Human personality in Theravada tradition
I can explain the Theravada Buddhist belief in the human personality and how this influences Theravada Buddhists today.
Human personality in Theravada tradition
I can explain the Theravada Buddhist belief in the human personality and how this influences Theravada Buddhists today.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In Theravada Buddhism, a human is understood to be a combination of five elements known as the Five Aggregates(Skandhas)
- A human is made up of Five Aggregates (Skandhas) – body, sensation, perception, thoughts and consciousness.
- This helps Buddhists to understand the concept of 'no-self'.
- Understanding the truth about existence and the self helps Buddhists understand ultimate reality.
- Theravada Buddhists are influenced by the Five Aggregates (Skandhas) to avoid attachments and cravings.
Keywords
Form - physical form which includes the physical elements and physical organs
Sensation - the feelings that arise from our sense organs
Perception - how we perceive the world, the meaning we put on to what we experience
Mental formations - mental activities which lead a person to actions and produce kamma (karma)
Consciousness - the state of being aware of something
Common misconception
The Five Aggregates represent a "self" or a "soul" that are permanent or fixed.
The Five Aggregates are constantly changing, and none of them are permanent or fixed. Each aggregate is subject to impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta). They show that there is no independent, permanent self.
To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Human personality in Theravada tradition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Human personality in Theravada tradition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Buddhism: beliefs unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
5 Questions
physical form which includes the physical elements and physical organs
the feelings that arise from our sense organs
how we perceive the world, the meaning we put on to what we experience
mental activities which lead a person to actions and produce kamma
the state of being aware of something