AQA · GCSE · Religious Studies

    Course version: 8062 · Version from Sept 2018

    Students should study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Buddhism…

    Full specification wording

    Buddhism: Students should study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Buddhism specified below and their basis in Buddhist sources of wisdom and authority. They should be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. Some texts are prescribed for study in the content set out below and questions may be set on them. Students may refer to any relevant text in their answers and AQA will publish a list of appropriate texts as part of the supporting material for this specification.

    It is essential to support arguments by referring to scripture or sacred texts where appropriate.

    Checked against the AQA 8062 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 2 of 4
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    It is essential to support arguments by referring to scripture or sacred texts where appropriate. While the specification prescribes certain texts that may appear directly in exam questions, such as the Dhammapada, students are encouraged to reference any relevant Buddhist text to strengthen their answers. AQA provides a published list of appropriate supporting texts, but candidates have the flexibility to draw upon other valid scriptures to demonstrate their understanding of how Buddhist authority shapes daily practice.

    What earns the marks

    • Accurately explain specific Buddhist beliefs, teachings, and practices.
    • Explicitly link Buddhist practices to their basis in sources of wisdom and authority.
    • Accurately reference prescribed texts when directly asked about them in exam questions.
    • Integrate relevant quotations or paraphrased teachings from any appropriate sacred text to support evaluative arguments.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Stating a Buddhist belief without linking it to a source of wisdom.

      Put it right: Support beliefs with a reference to a sacred text or teaching, such as the Dhammapada.

    • Believing only prescribed texts can be used in answers.

      Put it right: You may refer to any relevant Buddhist text to support your points, even if it is not on the prescribed list.

    • Providing exact, word-for-word quotes but applying them incorrectly.

      Put it right: Focus on accurately explaining the meaning and relevance of the scripture rather than just memorising it perfectly.

    Exam tips

    • Learn at least one key teaching or scriptural reference for every major belief and practice studied.
    • When a question mentions a prescribed text, ensure your answer directly addresses that specific scripture.
    • Use phrases like 'This is supported by the teaching in...' to clearly demonstrate your use of sources of authority.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Buddhism: Students should study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Buddhism specified below and their basis in Buddhist sources of wisdom and authority. They should be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. Some texts are prescribed for study in the content set out below and questions may be set on them. Students may refer to any relevant text in their answers and AQA will publish a list of appropriate texts as part of the supporting material for this specification. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    In Buddhism, what is the primary role of sources of wisdom and authority, such as sacred texts?

    Listen

    It is essential to support arguments by referring to scripture or sacred texts where appropriate. While the specification prescribes certain texts that may appear directly in exam questions, such as the Dhammapada, students are encouraged to reference any relevant Buddhist text to strengthen their answers. AQA provides a published list of appropriate supporting texts, but candidates have the flexibility to draw upon other valid scriptures to demonstrate their understanding of how Buddhist authority shapes daily practice. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Accurately explain specific Buddhist beliefs, teachings, and practices. Explicitly link Buddhist practices to their basis in sources of wisdom and authority. Accurately reference prescribed texts when directly asked about them in exam questions. Integrate relevant quotations or paraphrased teachings from any appropriate sacred text to support evaluative arguments. A common slip: Stating a Buddhist belief without linking it to a source of wisdom. Instead, support beliefs with a reference to a sacred text or teaching, such as the Dhammapada. Exam tip: Learn at least one key teaching or scriptural reference for every major belief and practice studied.

    See it

    A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box says study beliefs, teachings and practices of Buddhism, and an arrow leads to a box saying understand their basis in sources of wisdom and authority. An arrow leads to a box saying refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. From this box two arrows branch out: one to a box saying prescribed texts may be set in questions, and one to a box saying any relevant text may be referred to in answers. Both of these boxes lead to a box saying AQA publishes a list of appropriate texts, which leads to a final box saying support answers with references to sacred texts.
    It shows how studying Buddhist beliefs, teachings and practices links to their basis in sources of wisdom and authority, and how scripture may be used in answers.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Sources of wisdom

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Sacred texts

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Core beliefs

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Buddhist practices

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Sources of wisdom
    The basis in which Buddhist beliefs, teachings and practices are grounded, and to which students should link them.
    Sacred texts
    Scripture that students should be able to refer to where appropriate, and which may be prescribed for study.
    Core beliefs
    Buddhist beliefs that students must explore alongside teachings and practices, always linked to their foundational sources of wisdom and authority.
    Buddhist practices
    Practices that students must explore alongside core beliefs and teachings, always linked to their foundational sources of wisdom and authority.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box says study beliefs, teachings and practices of Buddhism, and an arrow leads to a box saying understand their basis in sources of wisdom and authority. An arrow leads to a box saying refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. From this box two arrows branch out: one to a box saying prescribed texts may be set in questions, and one to a box saying any relevant text may be referred to in answers. Both of these boxes lead to a box saying AQA publishes a list of appropriate texts, which leads to a final box saying support answers with references to sacred texts.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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    Test your understanding of Buddhism: Students should study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Buddhism specified below and their basis in Buddhist sources of wisdom and authority. They should be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate. Some texts are prescribed for study in the content set out below and questions may be set on them. Students may refer to any relevant text in their answers and AQA will publish a list of appropriate texts as part of the supporting material for this specification.

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