icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Bodhisattva ideals

I can explain Buddhist beliefs on Bodhisattva ideals, why the beliefs are important, and how they influence Buddhists today.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Bodhisattva ideals

I can explain Buddhist beliefs on Bodhisattva ideals, why the beliefs are important, and how they influence Buddhists today.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Mahayana means ‘great vehicle’, which refers to the idea of the Bodhisattva path as a ‘vehicle’ to Buddhahood.
  2. A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who remains in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment.
  3. Pure Land Buddhism follows the teaching of Amitabha (Amida) Buddha.
  4. Amitabha (Amida) Buddha features in Mahayana texts.
  5. Alongside other Buddhist teachings, Pure Land Buddhists follow Amitabha (Amida) as a role model.

Keywords

  • Enlightenment - a state of wisdom that enables clarity and understanding of the truths of existence

  • Buddhahood - reaching enlightenment

  • Bodhisattva - an enlightened being who remains in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment

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

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

Common misconception

The Pure Land is 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: Bodhisattva ideals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Watch a video clip about the Bodhisattva monk, Dharmakara, later known as Amitabha (Amida) Buddha. This will help develop pupil understanding of the history of Pure Land Buddhism.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

copyright

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

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
The goal of human destiny for many Theravada Buddhists is to become an ...
Correct Answer: Arhat, arhat
Q2.
What is the main goal of an Arhat?
to teach the Buddha’s Dhamma
to live a long life
Correct answer: to achieve enlightenment
Q3.
What is Nirvana in Theravada Buddhism?
Correct answer: the end of suffering
a place where monks live
a stage before enlightenment
Q4.
Which of these is a key focus of the Arhat path?
performing daily rituals
Correct answer: removing craving and desires
helping others reach enlightenment
Q5.
Why do many Theravada Buddhists follow the Eightfold Path?
Correct answer: to reach Nirvana
to gain wisdom
to become a teacher
Q6.
Theravada Buddhists seek to escape the of birth, life, death and samsara.
Correct Answer: cycle, Cycle

5 Questions

Q1.
Some Buddhists believe that Sukhavati is a land without suffering and distractions.
Correct Answer: pure, Pure
Q2.
What is the main goal of a Bodhisattva?
Correct answer: to help people achieve enlightenment
to escape samsara
to worship Amitabha Buddha
Q3.
Which Buddha do Pure Land Buddhists follow?
Siddhartha Gautama
Avalokiteshvara
Correct answer: Amitabha (Amida) Buddha
Q4.
What do Pure Land Buddhists believe about Sukhavati?
It is where all Buddhists are reborn.
Correct answer: It is a paradise free from suffering.
It is the highest level of enlightenment.
Q5.
How can Pure Land Buddhists be reborn in Sukhavati?
by following the Eightfold Path
by meditating daily
Correct answer: by reciting Amitabha’s name

Additional material

Download additional material