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New
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Year 10
AQA

The Threefold Way

I can explain the Threefold Way, why it is important and how it influences Buddhists.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA

The Threefold Way

I can explain the Threefold Way, why it is important and how it influences Buddhists.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. This is another name for the Eightfold Path, split into categories.
  2. It contains the three aspects: ethics, meditation and wisdom.
  3. Right action, speech and livelihood are a part of 'ethics'.
  4. Right mindfulness, effort and concentration come under 'meditation'.
  5. Right view and intention are categorised as 'wisdom'.

Keywords

  • The Threefold Way - the three divisions of the Eightfold Path: ethics, meditation, and wisdom

  • Nibbana (nirvana) - the belief that individuals can achieve a state of perfect peace where they experience liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth

  • Wisdom (panna) - insight into the true nature of reality

  • Ethics (sila) - moral principles that inform behaviour and attitudes

  • Meditation (samadhi) - a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness

Common misconception

The Threefold Way categories can be practiced independently or in isolation.

Each element strengthens the others. They are not isolated practices but interconnected stages on the path to attaining nibbana (nirvana), liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: The Threefold Way, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson links with learning on the Eightfold Path.
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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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6 Questions

Q1.
The final Noble Truth is known as the , and guides Buddhists towards enlightenment.
Correct Answer: Eightfold Path, eightfold path, Magga, magga
Q2.
In Buddhist teachings, the animal that represents greed and selfish desire on the Wheel of Life is the .
Correct Answer: Cockerel, cockerel, the cockerel
Q3.
How do most Buddhists practise the Eightfold Path?
by following each stage in order, one at a time
by focusing only on meditation
Correct answer: by practising all stages at the same time
by choosing only the easiest stages to follow
Q4.
Which of these is an example of 'Right livelihood'?
becoming a soldier
selling alcohol
Correct answer: working in a hospital
running a gambling business
Q5.
In Buddhist teachings, which animal represents ignorance?
Correct answer: the pig
the snake
the cockerel
the monkey
Q6.
What do the Three Poisons lead to, according to Buddhist teachings?
enlightenment
Correct answer: dukkha (suffering)
rebirth in the Pure Land
nirvana

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is part of the 'ethics' section of the Threefold Way?
Correct answer: Right livelihood
Right effort
Right concentration
Right intention
Q2.
The Threefold Way is a simplified version of the Eightfold Path, divided into three sections: ethics, meditation, and .
Correct Answer: wisdom, Wisdom, panna
Q3.
Which of these best describes the role of meditation (samadhi) in the Threefold Way?
following moral guidelines
gaining insight into reality
Correct answer: training the mind to develop concentration
helping others in daily life
Q4.
Which of these is part of the wisdom (panna) section of the Threefold Way?
Right effort
Right mindfulness
Correct answer: Right intention
Right speech
Q5.
Why is ethics (sila) important in the Threefold Way?
Correct answer: it helps Buddhists gain good kamma and reduce suffering
it teaches Buddhists how to meditate correctly
it encourages Buddhists to isolate themselves from others
It allows Buddhists to focus only on personal enlightenment
Q6.
How does the Threefold Way help Buddhists reach enlightenment?
it encourages Buddhists to focus only on meditation
Correct answer: it provides a structured approach combining wisdom, ethics and meditation
it allows Buddhists to focus only on moral actions and happiness
it suggests that wisdom alone is enough for enlightenment