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INTRODUCTION
TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND
BELIEF SYSTEMS
Quarter 4 – Module 9:
Theravada Buddhism
Joan E. Tomarong
Compiler/Contextualizer

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

 Second Semester
Quarter 4: Week 9
Theravada Buddhism

Content Standard : The learner demonstrates an understanding of

The elements of Theravada Buddhism.

Performance Standard : The learner evaluates the Eightfold Path in terms of how
it achieves the Middle Way.

Learning Outcomes : Upon completion of the module, the student

is expected to explain the core teaching of Theravada
Buddhism.

Competencies : Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental

beliefs, practices, and related issues of Theravada
Buddhism.

What I Know

Instruction: Let us try to check how far you have known about Theravada Buddhism
in the past by answering these few questions. You may write your
answers in any size of paper. Choose the letter of the correct answer
and write it on a sheet of paper.

1. What was the real name of the founder of Buddhism?

A. Nagarjuna Devadatta C. Ashoka Vriksha
B. Siddharta Gautama D. Nagasena Milindapanna

2. The “Buddha” means

A. The right one C. The awakened one
B. The divine one D. The chosen one

3. The Buddha gave his first teaching and this moment is referred to as what?
A. The turning of the wheel of dharma C. The elevation of the masses of people
B. The coronation of the divine king D. The elimination of the stain of karma

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4.The oldest sect of Buddhism, which is mostly practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand and
some parts of Southeast Asia is:
A. Idlivada C Mahayana
B. Ramayana D. Theravada

5. The story of the miraculous birth of the Buddha could be read as a portrayal of
his:
A. uniqueness and rarity C. Charisma and authority
B. Godliness and Sacredness D. Wealth and royalty

6.The Buddha in our era was born into a family from the:
A. Ekapratishata or Upper-class C. Brahmin or Priest class
B. Kshatriya or Royal class D. Vaishya or Farmer class

7.Which of the following are NOT among the items in the Noble Eightfold Path
A. Right action C. Right mindfulness
B. Right belief D. Right effort

8. Trsna (tanha) or thirst, is associated with which of the noble truths

A. First C. Third
B. Second D. Fourth

9.Which of the following is not one of the three “fires/poisons” found in the center of
a bhava cakra (Wheel of Life) illustrated by the rooster, pig, and snake?
A. Greed C. Delusion
B. Dishonesty D. Hatred

10. The Buddha’s middle path is between

A. Wisdom and ignorance C. Bliss and ignorance
B. Ascetism and materialism D. Immortality and finitude

11.In what century did the Theravada Buddhism emerge

A. 5th Century C. 3rd Century
B. 6th Century D. 4th Century

12. Why does Theravada Buddhism believe it is impossible to be a Buddha?

A. because we are human C. only relatives of Siddharta can be a Buddha
B. there can only be one Buddha at a time in the world D. Buddhas have to resemble
Jesus

13. What is Theravada Buddhism means?

A. based on the original teachings of the Buddha C. mostly practiced in Japan
B. accepts Mahayana sutras D. newer than Mahayana Buddhism

14.What is arhat in Theravada Buddhism?

A. a holy scripture C. a perfectly enlightened being
B. an apprentice monk D. a temple

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15.In Theravada Buddhism who can achieve nirvana?
A. anyone C. only monks
B. sutras D. only the Buddha

What I Need to Know

This module is intended for Senior High School Students Introduction to World
Regions and Belief Systems is a specialized subject for Senior High School
Curriculum. Module 9 entitled Theravada Buddhism will discuss on how Judaism.
Christianity and Islam manifest uniqueness and similarities as well as their
relevance in the world today.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
▪ discuss the elements of Theravada Buddhism;
▪ give examples of situations that demonstrate cravings which may lead
to suffering according to Theravada Buddhism
▪ explain the core teaching of Theravada Buddhism is that life is
suffering; suffering is due to craving; there is a way to overcome craving;
and the way to overcome craving is the Eight-fold Path, the Middle Way
(between pleasure and mortification)
▪ evaluate the Eight-fold Path in terms of how it achieves the Middle Way

Lesson
9
Theravada
Buddhism

What’s In

Buddhism is one of the most practical among the world’s great religions
because its belief system intends to meet basic human needs and solve humankind’s
spiritual problem without depending on supernatural forces (Brown 1975). The two
main divisions of the religion are Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism.
With around 360 million followers, Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China,
Japan, and Mongolia. Meanwhile, Theravada Buddhism, with 150 million adherents,
is followed in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Buddhism is the religion of around
500 million people or about 7% to 8% of the world’s population. Buddhist followers
are mostly found in the Asian continent, with China having the largest population at
around 244 million or 18% of its total population. Asian countries that have the

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highest Buddhist majority in terms of population include Cambodia (97%), Thailand
(93%), Myanmar (80%), Bhutan (75%), Sri Lanka (69%), and Laos (66%). Buddhism
has two main divisions and many sects.
A major branch of the religion, Theravada Buddhism (“school of elder monks”
or “school of the ancients”) or the “Southern School of Buddhism” draws on the
collected teachings of the oldest recorded texts of Buddhist texts to become its central
precept, the Pali Canon. This school claims to have preserved the original teachings
of Siddhartha with pristine purity (Clasper 1992). Theravada Buddhism has gained
considerable following in the West in modern times.
Theravada Buddhism is a major Buddhist sect that adheres to the original
practices and doctrines preached by Siddhartha Gautama. Attainment of salvation
for any Buddhist.

What’s New

ACTIVITY 1: PICTURE PERFECT

Instruction: The pictures below show the four-noble truth of Theravada Buddhism.
States the noble truth in each photo. Use separate sheet for your
answers.

What Is It

The teaching of Siddhartha includes discourses on the basic tenets of

Buddhism, such as the “Four Noble Truths” and the “Noble Eightfold Path.”
Siddhartha’s pursuit for enlightenment was due to the dissatisfaction be continually
experienced despite living an opulent life in the palace. He analyzed the problem of
dukkha (suffering) that led him to arrive to the basic law of causation or the “Four
Noble Truths”, this profound doctrine is the heart of Buddhism, summarized below.

THERAVADA BELIEFS

The Noble Virtues of Theravada Buddhism are loving kindness,

understanding, serenity and satisfaction for others’ well-being.
Theravada Buddhism doctrine stresses the three principal aspects of existence:

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1) dukkha -stress, suffering, pursuit of desire, disease, impurity
2) anicca-impermanence, transience and temporary state of all things
3) annatta-the illusion and non-essentiality of reality and the non-existence of a
permanent ‘soul’
Merit is earned by giving alms to monks and making donations and offerings at
temples. Buddhists believe by gaining merit they will improve their station in the
next life.
The Triranta, or Triple Gems, respected by Theravada Buddhists are Buddha
(teacher), Dharma (teachings), & Sangha (the Buddhist brotherhood, monks)

SACRED SCRIPTURES

Tripitaka (Tipitaka in Pali) is the earliest collection of Buddhist teachings

and the only text recognized as canonical by Theravada Buddhist. Tripitaka means
“three basket”, from the way in which it was originally recorded: the text was written
on long, narrow leaves, which were sewn at the edges then grouped into bunches
and stored in baskets. The Tripitaka was handed down orally, the written down in
the third century B.C.E. According to Buddhist tradition, the contents of the
Tripitaka were determined at the First Buddhist Council, shortly after the death of
Buddha. As many as Buddha’s disciples assembled, and at the direction of
Mahakashypa, Buddha’s successor, the teachings of Buddha were recited in full.

Shortly after his awakening, Buddha began teaching others of his

concept of human condition and how to liberate oneself. He did so by establishing a
framework of thought called the Four noble truths.

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

1. The Noble Truth of dukkha (suffering, unsatisfactoriness, stress): life is
fundamentally fraught with unsatisfactoriness and disappointment of every
description.
2. The Noble Truth of the cause of dukkha: the cause of this dissatisfaction is tanha
(craving) in all its forms;
3. The Noble Truth of the cessation of dukkha: an end to all that unsatisfactoriness
can be found through the relinquishment and abandonment of craving;
4. The Noble Truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha: there is a method
of achieving the end of all unsatisfactoriness, namely the Noble Eightfold Path;

Walking in the Middle Way

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 The Eightfold Path is describe as walking in the Middle Way between
complete pleasure and complete mortification, this relates to the origin of Siddhartha
Gautama because he wasn’t able to find peace in high status or as lowly monk, only
when he gathered enough wisdom from both ends of spectrum then reached nirvana.

EIGHTFOLD PATH WHAT ONE MUST DO

RIGHT VIEW Understand the “Four Noble Truths”

RIGHT INTENTION Free one’s self from ill-will, cruelty and untruthfulness

RIGHT SPEECH Abstain from untruthfulness, tale-bearing, harsh

language and vain talk

RIGHT ACTION Abstain from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct

RIGHT LIVELIHOOD Earn a living in a way not harmful to any living thing

RIGHT EFFORT Avoid evil thoughts and overcome them, arouse good
thoughts and maintain them

RIGHT MINDFULNESS Pay vigilant attention to every state of the body, feeling
and mind

RIGHT CONCENTRATION Concentrate on a single object so as to induce certain

special states of consciousness in deep meditation

Theravada Buddhism emphasizes attaining self-liberation through

one's own efforts. Meditation and concentration are vital elements of the way to
enlightenment. The ideal road is to dedicate oneself to full-time monastic life. The
follower is expected to "abstain from all kinds of evil, to accumulate all that is good
and to purify their mind".

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 When a person achieves liberation, they are called a 'worthy person' -
an Arhat or Arahat. Despite the monastic emphasis, Theravada Buddhism has a
substantial role and place for lay followers. The code of behavior for lay people is
much less strict than that for monks. They follow the five basic Buddhist
principles/precepts.
The Five Precepts are to undertake the rule of training to:
•Refrain from harming living beings.
•Refrain from taking that which is not freely given.
•Refrain from sexual misconduct.
•Refrain from wrong speech, such as lying, idle chatter, malicious gossip or harsh
speech.
•Refrain from intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness

LAW OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION (Paticca-samuppada)

One of the most important teachings of the Buddha and it is also very
profound. With everything built upon a set of relations, it follows that every effect
has a definite cause, and every cause has a definite effect. In Buddhism, dependent
origination is a twelve-linked chain that explicates how all things are inter-
connected, how error and attachment to error occur, and how, if the chain is
untangled. It also explains the problem of suffering and rebirth. As a result of this
law of action, a being will be born in different states based on one’s accumulated
good and bad actions in the past.

IMPERMANENCE OF THINGS
An unavoidable fact of human existence. Buddhism affirms five
processes deemed uncontrollable by any individual: old age, sickness, dying, decay
and death. The one who achieved nirvana called arhat or one who is “worthy of
honor”.

ACTIVITY 2: FINDING PERFECT MATCH!

Instruction: Match the description of the eightfold path seen in the Column A to
Column B. Write the letter of your choice on a separate sheet of paper.

Column A Column B

1. See the world as it is, accept the existence of Dukkha A. Right Livelihood
and understand there is a path to freedom.
2. Make sure your words are kind and helpful. Speak in B. Right Effort
a positive and truthful way.
3. Show as serious commitment to developing the right C. Right Mindfulness
and mental thought and attitude.
4. Work hard to make all thought, speech, and actions D. Right Concentration
positive.

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3. Earn a living in a way that is an honest and doesn’t E. Right View
harm any living things.
5. Concentrate the mind. Get rid of bad thoughts and find F. Right Intention
calm.
G. Right Speech

H. Right Action

What’s More

Let’s see if you know the teachings and beliefs given examples of situations
that demonstrate cravings which may lead to suffering according to Theravada
Buddhism.

Activity 3: FILL MY CRAVING

Direction: Below you find four terrible diseases, a doctor has examined each of the
patients and now has to aid the patient to get better again. Find and fill in the
answers in the correct boxes. Do this on a separate sheet of paper.

Dukkha Cause of dukkha Cessation of Path leading to

dukkha cessation of
dukkha

Sweetyrithis Ex. Desire to eat Eat significantly Try other types of

sweets all the less sweets. food as well.
time.

Lazy fever

Facebook
syndromes

What I Have Learned

Let us determine if you can now explain the core teaching of Theravada
Buddhism.

Activity 4: LET ME HEAR YOUR THOGHTS!

Instruction: Explain the statement below. Write your answer on a separate sheet of

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 paper.

Rubrics:

Score Description

10 Answers are on point. All are grammatically correct and neat.

7 There are 1-2 misleading answers. 1-2 are grammatically incorrect and
erasures.

4 There are 3 or more misleading answers. 3 or more grammatically

incorrect and erasures.

What I Can Do

Let’s find out if you know how to apply the teachings and beliefs of
Theravada Buddhism.

ACTIVITY 6: COMPLETE THE TABLE

Instruction: Below are the given scenarios, you have to write what are the action
you’re going to make and what Theravada Buddhism like you to do.
Do this in your activity notebook.

What would Theravada

Scenario What would you do? Buddhism like you to
do?

You are in the hallway

and a group of students
are bullying a student
you don’t know because
of her weight.

The new iPhone is

coming out. The phone
you have now works
perfectly fine and is less
than a year old. Your
family says that they will

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 buy the new iPhone for
you.

You are taking the exam

in the morning. That
night, your friend asks
you if you want to go to a
party.

Rubrics:

Score Description

10 Answers are on point. All are grammatically correct and neat.

7 There are 1-2 misleading answers. 1-2 are grammatically

incorrect and erasures.

4 There are 3 or more misleading answers. 3 or more grammatically

incorrect and erasures.

Assessment

Instruction: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on a sheet of paper.

1. Which event happened after Siddhartha saw a very old man and before he saw a
dead man?
A. Siddhartha was born under a tree.
B. Siddhartha went out of the palace for the first time.
C. Siddhartha was married.
D. Siddhartha saw a sick man.

2. From the story we know that Siddhartha:

A. had an easy life.
B. liked being stuck in the palace.
C. was unhappy at the palace.
D. wanted to find the cause of suffering.

3. All of these are true except:

A. Siddhartha became the Buddha.
B. Siddhartha’s mother’s name was Maya.
C. Siddhartha never got married.
D. Siddhartha left the palace four times.

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4. The reason Siddhartha left the palace was:
A. He did not like his father.
B. He could get richer if he left.
C. He liked the things outside the palace.
D. He needed to an answer to an important question.

5. We can tell from the story that Siddhartha’s father:

A. wanted him to do whatever he wanted to do.
B. tried to keep him from becoming a holy man.
C. was not a part of his life.
D. talked to him a lot about what he wanted to do.

6.In what century did the Theravada Buddhism emerge

A. 5th Century C. 3rd Century
B. 6 Century
th D. 4th Century

7. Why does Theravada Buddhism believe it is impossible to be a Buddha?

A. because we are human
B. there can only be one Buddha at a time in the world
C. only relatives of Siddharta can be a Buddha
D. Buddhas have to resemble Jesus

8. What is Theravada Buddhism means?

A. based on the original teachings of the Buddha
B. accepts Mahayana sutras
C. mostly practiced in Japan
D. newer than Mahayana Buddhism

9.What is arhat in Theravada Buddhism?

A. a holy scripture C. a perfectly enlightened being
B. an apprentice monk D. a temple

10.In Theravada Buddhism who can achieve nirvana?

A. anyone C. only monks
B. sutras D. only the Buddha

11. The Buddha gave his first teaching and this moment is referred to as what?
A. The turning of the wheel of dharma
B. The coronation of the divine king
C. The elevation of the masses of people
D. The elimination of the stain of karma

12.The oldest sect of Buddhism, which is mostly practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand
and some parts of Southeast Asia is:
A. Idlivada C. Mahayana
B. Ramayana D. Theravada

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13. The story of the miraculous birth of the Buddha could be read as a portrayal of
his:
A. uniqueness and rarity C. Charisma and authority
B. Godliness and Sacredness D. Wealth and royalty

9.The Buddha in our era was born into a family from the:
A. Ekapratishata or Upper-class C. Brahmin or Priest class
B. Kshatriya or Royal class D. Vaishya or Farmer class

13.Which of the following are NOT among the items in the Noble Eightfold Path
A. Right action C. Right mindfulness
B. Right belief D. Right effort

14. What was the real name of the founder of Buddhism?

A. Nagarjuna Devadatta C. Ashoka Vriksha
B. Siddharta Gautama D. Nagasena Milindapanna

15. The “Buddha” means

A. The right one C. The awakened one
B. The divine one D. The chosen one

13. Trsna (tanha) or thirst, is associated with which of the noble truths.
A. First C. Third
B. Second D. Fourth

16.Which of the following is not one of the three “fires/poisons” found in the center
of a bhavacakra (Wheel of Life) illustrated by the rooster, pig, and snake?
A. Greed C. Delusion
B. Dishonesty D. Hatred

17. The Buddha’s middle path is between__.

A. Wisdom and ignorance C. Bliss and ignorance
B. Ascetism and materialism D. Immortality and finitude

Additional Activities

I am proud of the way you worked today! You are almost done in Module 9.

Instruction: Using Venn Diagram, illustrate the similarities and differences of the
“Ten Commandments” and “Noble Eightfold Path.”

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 References

Books:
Atim, Ben Carlo N. (2016). Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems.
Makati City, Philippines: Diwa Learning Systems Inc.

Ong, Jerome A. and Jose dl.,Mary Dorothy 2016. Introduction to World

Religions and Belief Systems. Quezon City, Philippines: Vibal Group, Inc.

Cornelio et.al 2016.Introduction to World Religions and Belief

Systems.Quezon City,Philippines: REX Book Store Inc.

Online Sources:
www.google.org
www.wikipedia
pinterest.ph
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/whats-thera.htm

file:///C:/Users/KYCIE/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_
8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/231510769-Buddhism-Lesson-
Plans%20(1).pdf

https://www.scribd.com/presentation/337682848/Theravada-Buddhism

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEh68dNtWE

Retrieved on May 20,2021

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education - Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)

Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex

Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600

Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985

Email Address: blr.lrqad@deped.gov.ph * blr.lrpd@deped.gov.ph

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