Buddhist Views
18 Grade 10 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Buddhist Views, with worked marking schemes. 18 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
4 marksOutline four charitable activities a Buddhist youth group in Nairobi could organise to put the Buddha's teaching on compassion (karuna) into practice. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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6 marksExplain how each of the following qualities of the Buddha can guide a student leader in a Kenyan secondary school.
(a) Araham (2 marks)
(b) Vijjacarana-sampanno (2 marks)
(c) Anuttaro purisadamma-sarathi (2 marks)
(6 marks)
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1 markLearners are preparing a poster of the Buddhas of the past and the coming Buddha. Which figure, now dwelling as a Bodhisatta in the Tusita heaven, should they show as the Buddha who will come after Gotama?
A. Metteyya
B. Vipassi
C. Sikhi
D. Dipankara
(1 mark)
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4 marks(a) State the meaning of the qualities 'Buddho' and 'Bhagava' as used in the recollection of the nine qualities of the Buddha. (2 marks)
(b) Explain why reflecting on the nine qualities of the Buddha (Buddhanussati) during chanting strengthens a Buddhist's faith. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
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4 marksDraw a labelled timeline showing, in the correct order, the three Buddhas of the past who came immediately before Gotama Buddha, ending with Gotama Buddha. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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4 marksExplain two reasons why Buddhists understand Paramatma as Dhamma rather than as a personal being. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any two of the following, well explained, 2 marks each (4 marks): - The Buddha taught that ultimate reality is a truth or law to be realised, not a person to be pleased; he said whoever sees the Dhamma sees him (Vakkali Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya 22.87). - Nibbana, the ultimate goal, is described as unborn, unmade and unconditioned (Udana 8.3), so it has no form, limits or personal properties. - The Dhamma works through cause and effect (kamma), so results come from one's own actions, not from a being who rewards or punishes. - The Buddha taught that one is one's own refuge (Dhammapada 160) and that each person must strive, for the Buddhas only point the way (Dhammapada 276), so liberation comes through understanding and practising the Dhamma, not through the favour of a person. - The Dhamma is timeless and exists whether or not a Buddha arises; Buddhas rediscover it rather than create it, so it cannot be a person. (Award 1 mark for stating the reason and 1 mark for explaining it.)
Question 7
4 marksExplain two ways in which learning about the Buddhas of the past and the coming Buddha can uplift the faith of a Buddhist today. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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6 marks(a) State two terms used in Buddhist scriptures to describe Nibbana, the ultimate reality. (2 marks)
(b) Explain how understanding the ultimate reality as formless, limitless and without properties can promote harmony among people of different faiths in Kenya. (4 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any two of the following, 1 mark each (2 marks): - Unborn (ajata). - Unbecome / not brought into being (abhuta). - Unmade / not created (akata). - Unconditioned (asankhata). - Deathless (amata). - The highest happiness / supreme bliss (Dhammapada 204). - Peace (santi) / the ending of craving. (Accept the English terms without the Pali.) (b) Any two of the following, well explained, 2 marks each (4 marks): - Other faiths, such as the Hindu teaching of Nirguna Brahman and the Sikh teaching of Nirankar (the Formless One), also describe the Supreme Reality as formless and limitless, so believers find common ground instead of conflict. - Since no group can claim to own or picture the formless reality, followers are humbled and become more tolerant of other people's ways of worship. - Shared values that flow from this understanding, such as compassion, truth and non-violence, can be used in joint interfaith projects, for example community clean-ups or peace forums. - It reduces quarrels over images, names and rituals because the focus moves to living rightly rather than defending forms of worship. - It encourages respectful dialogue in multi-faith schools and estates, supporting the national value of unity.
Question 9
1 markA young Buddhist in Nakuru wants to start a business that follows Right Livelihood from the Noble Eightfold Path. Which of the following businesses should she avoid?
A. Selling school uniforms to parents
B. Running a printing and photocopy shop
C. Selling alcoholic drinks to customers
D. Growing and selling vegetables at market
(1 mark)
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1 markA Buddhist teacher in Mombasa explains to her class that the Buddha discovered the Four Noble Truths through his own effort, without being taught by any other teacher. Which of the nine qualities of the Buddha is she explaining?
A. Sugato
B. Vijjacarana-sampanno
C. Sammasambuddho
D. Lokavidu
(1 mark)
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1 markAccording to the Buddhavamsa, many ages ago the ascetic Sumedha received a prediction that he would one day become Gotama Buddha. Which Buddha of the past made this prediction?
A. Vipassi
B. Padumuttara
C. Vessabhu
D. Dipankara
(1 mark)
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1 markA monk at a Buddhist temple in Nairobi explains to Grade 10 visitors how Buddhists understand Paramatma. Which statement best expresses the Buddhist understanding of Paramatma as Dhamma?
A. The timeless law and truth governing all existence
B. A set of temple rules drawn up by senior monks
C. The physical body of the historical Buddha Gotama
D. A personal creator god who rewards those who pray to him
(1 mark)
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5 marks(a) State three events in the life of the Buddha that Buddhists commemorate during the Vesak festival. (3 marks)
(b) Explain one way in which organising Vesak celebrations in a Kenyan town can create awareness of Buddhist principles in society. (2 marks)
(5 marks)
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1 markDuring a study session, a Buddhist teacher warns learners not to accept the teaching simply because a monk or a book says so, but to practise it and test its results for themselves. Which quality of the Dhamma is the teacher illustrating?
A. Svakkhato - well proclaimed by the Buddha
B. Opanayiko - leading the follower onward to Nibbana
C. Akaliko - timeless, giving results in every age
D. Ehipassiko - inviting one to come and see
(1 mark)
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4 marksAnalyse how the Buddha's quality of Sattha devamanussanam (teacher of gods and humans) influences the practice of Buddhism in modern society. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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5 marks(a) Describe how mindful breathing (anapanasati) is practised during morning meditation in a vihara. (3 marks)
(b) State two benefits of this practice for a Grade 10 learner. (2 marks)
(5 marks)
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6 marksDiscuss three ways in which the teachings of the Buddha can be used to enhance social harmony in a Kenyan community. (6 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Any three of the following, well discussed, 2 marks each (6 marks): - The Five Precepts (no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no false speech, no intoxicants) reduce crime, violence and family conflict. - Loving-kindness (metta) encourages goodwill towards all people regardless of tribe, religion or class, reducing ethnic tension. - Compassion (karuna) moves people to help the poor, the sick and victims of disasters, building caring neighbourhoods. - Right Speech discourages lies, gossip, hate speech and harsh words, especially on social media, preventing quarrels. - The Middle Way teaches moderation, discouraging extreme views and greed that cause conflict over resources. - Non-violence (ahimsa) and patience promote peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue rather than revenge. - Generosity (dana) encourages sharing, reducing the gap between rich and poor. - Mindfulness helps people control anger and react calmly in tense situations.
Question 18
4 marksExplain two ways in which the Buddha's teachings on wealth can guide a young entrepreneur in Kenya. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any two of the following, well explained, 2 marks each (4 marks): - Earn wealth through hard work and persistent effort (utthana sampada, Dighajanu Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya 8.54), not through laziness or shortcuts. - Earn wealth honestly through Right Livelihood, avoiding trade that harms others such as weapons, poisons, intoxicants or trafficking in living beings. - Protect wealth wisely (arakkha sampada), for example by keeping records and guarding against theft and waste. - Divide income sensibly: the Sigalovada Sutta (Digha Nikaya 31) advises one part for living expenses, two parts for investing in the business and one part saved for hard times. - Avoid the ways of wasting wealth such as drinking, gambling, idle company and laziness (Sigalovada Sutta). - Keep good company (kalyanamittata), choosing honest partners and advisers. - Live within one's means (samajivikata), spending neither too much nor too little. - Share wealth through generosity (dana), which builds goodwill and loyal customers.
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