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June 2024

Q1.1: Which one of the following means compassion in Buddhism?

Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Karuna B Metta C Panna D Tanha

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: A Karuna

Q1.2: Give two of the Three Poisons.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority Greed (cockerel) / hatred (snake) / delusion or ignorance (pig) / accept these three poisons in Pali which are known as lobha (greed) / moha (ignorance) / dosa (hatred).

Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in dependent arising (paticcasamuppada) influences

Buddhists today.

Question 1 continues on the next page

Answer:

influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • Dependent arising influences Buddhists today by realising that everything is interconnected, interrelated and inter dependent. • This means that everything, whether mental or physical, exists and occurs because of the presence of certain conditions / everything is dependent on other things / eg people crave things. • Past causes, such as ignorance, can become part of a person’s consciousness / which means their feelings may be affected in the present. • Past causes such as cravings, are linked to future effects, such as ageing and death / for example, unhealthy cravings (such as too much bad food) may mean a person becomes ill in old age / Buddhists may avoid jobs or professions that might have connections with craving and • Dependent arising may influence the way a Buddhist behaves and have an impact on their ethical conduct / because paticcasamuppada makes Buddhists aware that their actions may have consequences / and therefore they may aim to treat others in a positive way / treating others with loving kindness (also known as metta) will bring Buddhists closer to being reborn into a higher spiritual world (nibbana) / this process is also known as kamma (karma), etc.

Q1.4: Explain two beliefs about the Bodhisattva ideals.

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 • A bodhisattva is an enlightened being / who sees their own enlightenment as being bound up with the enlightenment of all beings. • A bodhisattva is someone who believes their own enlightenment is not as important as helping others to reach enlightenment / selfless action. • Out of compassion (karuna) they remain in the cycle of samsara / in order to help other beings achieve enlightenment as well. • A bodhisattva is someone who has generated bodhicitta / ‘Buddha mind’ / mindfulness / • A bodhisattva is someone who has attained the ‘four abodes’ / loving kindness (metta) / compassion (karuna) / sympathetic joy (mudita) / equanimity (upekkha). • Bodhisattvas combine compassion with wisdom / so they have the wisdom needed to help others achieve enlightenment / they have the compassion to want to help others achieve enlightenment. • A person becomes a bodhisattva by perfecting six earthly attributes / generosity / morality / patience / energy / meditation / wisdom. • A Bodhisattva may choose to remain on earth or master four more heavenly perfections / skill in means / resolution / strength and knowledge, etc. • Amitabha or Amida is the Bodhisattva that resides in the Pure Land / Pure Land Buddhism followers may pray to him and chant his name. Accept beliefs about specific bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Kshitagarbha and

Sources of authority might include:

‘However innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them; however inexhaustible the defilements are, I vow to remove them.’ The Bodhisattva vow. ‘All the joy the world contains Has come through wishing happiness for others. All the misery the world contains Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.’ Śāntideva, The Way of the ‘If a bodhisattva believes in the notion of an ego, a personality, or a living being, he is not a true bodhisattva.’ The Buddha, etc. Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.

Q1.5: ‘Meditation (samadhi) is the most important part of the Eightfold Path.’

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

• Meditation (samadhi) is the central practice of the Buddhist faith. • Right Effort is about freedom from negative emotions and thoughts. • Right Mindfulness is becoming fully aware of oneself and the world. • Right Concentration is developing mental concentration and focus. • Without meditation, it could be argued that wisdom (panna) and morality (sila) cannot be • Nothing is more important in Buddhism than a still and calm mind / samatha meditation is how this still and calm mind can be developed / this helps develop a greater awareness of the Buddha’s teachings and the nature of reality / vipassana which is insight meditation further develops and meditational mind if practiced under the guidance of a Buddhist teacher, etc.

Arguments in support of other views

• Wisdom is about having a full understanding of the Four Noble Truths and having the right outlook and approach to the Eightfold Path / without wisdom, Buddhist arguably cannot meditate properly. • Wisdom is important in overcoming the poisons of greed, hatred and delusion. • Wisdom is essential for achieving enlightenment. • Morality: there is nothing more important in the Buddhist faith than having good morals and behaviour / this impacts on Buddhists meditating. • There is nothing more important than living an ethical life and helping rather than harming all life. • Maybe it is the whole Eightfold Path because it is simply that / the combination of all eight stages means that no one training or discipline is more important than the other / the stages are interdependent and interrelated, etc. NB credit reference to considering the Eightfold Path as individual stages (steps).