AQA · GCSE · Religious Studies
Course version: 8062 · Version from Sept 2018
Buddhism - 3.1.1.2 Practices: Buddhist ethics
Buddhist ethics are fundamentally guided by the intention (cetana) behind actions, which generates kamma and influences rebirth.
Checked against the AQA 8062 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 12 of 29
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Buddhist ethics are fundamentally guided by the intention (cetana) behind actions, which generates kamma and influences rebirth. The foundation of ethical practice is the Five Moral Precepts (pancasila): abstaining from taking life, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants. These are not strict commandments but voluntary training rules designed to cultivate compassion (karuna) and loving-kindness (metta). Mahayana Buddhists also follow the Six Perfections (paramitas), including morality and patience, to develop the character of a Bodhisattva. Ethical decision-making involves applying these principles to reduce suffering (dukkha) for oneself and all sentient beings.
What earns the marks
- The Five Moral Precepts form the baseline of Buddhist ethical training, focusing on abstaining from harm.
- Kamma is generated by the intention behind an action, making mental discipline crucial to ethical behaviour.
- The Six Perfections (paramitas) guide Mahayana Buddhists in cultivating virtues like generosity and morality.
- Ethical actions are driven by the desire to alleviate suffering (dukkha) and develop compassion (karuna) and loving-kindness (metta).
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Describing the Five Precepts as strict laws or commandments.
Put it right: They should be explained as voluntary training rules or principles.
Assuming kamma is a system of divine reward and punishment.
Put it right by explaining kamma as a natural law of cause and effect driven by intention.
Failing to distinguish between the Five Precepts (common to all Buddhists) and the Six Perfections (specific to the Mahayana Bodhisattva path).
Exam tips
- Always link ethical actions to their karmic consequences and the ultimate goal of achieving enlightenment.
- Use specific Pali or Sanskrit terms like metta, karuna, and pancasila to elevate the quality of your answers.
- When evaluating an ethical dilemma, apply the first precept (ahimsa/non-violence) as a primary guiding principle.
Try the lesson
The start of the Buddhism - 3.1.1.2 Practices: Buddhist ethics lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following commitments forms the first of the Five Moral Precepts in Buddhist ethical teaching?
Listen
Buddhist ethics are fundamentally guided by the intention (cetana) behind actions, which generates kamma and influences rebirth. The foundation of ethical practice is the Five Moral Precepts (pancasila): abstaining from taking life, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants. These are not strict commandments but voluntary training rules designed to cultivate compassion (karuna) and loving-kindness (metta). Mahayana Buddhists also follow the Six Perfections (paramitas), including morality and patience, to develop the character of a Bodhisattva. Ethical decision-making involves applying these principles to reduce suffering (dukkha) for oneself and all sentient beings. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The Five Moral Precepts form the baseline of Buddhist ethical training, focusing on abstaining from harm. Kamma is generated by the intention behind an action, making mental discipline crucial to ethical behaviour. The Six Perfections (paramitas) guide Mahayana Buddhists in cultivating virtues like generosity and morality. Ethical actions are driven by the desire to alleviate suffering (dukkha) and develop compassion (karuna) and loving-kindness (metta). A common slip: Assuming kamma is a system of divine reward and punishment. Instead, explaining kamma as a natural law of cause and effect driven by intention. Exam tip: Always link ethical actions to their karmic consequences and the ultimate goal of achieving enlightenment.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Kamma and rebirth
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The Five Moral Precepts
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Compassion and loving-kindness
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The Six Perfections
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See every definition
- Kamma and rebirth
- Generated by the intention behind actions, it influences rebirth.
- The Five Moral Precepts
- Voluntary training rules, not strict commandments, designed to cultivate compassion and loving-kindness.
- Compassion and loving-kindness
- Cultivated by the Five Moral Precepts and driving ethical actions to alleviate suffering.
- The Six Perfections
- Followed by Mahayana Buddhists, including morality and patience, to develop the character of a Bodhisattva.
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