1. Buddhist Beliefs: Sample Questions
4 marks: 2 ways explained
Explain two ways in which learning about the four sights influences Buddhists today.
Explain two ways in which belief in the Buddha’s enlightenment influences Buddhists today.
Explain two ways in which learning about the life of the Buddha influences Buddhists today.
Explain two ways in which the Buddha’s ascetic life influenced his later teaching.
5 marks: 2 ways explained + linked teaching
Explain two Buddhist teachings about the causes of suffering.
Explain two Buddhist beliefs about the third noble truth.
Explain two Buddhist teachings about nibbana/nirvana.
12 marks: evaluate essay including religious view
‘Right action is the most important aspect of the Eightfold Path for Buddhists.’
‘For Buddhists, ‘impermanence (anicca) is the most important of the Three Marks of Existence.’
‘It is better to be a Bodhisattva than an Arhat (a perfected person).’

2. 4 marks: 2 ways explained
Explain two ways in which learning about the four sights influences Buddhists today.
It reminds them of impermanence (anicca) e.g. the old man reminds us that we will not always stay young and we need to accept this
Thinking about the holy man might influence Buddhists to seek truth themselves as the Buddha did e.g. by following the Eightfold Path
They understand that all life involves suffering – the first noble truth – and that this can be caused by change
Explain two ways in which belief in the Buddha’s enlightenment influences Buddhists today.
It encourages to reach the goal of Buddhist faith – focus on overcoming the three poisons
It may influence them to become a Buddhist monk – give up their possessions and devote themselves to the Buddhist path
Mahayana – it encourages them to reach enlightenment for the good of all – act out of compassion to help others to reach enlightenment
They change how they live – the middle way between extreme hardship and luxury – follow the Eightfold Path

3. 4 marks: 2 ways explained
Explain two ways in which learning about the life of the Buddha influences Buddhists today. (4)
the Buddha is the blueprint for enlightenment – Buddhist monks follow his example to reach enlightenment themselves, eg leave their families, follow the middle way
the Buddha proved humans could be enlightened – this gives Buddhists confidence that they can be enlightened; gives them a reason to follow the path
the Buddha’s experiences help people to make sense out of experiences today: the Four Sights show that old age sickness and death are part of life and Buddhists should always be mindful of them
the Buddha’s life showed that wealth cannot bring happiness – Buddhists look for fulfilment and happiness in mental attitude rather than possessions.
Explain two ways in which the Buddha’s ascetic life influenced his later teaching. (4)
the Buddha taught the Eightfold Path/this was the middle way between a life of asceticism and self-indulgence, it avoided extremes
the Buddha realised that extreme fasting was pointless/the way to enlightenment lay in meditation/in searching deep within his own mind
the Buddha told his disciples that he had taken his fasting further than any other ascetics/it did not lead to higher wisdom/but to physical and mental weakness, etc.

4. 5 marks: 2 ways explained + linked teaching
Explain two Buddhist teachings about nibbana/nirvana. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching in your answer. (5)
the goal of Buddhist faith: This is the end of all cravings, of greed, hate and ignorance, and the end of rebirth. Buddha’s first sermon
can be reached in this life or after death: Buddha reached Nirvana at enlightenment but then lived for 45 years teaching others how to find the way
Nirvana is peace of mind – those who have reached it experience life as all others do but do not respond to it in the same way.
cannot be described: All the words people could use come from their experience of this life, but Nirvana is not part of this material world. Questions of King Milinda.
Explain two Buddhist teachings about the causes of suffering.
suffering is caused by craving/the second of the Four Noble Truths/ as a result we become attached to things/this causes more suffering
we want everything to stay the same/we do not realise that everything is subject to change/the three marks of existence/ everything is impermanent
the Buddha taught that the Three Poisons cause suffering/these are greed, hatred and delusion/for example centring life round making money, etc.

5. 5 marks: 2 ways explained + linked teaching
Explain two Buddhist teachings about the causes of suffering.
Craving (tanha) is one of the main causes – when people crave things they suffer because they cannot always get what they want – Buddha’s first sermon
Anicca leads to suffering – things change (die / move away / break etc.) and cause us to suffer because we are attached to them – Buddha’s first sermon
The causes of suffering can be overcome – you need to overcome craving by following the Eightfold Path – Buddha’s first sermon
The three poisons of hatred, greed and ignorance lead to suffering – need to accept that we have no self and are part of an interconnected web – this will help us to develop compassion for others and not be greedy – Tibetan Wheel of Life
Explain two Buddhist beliefs about the third noble truth.
There is an end to suffering – this can be achieved through your own actions and efforts – reach enlightenment – Buddha’s first sermon
They way to end suffering is to end craving – this doesn’t mean avoiding things we crave – we must take pleasure in things but recognise that this can’t last – so we need to overcome ignorance and craving
The way to stop craving is to have an inner satisfaction and appreciate what we already have

6. ‘For Buddhists, ‘impermanence (anicca) is the most important of the Three Marks of Existence.’
Arguments in support
impermanence is a fundamental principle of the Buddhist faith/it is the principle of life that everything changes/humans have no control over birth, growth and decay and so need to come to terms with this
impermanence causes suffering and the Buddhist faith addresses this, impermanence operates on all levels of life and even in inanimate things
an understanding of impermanence motivates Buddhists to do something to improve the quality of life – to achieve enlightenment, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
Dukkha is a more important mark of existence – unless people understand that life is unsatisfactory, they are not likely to search for a solution
everyone suffers and it is a basic feature of life-the entire doctrine of the Buddhist faith rests on principles which will eliminate suffering
Dukkha it is the issue which began the Buddha’s quest for enlightenment (the four sights)
human nature involves attachment and craving – this is basic to all humans and leads directly to suffering
no fixed self (anatta) is arguably the most important because the illusion of self as the main barrier to enlightenment
all three are equally important because they are parts of a whole view of the meaning of life and without any one of these, the underlying principles which Buddhism addresses are incomplete etc.

7. ‘It is better to be a Bodhisattva than an Arhat (a perfected person).’
Arguments in support
a Bodhisattva is the highest goal of the Mahayana Buddhist faith
great Bodhisattvas are supernatural figures that Buddhists can pray to for help and guidance-they symbolise skilful spiritual qualities and become the focus for worship
they are ‘enlightenment beings’ so it is much greater to help others achieve enlightenment rather than just achieve it on one’s own-they always put others’ interests first
Mahayana Buddhists regard the Bodhisattva ideal as superior to the Arhat one as it is totally selfless and based on compassion for all beings rather than personal liberation and nibbana-the Arhat ideal is considered to be selfish by some Buddhists
they embody both wisdom (panna) and compassion (karuna)
they have to perfect the six perfections and there is no higher ideal in Buddhist morality
Arguments in support of other views
the Arhat is the goal of the Theravada tradition-it is an older, therefore better tradition than the Bodhisattva
The Arhat is a person who has completed the Noble Eightfold Path/it is someone who has overcome the Three Poisons; greed, hatred and delusion or ignorance
the title arhat means’ one worthy of respect’- it is a difficult and singular path to become an Arhat
an Arhat leads a blameless life and can generate lots of good kamma-he can perform meritorious deeds which bring good fortune to others
the Arhat was what the Buddha intended his followers to become
the Arhat ideal is considered to be equal to the Bodhisattva idea in Theravada Buddhist traditions as compassion for all beings is essential to Arhats and Bodhisattvas.

8. ‘Right action is the most important aspect of the Eightfold Path for Buddhists.’ (12 marks)
Agree
Disagree
It is the First Precept – do not harm others
It means Buddhists can gain merit for a good rebirth
It means behaving compassionately – meta – a key Buddhist teaching
Right action means following other aspects of the path e.g. speech, livelihood and effort
Buddhists cannot understand the Buddha’s teachings and achieve enlightenment without Right understanding and Right intention
Buddhists need to learn how to meditate which will help them to act in the right way and to develop wisdom
The ‘wheel’ shows that each part of the path reinforced the others – they are interdependent so no one step is most important