New
New
Year 5
Siddhartha: craving and suffering
I can explain how Siddhartha realised that the answer to suffering was to stop craving.
New
New
Year 5
Siddhartha: craving and suffering
I can explain how Siddhartha realised that the answer to suffering was to stop craving.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Siddhartha became very weak after fasting, but he had still not discovered the cause of suffering.
- He decided that the Middle Way was the best way to live.
- Siddhartha realised that the source of suffering was craving and the way to stop suffering was to stop craving.
- Buddhists call this the Four Noble Truths.
Keywords
Craving - longing for something or someone
Fasting - doing without food or drink
The Middle Way - the path that falls between the two extremes of luxury and poverty
Common misconception
Siddhartha discovered the answer to suffering through fasting.
This did not give him the answer. It was when he stopped being an ascetic and chose the 'middle way' between extreme luxury and extreme self-denial that he found the answer.
This is a sensitive topic including discussion of suffering and its causes.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What is the meaning of 'ascetic'?
living in luxury
living with worldly possessions
Q2.
What was the fourth sight seen by Siddhartha?
the old man
the sick man
death
Q3.
Which key word means 'a prediction of what will happen in the future'?
prophet
ascetic
Q4.
In which village was Siddhartha born?
Q5.
After the four sights, why did Siddhartha leave the palace?
to discover the cause of ageing
to discover the cause of illness
Q6.
Put the story of the early life of Siddhartha in the correct order.
Exit quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.
For how many years did Siddhartha fast?
one
three
four
eight
Q2.
What is the meaning of 'craving'?
the path that falls between the two extremes of luxury and poverty
doing without food or drink
Q3.
What is the name of the way that falls between the two extremes of luxury and poverty?
Q4.
Put the Four Noble Truths in the correct order.
Additional material
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