1. AQA Religious Studies A Buddhism
Religion, human rights and social justice

2. Buddhist teachings about wealth
You MUST learn two contrasting religious views about USES OF WEALTH.
Buddhist teachings about wealth
Many Buddhists think that its important to earn enough for a simple but dignified life. However, there are no restrictions on how much wealth a Buddhist should have, unless they are a monk or nun. A lot of rich Buddhists worldwide use their money to do good. Giving to charity builds up good kamma and is seen as ‘merit-making’.*
For the Buddha, true happiness didn’t come from having everything he wanted and being poor didn’t bring happiness either. He realised that the important thing was to have enough for one’s needs, and to use every opportunity for generosity - one of the six perfections in the Mahayanan tradition.
Craving/greed is one of the three poisons, which the Buddha saw as the main cause of suffering and the things that stop people from achieving enlightenment. He advised that true happiness doesn’t come from accumulating wealth and being attached to material possessions. Buddhist teaching encourages Buddhists to give away what they do not need.
*Giving should be done only if the donor can be sure that the results will not be negative. The recipient might acquire craving for money and this would cause more suffering. This would result in negative kamma.
Exam question: Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about USES OF WEALTH. You should refer to ‘the main religious tradition of Great Britain (Christianity) and one other religious tradition’ (Buddhism). (4 MARKS)
- Give a belief/teaching, explain how it applies to the issue and how it affects a person’s decision about that issue.
Buddhist Beliefs: Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice

3. You MUST learn two contrasting religious views about FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION.
Religious Freedom
Belief in the equality of all means that all have the right to practise their beliefs. The Buddha often talked to people who had met other religious teachers with different ideas. When these people asked the Buddha which teachings to follow, he encouraged them to listen with respect then follow whichever teachings they think will lead to greater happiness.
Very few Buddhist traditions try to persuade others that they should become Buddhists. The Dalai Lama stated: ‘I always say that every person on this earth has the freedom to practise or not to practise religion’.
Right Speech also means that there needs to be some restraint in how beliefs are expressed. The principle of not harming others covers more than physical harm. One’s own freedom of religious expression should not cause hurt to another or restrict the religious freedom of someone else.
Exam question: Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION. You should refer to ‘the main religious tradition of Great Britain (Christianity) and one other religious tradition’ (Buddhism). (4 MARKS)
- Give a belief/teaching, explain how it applies to the issue and how it affects a person’s decision about that issue.
Buddhist Beliefs: Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice

4. Prejudice and Discrimination
You MUST learn two contrasting religious views about STATUS OF WOMEN IN RELIGION.
Prejudice and Discrimination
Gender: The Buddha taught that women were equally capable of achieving enlightenment. Women were able to become nuns in his lifetime and in Zen Buddhism women can have positions of authority within the monastic sangha (community of monks).
The Buddha’s initial reluctance to admit women into the monastic sangha has led to some Buddhists believing that although they are equal, men and women have different roles. In the Theravadan orders of south east Asia, women can be novices only.
Homosexuality: Buddhist scriptures say very little about homosexuality. In general, Western Buddhists tend to see same-sex relationships as normal. However some Asian Buddhists (including the Dalai Lama) have said it is inappropriate for Buddhists to have same-sex relations. But this is more a reflection of local culture than Buddhist teachings.
As a form of unkindness which causes suffering, racism is not in keeping with the Buddha’s teaching. Most Buddhists are completely against it.
Exam question: Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about STATUS OF WOMEN IN RELIGION. You should refer to ‘the main religious tradition of Great Britain (Christianity) and one other religious tradition’ (Buddhism). (4 MARKS)
- Give a belief/teaching, explain how it applies to the issue and how it affects a person’s decision about that issue.
Buddhist Beliefs: Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice

5. Social Justice
The Buddha taught that suffering is a part of life and that the world cannot be made perfect. Buddhists try to improve their understanding of suffering to help them accept life’s disappointments.
The Buddha taught the importance of kindness, compassion, generosity and unselfishness as a way of bringing communities together. As always, the middle way is best; accepting imperfection while doing whatever you can to make a better world.
Engaged Buddhism: A term used by Buddhists who want to tackle social issues, including injustice and discrimination, through Buddhist teachings. There are Buddhist projects working with the homeless in New York City, teaching mindfulness meditation in prisons, and caring for people with AIDS.
Buddhist Beliefs: Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice

6. Human Rights and Responsibilities
Since Buddhists are committed to reducing suffering, most Buddhists recognise the importance of human rights in society and support the work of charities such as Amnesty International.
Human rights include the right to freedom of speech. The Buddha taught the importance of speaking kindly and that if the listener is offended; that is their responsibility. With training in awareness it is possible to hear difficult things without reacting, so reaction is a choice.
Tibet and human rights: This largely Buddhist region was invaded by the Communist Party of China in 1959; but the people there want to be an independent country. Since then thousands of Tibetans have been killed or imprisoned and many monasteries and temples have been destroyed. There are also limits on their right to practise Buddhism.
Buddhist Beliefs: Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice

7. Exploitation of the poor
Fair pay: Taking workers’ time and energy without paying them a fair wage goes against the second Buddhist precept: to avoid taking what is not freely given. Many Western Buddhists try to avoid buying any products that treat their employees unfairly.
Excessive interest on loans: Some money lenders in the UK charge interest rates around 3000 or 4000 percent. Making money by exploiting the poor also goes against the second moral precept and is a form of deliberate harm, which goes against the first precept.
Buddhist Beliefs: Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice

8. Poverty and giving to the poor
Several lists of Buddhist virtues start with dana, or generosity, because this is viewed as a highly important Buddhist virtue. The Buddha taught that the best way to give is freely and out of desire for the wellbeing of others. However it is important for Buddhists to only give what will genuinely help.
Who is responsible for poverty: the people who are in poverty, or the social systems that have caused their poverty? Buddhism teaches that all poverty deserves profound compassion.
“A donor who gives food gives the recipients five things. What five? One gives life, beauty, happiness, strength and discernment” – The Buddha in the Anguttara Nikaya, vol. 3, p. 42
Buddhist Beliefs: Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice