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1 (a) Explain the concepts of
anicca and anatta. (30 marks)
(b) Assess the view that
concepts of anicca and anatta
have little effect on the way
Buddhists
live their lives. (15 marks)
2 (a) Examine the meaning of the
first and second Noble Truths.
(30 marks)
(b) ‘Buddhist teaching is more
focused on understanding
suffering than providing a way to
end suffering.’
Assess this view. (15 marks)
3 (a) Explain the teaching on
right livelihood and right speech
in the Eightfold Path.
(30 marks)
(b) ‘Morality is the basis of the
Eightfold Path.’
Assess this view. (15 marks)
4 (a) Examine the nature and
discipline of the monastic
community in Buddhism. (30
marks)
(b) ‘The way of the monk is
superior to the way of the lay
Buddhist.’
Assess this view. (15 marks)
(a) Examine the nature and discipline of the monastic community in
Buddhism.
The nature of the monastic community
• Ordained monks and nuns which leave worldly life to follow the holy life.
Purpose to serve the spiritual needs of lay people but also advance themselves
in Buddhist path and remove the defilements of greed, hatred and delusion.
• In all schools of Buddhism monastic life is acknowledged as being on a generally
higher level of virtue than lay life.
• Bearers and preservers of the Buddhist tradition: teachers, guides and examples
to
the laity.
• The renunciation of normal worldly activities and involvements is practiced to
varying extents.
• Ordained monks and nuns which leave worldly life to follow the holy life.
Purpose to serve the spiritual needs of lay people but also advance themselves
• There are close lay - monastic relationships. Lay disciples (upasikas) depend on
monks for spiritual guidance, monks rely on lay people for material and physical
needs.
• In Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka all or most men become monks for a short or long
period of time.
• The viharas or monastery can be the centre of the village and focus for community
life.
• They do not need to remain a monk or nun for life.
The discipline of the monastic community
• Monks and nuns living in community according to vinaya discpline.
• Celibacy and rules about food, dress and moral discipline.
• The vinaya code of discipline (Pattimokkha) from 150 - 400 rules according to
particular tradition were established to protect and ensure the comfort of the
sangha, ward off ill meaning people who might wish to join it, and helping monks
and nuns destroy greed, hatred and delusion.
• Rules are tools to transform the mind and behaviour.
• The rules are arranged in varying degrees of gravity so breaking any has some
form of punishment the ultimate being permanent dismissal.
10 precepts relate to
• Not harming living beings by digging the ground or destroying plants and trees.
• Not consuming food or drink that has not been formally offered.
• Celibacy.
• Various forms of wrong speech including false accusations.
• Drinking alcohol.
• Eating after noon.
• Unseemly frivolous behaviour.
• Not attending forms of entertainment.
• Using a high and luxurious bed.
• Handling money.
(30 marks) AO1
(b) ‘The way of the monk is superior to the way of the lay Buddhist.’
Assess this view.
In support of this view
Monastic discipline and commitment is demanding and challenging and
demonstrates
the holy life. Established by the Buddha in this way. Requires considerable
self
sacrifice and determination. Leads to higher mental states due to
meditation and pure
moral discipline.
On the other hand
Not all monks follow the same discipline. In some countries monastic life
can be used
as a form of sheltered housing.
Discipline can be lax where it is the state religion.
Lay Buddhists develop high levels of service and generosity. In modern
times, it is
possible for lay Buddhists to practice meditation and attain high levels of
insight.
All able to reach nibbana as depends on variety of complex factors.
(15 marks)
Samsara and the three marks of
existence
0 1 Explain the meaning and
significance of the concept of
samsara for Buddhists.
(30 marks)
AND
0 2 .The Buddhist attitude towards
life is pessimistic..
Assess the truth of this claim. (15
marks)
The Four Noble Truths
0 3 Examine the teachings
about nibbana in Buddhism. (30
marks)
AND
0 4 .’Nibbana is an unattainable
goal for most Buddhists’.
Assess this view. (15 marks)
The Eightfold Path
0 5 Explain the teachings on right
mindfulness and right
concentration in the Eightfold
Path.
(30 marks)
‘
AND
0 6 .’Meditation is the essential
basis of the Buddhist way of life’.
Assess this view. (15 marks)
The Sangha
0 7 Examine the role and
importance of the lay community in
the Buddhist Sangha.
(30 marks)
AND
0 8 .’The lay community is more
important than the monastic
community in Buddhism today’.
Assess this view. (15 marks)
0 1 Explain Buddhist teachings
about death and rebirth
(30 marks)
AND
0 2 Assess the view that Buddhist
teaching on rebirth has little effect on
the way Buddhists live their lives. (15
marks)
0 3 Outline the Buddhist
concept of tanha (craving) and
explain how tanha leads to
suffering
(30 marks)
AND
0 4 ‘Tanha is the only cause of
suffering’. Assess this view. (15
marks)
05
Examine the meaning and
purpose of right understanding and
right thought in the Eightfold Path
(30 marks)
AND
0 6 ‘Without the wisdom or right
understanding and right thought,
following the Eightfold Path is
pointless’. Assess this view. (15
marks)
0 7 Examine the nature of the
Sangha as a refuge for the lay and
monastic community.
(30 marks)
AND
0 8 ‘Today, the way of life of the lay
Buddhist is more important than
the monastic way of life’. How far
do you agree? (15 marks)