Suffering and its causes
I can explain different states of suffering, the causes of suffering and how these influence Buddhists today.
Suffering and its causes
I can explain different states of suffering, the causes of suffering and how these influence Buddhists today.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Sermon at Benares was a teaching point used by the Buddha to help people understand suffering.
- The nature of life, including old age, sickness and death contributes to suffering.
- Change and impermanence are also significant contributors to the suffering we experience.
- Many Buddhists believe suffering is essential to help us understand ultimate reality and choose how to live.
- The Buddha's teachings on the causes of suffering influence Buddhists e.g. to stop cravings.
Keywords
Dukkha - a belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness
Craving - the ongoing state of desire which causes suffering; grasping at things we enjoy/want
The three poisons - causes of dukkha that affect all beings: ignorance, greed and hatred
Anicca - one of the three marks of existence, meaning nothing is permament
Tanha - a cause of suffering meaning ‘thirst’ or ‘craving’
Common misconception
Buddhism teaches that suffering is inherently bad or to be avoided at all costs.
Buddhism views suffering (dukkha) as an essential part of life. It’s not about denying suffering but understanding its nature and learning to live in a way that reduces unnecessary suffering.
To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Suffering and its causes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Suffering and its causes, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
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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