Buddhist Sanskaars

23 Grade 8 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Buddhist Sanskaars, with worked marking schemes. 23 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   2 marks

   A Buddhist family welcomes a newborn baby and invites monks to the home to chant blessings and perform a naming ritual. (a) State the purpose of a Buddhist naming/blessing ceremony for a new baby. (2 marks)

   (2 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any acceptable point: to welcome the child into the family and Buddhist community; to invoke blessings, protection and good fortune for the child through the chanting of the monks (paritta/blessings); to formally give the child a name; to express gratitude and start the child's life on a path of dharma. (2 marks)

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   During a Buddhist sanskaar, offerings such as flowers, incense and light (candles) placed before an image of the Buddha are meant to:

   A. Pay temple taxes

   B. Chase away visitors

   C. Feed the Buddha

   D. Express respect and devotion and remind followers of impermanence

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   4 marks

   Explain the significance of the funeral (cremation) sanskaar in Buddhist tradition.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any four: it follows the Buddha's own example of cremation; monks chant suttas to guide the deceased and comfort the family; it reminds mourners of the impermanence of life (anicca); merit is transferred to the deceased through offerings/alms; it expresses respect for the dead and hope for a good rebirth. Up to 4 marks.

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   In the Buddhist funeral sanskaar, the most common method of dealing with the body, following the Buddha's own example, is:

   A. Sky burial only

   B. Cremation

   C. Burial at sea

   D. Mummification

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   3 marks

   State three values that Buddhist sanskaars instil in believers and that are useful to Kenyan learners.

   (3 marks)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   A Buddhist family invites monks and offers them food and robes during a sanskaar. This act of giving is known as:

   A. Samsara

   B. Dana (generosity/almsgiving)

   C. Karma

   D. Ahimsa

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   In Buddhist tradition, sanskaars refer to:

   A. Sacraments / life-cycle rites of passage that mark important stages of life

   B. Buddhist temples

   C. Sacred food offerings only

   D. Names of Buddhist monks

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   The Buddhist ceremony in which a newborn baby is welcomed, blessed and often named is a:

   A. Marriage sanskaar

   B. Ordination

   C. Naming/birth sanskaar

   D. Funeral rite

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   During most Buddhist sanskaars, monks are commonly invited to:

   A. Conduct political meetings

   B. Chant sacred verses (suttas) and give blessings

   C. Sell religious items

   D. Perform animal sacrifices

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    The Buddhist rite in which a person formally becomes a follower by taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha is:

    A. Yajna

    B. Aarti

    C. Taking the Three Refuges (Tisarana)

    D. Paryushana

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    3 marks

    Explain three roles played by the Sangha (community of monks) during Buddhist sanskaars.

    (3 marks)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    At a Buddhist ceremony marking entry into monastic life, a young person shaves his head, puts on robes, and is admitted into the Sangha as a novice. Which Buddhist sanskaar (life ceremony) is taking place?

    A. The naming ceremony

    B. The ordination (Pabbajja) ceremony

    C. The marriage ceremony

    D. The harvest ceremony

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    When a young Buddhist boy temporarily enters the monastery as a novice monk, the sanskaar performed is best described as:

    A. Ordination / novice initiation (Pabbajja)

    B. Cremation

    C. Wedding

    D. Naming ceremony

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    The five moral precepts that a lay Buddhist commonly undertakes during initiation include refraining from killing, stealing, false speech, intoxicants and:

    A. Chanting

    B. Sexual misconduct

    C. Giving alms

    D. Meditation

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    4 marks

    A young Buddhist man decides to spend a period of his life living in a monastery, shaving his head, wearing simple robes and following the discipline of the monks.

    (a) Name the Buddhist ceremony/Sanskaar through which a person becomes a monk. (2 marks)

    (b) Give TWO changes the person is expected to make in his life after this ceremony. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The ordination ceremony (Pabbajja for novice ordination / Upasampada for full ordination as a Bhikkhu). (2 marks) (Accept: ordination / becoming a Bhikkhu.) (b) Any TWO: he gives up worldly/family possessions and lives simply; he wears the robes and shaves his head; he observes the monastic precepts/rules (Vinaya) such as celibacy and non-violence; he devotes his life to meditation, study of the Dhamma and service. (1 mark each = 2 marks)

16. Question 16

    4 marks

    State any four sanskaars (rites of passage) observed in Buddhist tradition.

    (4 marks)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    A key value emphasised throughout Buddhist sanskaars, reflecting the Buddha's teaching, is:

    A. Revenge

    B. Compassion and mindfulness

    C. Violence

    D. Greed for wealth

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    The transferring of merit to a deceased relative during a Buddhist funeral sanskaar is intended to:

    A. Cancel the funeral

    B. Help the departed toward a good rebirth

    C. Bring the person back to life

    D. Punish the deceased

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    5 marks

    During a novice ordination, a young Buddhist boy shaves his head, wears robes and enters the monastery.

    (a) Name this sanskaar.

    (b) Give three things the novice learns or does in the monastery.

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Novice ordination / Pabbajja (going forth) - 2 marks. (b) Any three: studies the Dhamma/teachings; practises meditation; observes the precepts/monastic rules; recites suttas; performs service and disciplined living; begs for alms (1 mark each, max 3). Total 5.

20. Question 20

    5 marks

    (a) Name the Three Refuges (Tisarana) taken by a new Buddhist.

    (b) Explain why taking refuge is an important sanskaar.

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Refuge in the Buddha; refuge in the Dhamma (teachings); refuge in the Sangha (community of monks) - 1 mark each = 3 marks. (b) It marks one's formal commitment to the Buddhist path, gives guidance/protection, and identifies the person as part of the Buddhist community - 2 marks. Total 5.

21. Question 21

    1 mark

    In some Buddhist communities a young boy temporarily enters a monastery, has his head shaved and wears robes to live as a novice monk and learn the Dhamma. This ceremony marking entry into monastic life is known as:

    A. Ordination (Pabbajja)

    B. Namakarana

    C. Vivah

    D. Aarti

    (1 mark)

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22. Question 22

    4 marks

    Describe how a Buddhist naming/birth sanskaar is conducted.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any four points: parents take the baby to a temple or invite monks home; monks chant protective/blessing suttas; offerings such as flowers, incense and candles are made before the Buddha image; the child is given a name; blessings are offered for the child's health and long life; the family may give alms/food to the monks. Up to 4 marks.

23. Question 23

    1 mark

    A Buddhist couple in Nairobi holds a ceremony where they take vows before monks and receive blessings. This life-cycle sanskaar is the:

    A. Funeral sanskaar

    B. Ordination

    C. Naming sanskaar

    D. Marriage/wedding sanskaar

    (1 mark)

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