Lesson video

Hello, I'm Ms. Ramalli from and welcome to today's RE lesson.

My priority is to ensure that by the end of today's lesson, you will have successfully met the learning outcome.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain the Threefold Way, why it is important and how it influences Buddhists.

The Threefold Way is the three divisions of the Eightfold Path: ethics, meditation, and wisdom.

Nibbana is the belief that individuals can achieve a state of perfect peace, where they experience liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Wisdom, panna, is insight into the true nature of reality.

Ethics, sila, is a moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes.

And meditation or samadhi is a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.

Our lesson today on the Threefold Way is going to take three parts.

So we're gonna begin with the Threefold Way, followed by the importance of the Threefold Way and ending with the influence of the Threefold Way.

The Threefold Way is a simplified version of the Eightfold Path and it is a common teaching to all Buddhist schools.

The Buddha taught that achieving enlightenment and ultimately nibbana, requires three key practises and these are known as the Threefold Way.

These practises are divided into three sections.

Wisdom, panna.

Ethics, sila.

Meditation, samadhi.

The Threefold Way is the Eightfold Path divided into three sections.

As follows, the Threefold Way is wisdom, panna, which is: Right understanding and Right intention.

Ethics, sila is: Right livelihood, Right action, and Right speech.

Meditation, a samadhi is: Right effort, Right mindfulness, and Right concentration.

So here you have the eight stages of the Eightfold Path divided into these three sections.

True or false? The Threefold Way is the Eightfold Path divided into four sections.

Well done, if you said that statement is false.

Why is that statement false? Well, the Threefold Way is the Eightfold Path divided into three sections: wisdom, panna.

Ethics, sila.

And meditation samadhi.

The section of wisdom, panna, emphasises the importance of gaining insight into the true nature of reality.

Right understanding is: understanding the Buddhist teachings, especially the Four Noble Truths.

Right intention is about: adopting the right mindset and determination to follow the Eightfold Path.

So it's important not only to understand the Buddhist teachings, but to have the Right intention in adopting that and having the Right mindset and determination to follow the teachings such as the Eightfold Path.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

What is the meaning of wisdom, panna? A, moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes? B, insight into the true nature of reality? or C, a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done, if you selected B as the correct answer, the meaning of wisdom is insight into the true nature of reality.

The section of ethics or sila, emphasises the importance of having good morals and behaviour.

Right speech is speaking honestly and positively.

Right action is acting peacefully and avoiding causing harm to others.

And Right livelihood is earning a living that does not harm or exploit others.

Buddhists will look to the teachings of the Buddha to know what good morals are and how to behave.

In Dhammapada, Verse 1 it says, "If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage." What can a Buddhist learn from this verse about how to demonstrate good ethics or sila? Pause the video here and spend some time reflecting and considering an answer to that question, either on your own or with your partner.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to reflect on your answer.

Okay, welcome back.

So what can a Buddhist learn from this verse about how to demonstrate good ethics or sila? Well, a Buddhist learns that if they act or speak with negative or malicious thoughts, suffering will inevitably follow them.

It is important to understand and practise good ethics to achieve enlightenment and reach nibbana.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following is not included in the ethics section of the Threefold Way? A, Right speech? B, Right action? C, Right understanding? Or D, Right livelihood? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

And the correct answer is C, Right understanding is not included in the ethics section of the Threefold Way.

Do you remember what section it is in? Well, it is in wisdom, panna.

Well done if you remembered that.

The section of meditation or samadhi emphasises the importance of meditation to develop wisdom and achieve enlightenment.

That is Right effort: so putting effort into meditation.

Right mindfulness: being aware of your thoughts and feelings and those of others.

And Right concentration: which is developing the mental focus needed for meditation.

The Buddha taught that achieving the nibbana requires three key practises known, as the Threefold Way.

Give one section of the Threefold Way.

For example, wisdom, panna.

Can you give one section of the Threefold Way? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Okay, welcome back everybody.

Perhaps you said ethics or sila.

Other possible answers you may have had are meditation or samadhi.

Well done everybody.

So now we're gonna complete our first practise task and I would like you to explain two sections of the Threefold Way.

In your answer, you need to refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching in your answer.

Here's some guidance on how to complete the answer.

So the question is asking to explain two sections of the Threefold Way.

So you need to give two points.

And for each point they need to be developed.

You also need to name and use a source and explain what it says or teaches.

So this might be a quote for example, from the Dhammapada, in this instant, or a general belief or teaching for example of the Buddha.

Good luck completing the practise task.

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

Okay, time to check your answers.

So I ask you to explain two sections of the Threefold Way.

Your answer may look something like this.

One section of the Threefold Way is wisdom, panna.

This means overcoming ignorance and understanding the Buddha's teachings by practising Right understanding and Right intention.

Another section of the Threefold Way is ethics or sila.

In the Dhammapada it says, "If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage." Note here how this is the reference to the source of authority as requested.

This means speaking in a positive way and acting peacefully otherwise there is a consequence.

So here we have two points and each points have been developed and there is also an inclusion of a source of authority, which in this case is the verse from the Dhammapada, and then that source of authority that verse has been explained.

Fantastic, well done on all your hard work on the practise task.

That moves us on to the second part of our lesson, and this is where we're going to look at the importance of the Threefold Way.

Niti, is Theravada Buddhist monk and he explains why the Threefold Way is important to him.

Niti says, "I imagine the Threefold Way as building blocks.

Imagine ethics as the foundation.

Above is meditation and at the top is wisdom.

I like to think of ethics as the foundation of the Threefold Way.

Without ethics, there can be no Buddhist practise.

Without ethics, I wouldn't be able to meditate successfully or gain much wisdom." Izzy asks, "Do you believe then that ethics is the most important section of the Threefold Way?" Niti responds, "I believe that all sections of the Threefold Way are important, but without ethics, sila, I think gaining wisdom, panna, and having the ability to meditate is very challenging.

To gain insight into the nature of reality, I believe I must pay close attention to ethics and the way that I act in the world." Okay, let's complete a check for understanding.

What is the meaning of ethics, a sila? A, moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes? B, insight into the true nature of reality? C, a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you selected A, moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes is the correct answer.

Linn, a Theravada Buddhist, explains why the Threefold Way is important to her.

Linn tells us, "I believe along with many Buddhists, that the Threefold Way was emphasised by the Buddha in the final stages of his life.

It covers the three most important things to remember: we need to lead an ethical life, to work on our mental state through meditation and through this we can gain wisdom.

I believe this is the basis for reaching enlightenment and ultimately attaining nibbana.

Tashi, a Mahayana Buddhist, explains why the Threefold Way is important to her.

Tashi tells us, "I believe that meditation, samadhi is important.

Right concentration and Right mindfulness help me build positive emotion.

Having positive emotions helps me speak and act more positively.

I believe this is what will help me develop good ethics, sila, and gain insight into the wisdom, panna." Okay, let's complete another check for understanding.

What is the meaning of meditation or samadhi? A, moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes? B, insight into the true nature of reality? Or C, a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

And well done to everybody that selected C as the correct answer.

Here is a full evaluation question using a statement about the Threefold Way.

So now we're gonna complete our second practise task.

The statement says, ethics, sila, is the most important section of the Threefold Way.

Evaluate this statement and in your answer you should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement.

You should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view and you should refer to Buddhist teachings and you should reach a justified conclusion.

I would like you to plan a point in support of this statement and a point to support a different point of view.

Give a point and develop each using Buddhist teachings.

Good luck completing the practise task.

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

Okay, welcome back everybody.

Time to check your answers.

So the statement said ethics, sila, is the most important section of the Threefold Way.

So your response may look something like this.

So in support of the statement, many Buddhists would argue that all aspects of the Threefold Way are important.

However, ethics, sila, may be seen as a foundation which helps 'em build up meditation samadhi and wisdom, panna.

To gain insight into the nature of reality, they must pay close attention to ethics and the way they act in the world.

A different point of view could be, some Buddhists may disagree if they believe that meditation, samadhi, is the most important section of the Threefold Way.

Right concentration and Right mindfulness help build positive emotion.

Having positive emotions will help Buddhist speak and act more positively and this is what will lead them to developing good ethics, sila, and gaining wisdom, panna.

Fantastic.

Well done on all your hard work on the practise task.

So that brings us to the third and final part of today's lesson where we consider the influence of the Threefold Way.

Izzy asks, "As a Buddhist, Linn, how are you influenced by the Threefold Way?" Linn responds, "I'm influenced to study the Buddhist Dhamma, so I gain wisdom, panna.

I do this by visiting the vihara each week.

Whilst they're the Sangha, which is the widest British community, and the British monks and nuns help me understand the Dhamma.

This helps me gain wisdom.

This is what I need to do to reach my goal of enlightenment and achieving nibbana.

Roshan, a Theravada Buddhist, he explains how the Threefold Way influences him.

He says, "Ethics, sila, influences me because I must act with kindness and compassion to others.

The Buddha taught that speaking and acting positively is important in reducing suffering.

This influences me to avoid swearing or taking something that isn't mine.

I believe this helps me gain good kamma, which is important to reach my goal of enlightenment and achieve nibbana." Okay, let's complete a check for understanding.

Which one of the following is not a way Buddhists are influenced by the Threefold Way? A, they study the Buddhist Dhamma? B, they take things that do not belong to them? Or C, they act and speak positively? You've got five seconds to choose the correct answer.

Okay, well done if you said the correct answer is B.

Fantastic, well done.

Tashi, a Mahayana Buddhist, explains how the Threefold Way influences her.

She tells us, "The Threefold Way influences me to meditate on a daily basis.

Through putting in the effort and thinking positively, it helps me become more mindful and I'm able to develop my mental concentration.

All these aspects help me to focus, which is a key requirement for meditation.

True or false? The Threefold Way will influence most Buddhists to meditate daily.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Fantastic, well done.

So this brings us on to our third and final practise task.

I would like you to explain two ways that the Threefold Way influences Buddhist today and here's some guidance on how to approach answering this question.

So first of all, you need to make a point, and this could be give one influence a Threefold Way would have on a Buddhist.

Is then good practise to develop that point.

So you could explain how this influence impacts the life of a Buddhist.

The question asks you to explain two ways a Threefold Way influences Buddhist, so you need to make a second point.

So you need to give another influence the Threefold Way would have on a Buddhist and develop that by explaining how this influence impacts a life of a Buddhist.

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

Okay, welcome back everybody.

Time to check your answers for the third practise task.

I asked you to explain two ways the Threefold Way influences Buddhist today.

Your answer may include these points.

Ethics, sila, influences Buddhists to always speak and act in a positive and truthful manner.

This includes acting in a way that doesn't cause harm to anyone and avoiding telling lies.

Meditation or samadhi influences Buddhists to meditate daily.

This helps develop mindfulness and mental concentration.

These aspects help to develop focus, which is a key requirement for meditation.

Fantastic, well done on all your hard work on the practise task today.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on the Threefold Way, and here's a summary of the key points that we have learned.

The Threefold Way is the three divisions of the Eightfold Path, wisdom, panna, ethics, sila, and meditation, samadhi.

Wisdom, panna consists of Right understanding and Right intention.

Ethics, sila, consists of Right speech, Right action, and Right livelihood.

Meditation, samadhi, consists of Right effort, Right mindfulness, and Right concentration.

And the Threefold Way influences Buddhists to study the Buddhists Dhamma to achieve wisdom, act and speak positively, avoid harm to living beings and meditate.

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

Goodbye.