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June 2022

Q1.1: Which one of the following is the Buddhist term for impermanence?

Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Dharma B Anicca C Dukkha D Anatta

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: B Anicca

Q1.2: Give two things which happened to Siddhartha Gautama during his enlightenment.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority Mara, the evil one appeared / Mara tempted Siddhartha / he tried to stop Siddhartha from achieving enlightenment / Mara tried a number of tactics / notably he sent his daughters to seduce Siddhartha / he sent his armies to attack Siddhartha / he offered Siddhartha control of his kingdom / Mara himself tried to attack Siddhartha / Siddhartha stayed focused on his meditation / arrows directed at him turned to flowers / Siddhartha touched the earth / called upon the earth to witness his enlightenment / the earth shook to acknowledge his right to sit under the peepul tree and become enlightened / Siddhartha dispensed with fear, lust and pride as well as other negative emotions / during the night he experienced three important realisations (known as the three ‘watches’ of the night) / these were gaining knowledge of all his previous lives; understanding the cycle of births, deaths and rebirths and thirdly, why suffering happens / during his enlightenment, he realised the middle way (magga), etc.

Q1.3: Explain two ways in which understanding the Second Noble Truth about the causes

of suffering (samudaya) influences Buddhists today.

Answer:

influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • The second Noble Truth is about the causes or origins of suffering so understanding why people suffer / can influence people on decisions about how they can reduce suffering. • Buddhists could get rid of craving from their lives / Buddhists will want to rid themselves of craving / they will want to stop craving to have a happier life. • Buddhists could get rid of ignorance from their lives / by fully understanding the Dhamma • Buddhists may want to follow the Eightfold Path / kindness in their speech and actions to prevent • Buddhists may want to practise metta and karuna / giving to charity / showing kindness. • Not wanting to feel embarrassed about making a mistake / accepting when decisions are made. • Becoming less attached / understanding that all things are impermanent / understanding that • Realising that craving just leads to greed, hatred and ignorance / the Poisons that lead to suffering is relevant to greed, hatred and ignorance • Aspects of the Wheel of Life make reference to paticcasamuppada as the causes of suffering,

Q1.4: Explain two of the Six Perfections that Mahayanan Buddhists try to develop.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching in your answer.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching – 1 mark Students can discuss any two of:- generosity; morality; patience; energy; meditation and wisdom. • The first perfection is concerned with the cultivation of giving / this giving could be material goods such as food, giving protection from fear ie helping those in trouble and to give the dhamma to help people become enlightened. • The second perfection concerns the cultivation of morality / to keep to the five moral precepts; not to kill or harm others, not to steal, not to commit sexual immorality, not to lie and not to take intoxicants / it could also include not praising oneself or speaking ill of others, not being stingy, not being angry. • The third perfection is patience / being tolerant of others, learning to endure personal hardship, practising compassion for others / accepting the First Noble Truth and helping others to endure it. • The fourth perfection is energy / the cultivation of mental energy and strength to put as much effort in as one can to practise the Dhamma; look after one's health and study the Buddha's • The fifth perfection is meditation / to develop a still and calm mind and become more focused; gain a deeper insight to reality and the Buddha's Dhamma, bringing compassion to others and • The sixth perfection is wisdom / this is a combination of the first five and establishing a true understanding of the nature of reality and the Buddha's Dhamma; developing the right approach and outlook to following the Noble Eightfold Path, etc. NB if students use different language for some of the perfections, they can still receive credit ie if they gave a response which included aspects of the Eightfold Path about right action and it included a reference to caring generously for others, it may be relevant. Possible teachings might include: • ‘Skilful virtues have freedom from remorse as their purpose, Ananda, and freedom from remorse as their reward.’ Kimattha Sutta • ‘The sterling qualities distinguishing the man of virtue are generosity, truthfulness, patience, and compassion.’ Dhammapada (223) • Dana paramita: generosity, giving of oneself; Sila paramita: virtue, morality, discipline, proper conduct; Kṣanti paramita: patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance Vīrya paramita: energy, diligence, vigour, effort; Dhyana paramita: one-pointed concentration, contemplation; Prajna paramita: wisdom, insight [as listed in the Prajnaparamita sutras, the Lotus Sutra and a large number of other Mahayana texts], etc.

Q1.5: ‘For Buddhists, it is easy to follow the Five Moral Precepts.’

Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Buddhist teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.

[SPaG 3 marks]

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Answer:

In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [SPaG 3 marks] understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.

Arguments in support

• The Five Moral Precepts are principles that Buddhists voluntarily practise so no punishment by a god or external power for not following them. • They are all about a basic standard of behaviour so should not be too demanding. • Buddhists will want to ‘cease to do evil, do only good; purify the mind.’ Dhammapada verse 183; so will be keen to practise this skilful behaviour. • Buddhists want to achieve enlightenment and following the five moral precepts are part of the path to enlightenment. • A Buddhist will want to avoid causing suffering so keeping to the five moral precepts is just an accepted part of this process. • Following the five moral precepts is all part of the accepted bigger picture of morality in Buddhism, ie showing karuna (compassion) and metta (loving kindness), etc.

Arguments in support of other views

• Buddhists may struggle with how they balance one precept against another; being truthful may lead to harm. • Sometimes, it may be more ethical to lie, particularly if this lie is motivated by genuine kindness. • Being a meat eater would acknowledge that harm comes to animals in the process. • Lying or gossiping may be difficult to avoid in a media driven world. • The third moral precept is often debated in Buddhism with no consensus view so difficult to follow in terms of sex before marriage; sex outside of marriage; same sex relationships; unprotected • Keeping to the fifth precept is difficult in a modern world that involves the social side of drinking