Who is the Dalai Lama?

In this final lesson on Buddhism, we will begin learning about reincarnation, which is the Buddhist notion of rebirth. We will learn about karma and the belief that a being's actions determine whether the rebirth is positive or negative. We will then go on to learn about the Dalai Lama, who is someone some Buddhists believe has reached enlightenment, but remains on Earth to help others reach enlightenment or Nirvana.

Who is the Dalai Lama?

In this final lesson on Buddhism, we will begin learning about reincarnation, which is the Buddhist notion of rebirth. We will learn about karma and the belief that a being's actions determine whether the rebirth is positive or negative. We will then go on to learn about the Dalai Lama, who is someone some Buddhists believe has reached enlightenment, but remains on Earth to help others reach enlightenment or Nirvana.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
  2. The role and status of the Dalai Lama
  3. The teachings of the current Dalai Lama
  4. The concept of reincarnation, and process for selecting a new Dalai Lama

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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5 Questions

Q1.
Where did Buddhism first originate?
China/Tibet
Correct answer: India/Nepal
India/Russia
Nepal/China
Q2.
Which of the following did Siddhartha Gautama see on his walk? (Be careful - you must select four answers to get all four marks!)
Correct answer: A corpse
A family
Correct answer: A frail, old man
Correct answer: A holy man
A holy woman
Correct answer: A sick man
A sick woman
A weak woman
Q3.
Which of the following make up the three baskets of wisdom from the Tipitaka? (Select three to get all three marks!)
Correct answer: The Discipline Basket
Correct answer: The Higher Doctrine Basket
The Meditation Basket
Correct answer: The Teaching Basket
The Wisdom Basket
Q4.
What do Buddhists sometimes focus on when they meditate? (Tick two to get both points.)
A book
Correct answer: A candle
Correct answer: A flower
A photograph
Q5.
Wesak falls on a different day every year because…
Buddhists can’t agree about when the Buddha was born.
It falls on the day of his birth, then the day of his enlightenment and finally the day of his death.
Correct answer: It is based on the cycles of the moon.

5 Questions

Q1.
Buddhism is the only religion that believes in reincarnation.
Correct answer: False
True
Q2.
The Buddha taught that reincarnation is painful and causes suffering.
False
Correct answer: True
Q3.
How many realms are there in the wheel of life?
2
4
Correct answer: 6
Q4.
What type of being do Buddhists believe one has to be reborn as, in order to escape the cycle of samsara?
A God
Correct answer: A human
An animal
Q5.
Where is the Dalai Lama originally from?
India
Japan
Correct answer: Tibet

Lesson appears in

UnitReligious education / Buddhism

Religious education