decreases kindness and compassion.

And D, it is one of the three refuges.

Pause the video and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Welcome back everybody, and well done to everybody that said C.

C is not a reason why Dhamma is important to most Buddhists.

Okay, so we are going to complete our first practise task here, and I would like you to explain two different meanings of the Buddhist word Dhamma.

So here I've given you some guidance that you might like to use on how to answer that question.

So first of all, you need to give two points.

So if you give one meaning of the Buddhist word Dhamma, and then follow that with a development by explaining the meaning and or give an example to develop your point.

Secondly, give a second meaning of the Buddhist word Dhamma.

And then develop that second meaning with an explanation of the meaning and an example to develop your point.

Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back everybody.

Let's check your answers for the practise task.

So I ask you to explain two different meanings of the Buddhist word Dhamma.

Your answer may include these points.

One meaning of the Buddhist word Dhamma is the teachings of the Buddha.

These include the Four Noble Truths and the Three Refuges, the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

A second meaning of the Buddhist word Dhamma is referring to the path of training.

This might include the Eightfold Path and practising meditation.

Well done on your hard work completing that practise task.

So now we're gonna move on to the second part of our lesson, how Dhamma influences Buddhist today.

Izzy says, "At school, my RE teacher has asked me to explain how the Buddhist beliefs and teachings might influence Buddhists today.

But what does influence mean?" Alex responds, "What you need to do is consider how the Buddhist beliefs and Dhamma, the teachings might affect a Buddhist thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

This might be how the Dhamma inspires or encourages a Buddhist." So here we have a quote from the Dhammapada and it reads, "He who drinks deeply, the Dhamma lives happily with a tranquil mind." What do you think this quote means, and how might this teaching influence how a Buddhist lives today? Pause the video here and speak to your partner or have some time to reflect on what you think the quote means and how the teaching might influence a Buddhist life today.

Pause the video here and press play when you have finished your discussions or your reflections.

Press play when you are ready to move on with the lesson.

Okay, welcome back everybody.

So what do you think this quote means and how might this teaching influence how a Buddhist lives today? This quote from the Buddha can be interpreted to mean that Buddhists should prioritise the study of Dhamma to lead a peaceful and happy life.

A Buddhist today might be influenced by this teaching to remember to study and reflect on the Dhamma.

This could help them if their lifestyle is stressful and full of distraction.

They may prioritise meditation to encourage a peaceful mind.

Well done everybody.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

which one of the following shows how a Buddhist may be influenced by the Dhamma? A, they might pray to God.

B, they might meditate daily.

C, they might attend church.

Or D, they might read the Bible.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done to everybody that's selected B, they might meditate daily.

Roshan is a Theravada Buddhist.

He explains how the Dhamma influences him.

Roshan says, "I'm influenced by the Buddhist Dhamma because I try hard not to crave things.

Sometimes I find myself craving things like another bag of sweets or my football team's latest shirt.

I try to remember that my old football shirt still fits me and the sweets only bring temporary happiness.

I try to avoid feelings of dissatisfaction and reflect on the Buddhist teachings on dukkha.

Tashi is a Mahayana Buddhist living in the UK.

She explains how the Dhamma influences her.

Tashi says, "I'm influenced by the Dhamma because I try to meditate daily to keep my mind calm.

Meditation helps me avoid negative emotions such as anger or hatred, and therefore reduce suffering.

The Sangha also influences me because it is where I can develop my understanding of the Dhamma and I'm supported by other Buddhists on my spiritual journey to achieve enlightenment.

Okay, let's pause for a moment and just check we've understood what we've just heard.

Which of the following may support Buddhist to learn the Dhamma? A, the Sangha, B, the congregation, or C, the ummah.

Okay, well done if you selected A, the Sangha.

So I would like you to give two different ways that Dhamma influences Buddha.

So think about what you have just heard, for example from Roshan and Tashi.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back everybody.

So what two different ways can the Dhamma influence Buddhists So you may have said one way Dhamma influences Buddhist is by encouraging them to try living life without craving.

A second way Dhamma influences Buddhist is by encouraging them to meditate daily.

Okay, well done everybody.

So now we're on to our final practise task on how Dhamma influences Buddhists today.

So on your screen, there is a statement that Dhamma is the most important of the Three Refuges.

So in your answer, you need to refer to Buddhist teachings and give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view.

So Izzy has written the first part of this answer and you need to provide an alternative.

So a different point of view.

Izzy says, "Most Buddhists would agree the Dhamma is the most important refuge as it offers a way to end dukkha by following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The Dhamma offers guidance on to avoid dissatisfaction, suffering, and ultimately a path to achieving enlightenment." So in your response, you need to give an alternative point of view from Izzy's.

So you are going to say why Buddhists or some Buddhists would disagree with that statement, that the Dhamma is the most important of the Three Refuges.

So pause the video here and press play when you are ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back everybody.

Time to check your answer.

So the statement read the Dhamma is the most important of the Three Refuges.

And your answer may include these points.

Some Buddhists would disagree with this statement because they may believe that all the refugees of Buddhism are equally important.

For example, without the Buddha, the Dhamma would not have been revealed.

And the Sangha is also important for supporting Buddhists on their spiritual path to achieve enlightenment.

Okay, well done everybody on completing that second practise task.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on the concept of Dhamma.

So let's consider what key points we have covered in our learning today.

Dhamma has a variety of meanings depending on its context.

It is a central Buddhist belief.

Dhamma is based upon the actions and teachings of the Buddha, which Buddhists are encouraged to follow.

These teachings were later written down and are now known as the Dhamma.

The Dhamma is the second of the Three Refuges.

And the Dhamma influences Buddhists by giving them guidance on how to reduce suffering.

Thank you very much for joining me for today's lesson.

Well done.