Buddhist Practices

33 Grade 7 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Buddhist Practices, with worked marking schemes. 33 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   The Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment, setting out his core teaching. At which place is this first sermon traditionally said to have been given?

   A. Lumbini

   B. Sarnath

   C. Bodh Gaya

   D. Kurukshetra

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   The Buddha's teachings and sayings are preserved in Buddhist scriptures. Which of the following is a well-known collection of the Buddha's sayings?

   A. The Guru Granth Sahib

   B. The Bhagavad Gita

   C. The Dhammapada

   D. The Ramayana

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   The Buddha taught his followers to avoid the extremes of harsh self-denial and excessive luxury, and instead follow a balanced way of life. What did he call this teaching?

   A. The Four Sights

   B. The Middle Way

   C. The Eightfold error

   D. The Noble sacrifice

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   4 marks

   Buddhists in Kenya observe the festival of Vesak.

   (a) State the three events in the Buddha's life remembered at Vesak. (3 marks)

   (b) Name the state of final liberation that is the goal of Buddhist practice. (1 mark)

   (4 marks)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   A Buddhist explains that the aim of keeping the precepts and following the path is to escape a repeating cycle. What is the cycle of birth, death and rebirth called?

   A. Sadhana

   B. Sanskaar

   C. Sangha

   D. Samsara

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   A Grade 7 learner observes Buddhist worshippers walking slowly and respectfully around a dome-shaped monument that contains sacred relics, as an act of devotion. This act of walking reverently around a sacred object is called:

   A. Langar

   B. Circumambulation (pradakshina)

   C. Sewa

   D. Havan

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   The community of Buddhist monks and nuns who devote their lives to following the Buddha's teaching is given a particular name. What is this community called?

   A. The Dharma

   B. The Puja

   C. The Sangha

   D. The Granth

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   The first of the Five Precepts guides Buddhists in how they treat living beings. What does this first precept teach?

   A. To refrain from all speech

   B. To give away all property

   C. To refrain from harming or killing living beings

   D. To worship many gods

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   4 marks

   The Buddha taught the Noble Eightfold Path as the way to end suffering.

   (a) State what the Noble Eightfold Path is. (2 marks)

   (b) Give any two of the 'right' practices that make up the path. (2 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) The Noble Eightfold Path is the way / set of eight right practices taught by the Buddha that leads to the end of suffering and to Nirvana. (2 marks) (b) Any two, 1 mark each: Right View/Understanding; Right Intention/Thought; Right Speech; Right Action; Right Livelihood; Right Effort; Right Mindfulness; Right Concentration/Meditation. (2 marks)

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Learners are told that lay Buddhists undertake to keep five basic moral training rules. What are these rules called?

    A. The Five Precepts (Pancasila)

    B. The Five Vows

    C. The Five Pillars

    D. The Five Ks

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    Buddhists say the ultimate goal of their practice is to be freed from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth and from all suffering. What is this state of liberation called?

    A. Dharma

    B. Karma

    C. Nirvana

    D. Moksha

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    When learners ask how a Buddhist can live rightly, a monk explains the practical guide the Buddha gave for ending suffering, which includes right speech, right action and right mindfulness. What is this guide called?

    A. The Noble Eightfold Path

    B. The Five Pillars

    C. The Four Vedas

    D. The Ten Sikhs

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    During Vesak, Buddhists in Kenya gather to remember three great events in the Buddha's life on one day. Which three events are commemorated at Vesak?

    A. Birth, marriage and coronation

    B. Naming, first sermon and old age

    C. Renunciation, wedding and burial

    D. Birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana)

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    A Buddhist learner describes how she sits quietly each morning, calming her mind and focusing her attention on her breathing to develop awareness and inner peace, just as the Buddha taught. This Buddhist practice is known as:

    A. Aarti

    B. Havan

    C. Meditation (bhavana)

    D. Langar

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    5 marks

    A Buddhist takes refuge in the Three Jewels (Triratna).

    (a) Name the Three Jewels. (3 marks)

    (b) Explain what the Sangha is. (2 marks)

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma (the teaching), and the Sangha. (3 marks) (b) The Sangha is the community of Buddhist monks and nuns (and, more widely, followers) who devote their lives to following and preserving the Buddha's teaching. (2 marks)

16. Question 16

    6 marks

    A Grade 7 Buddhist learner explains to the class that the Buddha taught a practical way to end suffering. She draws a path on the board with eight parts.

    (a) Name the teaching of the Buddha that consists of eight parts and leads to the end of suffering. (2 marks)

    (b) State any FOUR of the eight parts of this path. (4 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The teaching is the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya Atthangika Magga), which is the fourth of the Four Noble Truths and the path leading to the cessation of suffering (Nirvana). (2 marks) (b) Any FOUR of the following (1 mark each): Right Understanding (Right View); Right Thought (Right Intention); Right Speech; Right Action; Right Livelihood; Right Effort; Right Mindfulness; Right Concentration (Right Meditation). (4 marks)

17. Question 17

    1 mark

    A Grade 7 class discusses moral values learners can borrow from Buddhist practices. Which value is a direct teaching of Buddhist practice?

    A. Ignoring the suffering of others

    B. Non-violence and kindness to all beings

    C. Revenge against enemies

    D. Love of wealth above all

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    A monk explains that a Buddhist takes refuge in three things that guide the follower, known as the Three Jewels (Triratna). Which set correctly lists them?

    A. Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

    B. Past, present and future

    C. Body, mind and soul

    D. Truth, wealth and power

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    1 mark

    Before reciting, Buddhist learners 'take refuge' in three things that guide their faith and practice. These Three Jewels (Triratna) are the Buddha, the Dharma, and which third refuge?

    A. The Sangha

    B. The Stupa

    C. The Mantra

    D. The Bodhi

    (1 mark)

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20. Question 20

    1 mark

    During a school visit to a Buddhist vihara, learners see followers reciting a set of truths that summarise the Buddha's teaching on suffering. What are these truths called?

    A. The Four Noble Truths

    B. The Ten Commandments

    C. The Four Vedas

    D. The Four Sights

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    1 mark

    A monk explains the practical guide the Buddha taught for ending suffering, made up of eight interconnected steps such as right view, right speech, and right action. What is this path called?

    A. The Middle Way of Eight Branches

    B. The Noble Eightfold Path

    C. The Eight Precepts

    D. The Eight Refuges

    (1 mark)

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22. Question 22

    1 mark

    A Grade 7 learner notes that Buddhists do not offer animal sacrifices. Which teaching best explains this?

    A. The desire to save money

    B. The rule to always fast

    C. The precept of non-harming (non-violence) to living beings

    D. A ban on all worship

    (1 mark)

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23. Question 23

    6 marks

    On the full-moon day of Vesak, Meena visits a Buddhist temple with her neighbours. She watches devotees light lamps, offer flowers at the shrine, and quietly repeat words promising to follow good conduct. The monk explains these are part of taking refuge and observing the precepts.

    (a) State the Three Jewels (Three Refuges) that a Buddhist takes refuge in. (3 marks)

    (b) The flowers offered at the shrine are quickly fading. Explain what important Buddhist teaching the fading flowers remind devotees about. (2 marks)

    (c) Give ONE reason why Vesak is an important day for Buddhists. (1 mark)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The Three Jewels / Three Refuges are: (i) the Buddha (the Enlightened teacher), (ii) the Dhamma (the Buddha's teachings), and (iii) the Sangha (the community of monks/followers). (3 marks) (b) The fading flowers remind devotees of impermanence (anicca/anitya) — the teaching that all things in life, including beauty, youth and life itself, are temporary and constantly changing, so one should not cling to them. (2 marks) (c) Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away (parinirvana) of the Buddha. (Any one of these is acceptable.) (1 mark)

24. Question 24

    4 marks

    The Buddha taught his followers to avoid two extremes in life.

    (a) Name the balanced way of life the Buddha taught. (1 mark)

    (b) State the two extremes the Buddha warned against. (2 marks)

    (c) State one moral value a learner can borrow from Buddhist practice. (1 mark)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The Middle Way. (1 mark) (b) Extreme self-indulgence / luxury / craving for pleasure, and extreme self-denial / harsh self-torture (severe asceticism). (2 marks) (c) Any one: non-violence/kindness; honesty/truthfulness; self-control; compassion; contentment/simple living. (1 mark)

25. Question 25

    1 mark

    According to the Buddha's teaching, what is the root cause of suffering (dukkha) that must be overcome?

    A. Lack of wealth

    B. Craving and attachment (tanha)

    C. Living in a family

    D. Old age

    (1 mark)

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26. Question 26

    3 marks

    During a visit to a Buddhist vihara, your class learns about the core teaching of the Buddha on suffering.

    (a) Name the set of truths that summarise the Buddha's teaching on suffering. (1 mark)

    (b) State the first of these truths. (1 mark)

    (c) According to the Buddha, what is the main cause of suffering? (1 mark)

    (3 marks)

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27. Question 27

    1 mark

    A Buddhist monk explains the path that leads to the end of suffering, made up of eight right practices. What is this path called?

    A. The Middle Way

    B. The Five Precepts

    C. The Noble Eightfold Path

    D. The Path of Bhakti

    (1 mark)

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28. Question 28

    6 marks

    Meditation is an important Buddhist practice.

    (a) Explain what meditation involves. (2 marks)

    (b) State two benefits a person can gain from practising meditation. (4 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Meditation (bhavana) involves sitting quietly and calmly focusing/training the mind, e.g. on the breath, to develop calmness and insight. (2 marks) (b) Any two, 2 marks each: it calms the mind and reduces stress/anger; it develops concentration and self-control; it brings inner peace and clarity; it develops mindfulness and wisdom; it helps overcome craving. (4 marks)

29. Question 29

    1 mark

    A Grade 7 learner asks which practice Buddhists use to calm the mind and gain insight by sitting quietly and focusing the mind. Which practice is this?

    A. Fasting

    B. Pilgrimage

    C. Meditation (Bhavana)

    D. Animal sacrifice

    (1 mark)

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30. Question 30

    1 mark

    In a Buddhist studies lesson, learners are taught the four central truths the Buddha proclaimed in his first sermon: that suffering exists, has a cause, can end, and has a path leading to its end. What is this teaching called?

    A. The Five Precepts

    B. The Four Noble Truths

    C. The Three Jewels

    D. The Eightfold Path

    (1 mark)

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31. Question 31

    6 marks

    Explain three ways in which Buddhist practices promote peace and good moral conduct in society. (6 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any three, 2 marks each (point + explanation): the precept of non-violence discourages killing/harming, promoting peace; refraining from stealing promotes honesty and respect for others' property; refraining from lying encourages truthful speech and trust; meditation develops calmness and self-control, reducing anger and conflict; compassion (karuna) encourages care for others and the needy; refraining from intoxicants keeps the mind clear and behaviour responsible. (6 marks)

32. Question 32

    1 mark

    A learner sees a Buddhist offering flowers, light and incense before an image of the Buddha. What is this act of respectful offering best described as?

    A. A form of sacrifice to gain wealth

    B. An act of devotion and respect (puja) to the Buddha

    C. A wedding ceremony

    D. A punishment for wrongdoing

    (1 mark)

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33. Question 33

    5 marks

    Lay Buddhists undertake to keep the Five Precepts.

    (a) State what the Five Precepts are. (2 marks)

    (b) State any three of the Five Precepts. (3 marks)

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The Five Precepts (Pancasila) are five basic moral training rules / vows that lay Buddhists undertake to live by. (2 marks) (b) Any three, 1 mark each: refrain from harming/killing living beings; refrain from taking what is not given (stealing); refrain from sexual/sensual misconduct; refrain from false speech (lying); refrain from taking intoxicants (alcohol/drugs) that cloud the mind. (3 marks)

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