New
New
Year 8
Sangha - diverse lay Buddhist community
I can explain the diverse ways lay Buddhists live and the significance of the Sangha to lay Buddhists.
New
New
Year 8
Sangha - diverse lay Buddhist community
I can explain the diverse ways lay Buddhists live and the significance of the Sangha to lay Buddhists.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Sangha refers to the whole Buddhist community, including lay people.
- Lay Buddhists practise Buddhism in different ways through varying interpretations of the dhamma.
- Lay Buddhist practice will differ depending on where they live.
- There are lay Buddhist communities in the UK.
Keywords
Sangha - the wider Buddhist community, including monks and nuns
Community - a group of people working or living together with a common vision
Lay - a follower of Buddhism who is not a monk or nun
Alms - offering food or donations to monks and nuns as a means of supporting monastic life
Common misconception
Only monks and nuns can be classed as the Sangha referred to in the three jewels.
This is incorrect, the lay Buddhist community is also part of the Sangha.
Pupils could research the history of Buddhism within the UK.
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.
Which key word means 'a man who dedicates himself to a simple life of devotion to Buddhism'?
nun
Sangha
Q2.
What is the name given to the place where Buddhist monks and nuns live?
a Church
a Mandir
a Gurdwara
Q3.
Which of the three jewels is the Sangha?
the first
the second
the fourth
the fifth
Q4.
Theravada Buddhism is practised widely in which of these countries?
Japan
China
Q5.
Which two things may a Buddhist monk or nun do on a daily basis?
live a busy life
Q6.
Select two reasons why monks and nuns are significant for most Buddhists.
they give additional duties to others
Exit quiz
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5 Questions
Q1.
In the three jewels, who does the Sangha refer to?
Buddhist monks and nuns only
Buddhist lay people
Q2.
What does it mean to give alms?
Buddhist monks and nuns offering food to lay Buddhists
offering food or donations to other lay Buddhists
Q3.
Which of the following countries in Asia has the highest population of Buddhists?
Cambodia
Sri Lanka
Q4.
How might lay Buddhists in the UK follow the Buddha's Dhamma?
live in a monastery
attend a community centre
Q5.
Why is the Sangha significant for most lay Buddhists?
it offers a place to pray to God