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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Buddhahood and the Pure Land

I can explain the history and nature of the Pure Land and how it influences Buddhists today.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Buddhahood and the Pure Land

I can explain the history and nature of the Pure Land and how it influences Buddhists today.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Pure Land Buddhism follows the teaching of Amitabha (Amida) Buddha.
  2. Amitabha (Amida) Buddha features in Mahayana texts.
  3. He was a king who achieved enlightenment and created a kingdom free from suffering (a pure land).
  4. A goal of Pure Land Buddhists is to be reborn here.
  5. Alongside other Buddhist teachings, Pure Land Buddhists follow Amitabha (Amida) as a role model.

Keywords

  • Amitabha (Amida) - the Buddha worshipped by Pure Land Buddhists

  • Pure Land - a form of Mahayana Buddhism, based on a belief in Amitabha Buddha

  • Sukhavati - a place of paradise where Pure Land Buddhists wish to be reborn and the place where Amitabha Buddha resides

  • Buddhahood - reaching enlightenment

Common misconception

The Pure Land is nibbana (nirvana).

Some Pure Land Buddhists may believe this, while others believe it is a place to be reborn. The Pure Land is a land free from suffering and distractions, making it a more accessible place to attain enlightenment and achieve Buddhahood.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Buddhahood and the Pure Land, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Research the history of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan by exploring the teachings of Honen (1133-1212) and the developments made by his disciple Shinran (1173-1263).
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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

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:enlightenment,a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding
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a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding

Correct Answer:Arhat (Arahant),a perfected person who has reached enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism
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a perfected person who has reached enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism

Correct Answer:Bodhisattva,an enlightened being in Mahayana Buddhism who remains to help others
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an enlightened being in Mahayana Buddhism who remains to help others

Correct Answer:human destiny,the path a Buddhist will take to achieve enlightenment
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the path a Buddhist will take to achieve enlightenment

Q2.
What does the word ‘Mahayana’ mean?
Correct answer: 'great vehicle'
'path to peace'
'cycle of rebirth'
Q3.
What is the goal of an Arhat in Theravada Buddhism?
to help others achieve enlightenment
to be reborn in a Pure Land
Correct answer: to escape samsara and reach enlightenment
Q4.
What is the key difference between an Arhat and a Bodhisattva?
Correct answer: a Bodhisattva chooses to remain in samsara to help others
an Arhat follows the Eightfold Path while a Bodhisattva does not
a Bodhisattva achieves enlightenment faster than an Arhat
Q5.
Which Buddhist tradition places more emphasis on the Bodhisattva path?
Theravada
Correct answer: Mahayana
Zen
Q6.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of an Arhat?
removing all craving and desire
following the Eightfold Path
Correct answer: remaining in samsara to help others

6 Questions

Q1.
What do Pure Land Buddhists believe the Pure Land is free from?
Correct answer: suffering and distractions
rules and teachings
rebirth and kamma
Q2.
According to Pure Land Buddhism, what is a key way for Buddhists to be reborn in the Pure Land?
following the Eightfold Path
Correct answer: practising nembutsu
meditating for hours each day
Q3.
What is the name of the vow in which Amitabha promises that those who call on him will be reborn in his Pure Land?
Correct answer: the 18th Vow
the first Noble Truth
the Fourfold Path
Q4.
Why do Pure Land Buddhists want to be reborn in the Pure Land?
it is a place of enjoyment and happiness
Correct answer: they believe it makes enlightenment easier to attain
it guarantees them a better rebirth in their next life
Q5.
Amitabha Buddha made a vow that anyone who recites his name with faith will be in his Pure Land.
Correct Answer: reborn, Reborn, re-born
Q6.
Pure Land Buddhists believe that Sukhavati is a place of where they wish to be reborn.
Correct Answer: paradise, Paradise

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