Buddhism: Matters of Life and Death | Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B (1RB0)
Buddhism: Matters of Life and Death
- 94 questions
- 8 subtopics
- Buddhism, one religion of seven
- Paper 1
Buddhism: Matters of Life and Death is examined in Paper 1, Area of Study 1: Religion and Ethics, if Buddhism is the religion studied for that area.
It covers Buddhist teaching on the origins and value of the universe, the sanctity of life in Buddhism, Buddhist responses to evolution and survival of the fittest, Buddhist attitudes to abortion, Buddhist teaching on death, rebirth and the afterlife, Buddhist responses to arguments against life after death, Buddhist attitudes to euthanasia and hospice care and Buddhist responses to the environment and animal rights.
Sample questions from Buddhism: Matters of Life and Death
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Buddhist teaching on the origins and value of the universe
What does the Dalai Lama say Buddhists should do if science disproves a traditional belief?
Show the answer
The Dalai Lama says Buddhists should accept clear scientific findings and abandon the old belief. Ancient Buddhist maps of the world around Mount Meru can therefore be set aside. -
The sanctity of life in Buddhism
Why is human life especially precious in Buddhism?
Show the answer
A human birth is rare and is the best state from which to reach enlightenment. Gods are too content and animals too confused to practise the Dhamma easily. -
Buddhist responses to evolution and survival of the fittest
Describe the parable of the poisoned arrow.
Show the answer
A man shot with a poisoned arrow refuses treatment until he knows who shot him and what bow was used. The man would die before he learned the answers. -
Buddhist attitudes to abortion
When did the Dalai Lama suggest abortion might be an exception?
Show the answer
The Dalai Lama allowed exceptions if the child would be severely disabled or the birth would seriously harm the parents. -
Buddhist teaching on death, rebirth and the afterlife
What does the Sahasodgata Avadana in the Divyavadana tell about the Wheel of Life?
Show the answer
The Sahasodgata Avadana tells how the Buddha ordered a wheel of rebirth to be painted at a monastery gateway. A monk was to stand by it and explain the realms to visitors. -
Buddhist responses to arguments against life after death
How do Buddhists respond to fraudulent accounts of contact with the dead?
Show the answer
Buddhists agree that fraud happens and reject it firmly. The monastic rules expel a monk who falsely claims superhuman powers. -
Buddhist attitudes to euthanasia and hospice care
How do Buddhists interpret the Vakkali Sutta in the debate on euthanasia?
Show the answer
Some Buddhists see the sutta as showing that ending life to escape unbearable pain is not always condemned. Most Buddhists stress that Vakkali was already enlightened, so his case is no model for others. -
Buddhist responses to the environment and animal rights
How do Buddhists respond to the use of natural resources?
Show the answer
Right livelihood and moderation mean taking only what is needed. Buddhists see waste of resources as unskilful and harmful to future generations.
The 8 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Buddhist teaching on the origins and value of the universe | Why origins matter little, traditional teaching on the beginning, the Dalai Lama's The Universe in a Single Atom on the Big Bang and on science disproving belief, nature in the Buddha's life, and Buddhist economics. | 12 |
| The sanctity of life in Buddhism | The First Precept in the Khuddakapatha, why human birth is precious and the blind turtle, killing as a grave monastic offence, life release, rebirth, everyday practice, and contrasts with Christian sanctity of life. | 11 |
| Buddhist responses to evolution and survival of the fittest | Why evolution fits Buddhist teaching, doubts about survival of the fittest, the Cula-Malunkyovada Sutta and the poisoned arrow read two ways, the Dalai Lama on material explanations, and Humanist views of purpose. | 12 |
| Buddhist attitudes to abortion | Intention, the Dalai Lama's 1993 New York Times interview and the exception he allowed, mizuko kuyo, Japanese and Western attitudes, Humanist and situation ethics views, and support for a mother afterwards. | 11 |
| Buddhist teaching on death, rebirth and the afterlife | Rebirth rather than reincarnation, the flame image, the Wheel of Life and the Divyavadana on why it was first painted, remembered lives and finding a tulku, paranormal claims, logic, reward and reunion. | 13 |
| Buddhist responses to arguments against life after death | Evidence, comfort, fraud and social control objections with Buddhist replies, the Brahmajala Sutta on death as the end, the middle way between eternalism and annihilationism, materialism, and whether all Buddhists take rebirth literally. | 11 |
| Buddhist attitudes to euthanasia and hospice care | Why euthanasia may not end suffering, the Vakkali Sutta, whether life must be prolonged at all costs, Humanist and situation ethics arguments, hospice care and the Buddhist Hospice Trust, and preparing for death. | 11 |
| Buddhist responses to the environment and animal rights | Dhammapada 270, pollution, global warming and the 2015 climate statement, natural resources, the Buddhist Declaration on Nature, monks and meat-eating, the Tibetan diet, animal rights, and utilitarian cases for experiments. | 13 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 5,266 questions with their answers.