AQA · GCSE · Religious Studies

    Course version: 8062 · Version from Sept 2018

    Key Beliefs: Human destiny:

    In Buddhism, human destiny is determined by a person's actions (karma) and their pursuit of enlightenment.

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

    • Point 11 of 24
    • 3 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    In Buddhism, human destiny is determined by a person's actions (karma) and their pursuit of enlightenment. The ultimate goal is to break free from samsara. Different traditions offer distinct paths and goals for human destiny. In Theravada Buddhism, the goal is to become an Arhat, a perfected person who has attained Nirvana. In Mahayana Buddhism, the ideal is the Bodhisattva, who delays their own Parinirvana out of compassion to help all sentient beings achieve Buddhahood. Additionally, Pure Land Buddhists aim for rebirth in the Pure Land (Sukhavati), a realm created by Amitabha Buddha where attaining enlightenment is much easier. Understanding these distinct concepts of human destiny is essential for evaluating Buddhist practices.

    What earns the marks

    • Explain the Theravada goal of becoming an Arhat, a perfected person who has overcome the main sources of suffering to attain Nirvana.
    • Describe the Mahayana ideal of the Bodhisattva, who remains in the cycle of samsara out of compassion to help others achieve enlightenment.
    • Outline the concept of Buddhahood as the ultimate state of awakening and human destiny in Mahayana traditions.
    • Explain the Pure Land Buddhist goal of rebirth in the Pure Land (Sukhavati), where Amitabha Buddha helps beings attain enlightenment.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing the goals of Arhat and Bodhisattva.

      Put it right: An Arhat focuses on their own liberation (Theravada), while a Bodhisattva seeks to help all beings achieve enlightenment (Mahayana).

    • Assuming Nirvana is a physical place after death.

      Put it right: Describe Nirvana as a state of enlightenment and liberation from suffering, whereas the Pure Land is a realm where enlightenment is easier to attain.

    • Believing human destiny is controlled by a creator God.

      Put it right: Explain that destiny is shaped by an individual's own karma and choices, leading towards Buddhahood or rebirth in the Pure Land.

    Exam tips

    • Always specify which Buddhist tradition you are referring to when discussing human destiny (e.g., Theravada for Arhat, Mahayana for Bodhisattva).
    • Use the concepts of Arhat, Bodhisattva, Buddhahood, and Pure Land to show diverse Buddhist views on human destiny in evaluation questions.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Key Beliefs: Human destiny: lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    In Buddhism, what is considered the ultimate human destiny or goal?

    Listen

    In Buddhism, human destiny is determined by a person's actions (karma) and their pursuit of enlightenment. The ultimate goal is to break free from samsara. Different traditions offer distinct paths and goals for human destiny. In Theravada Buddhism, the goal is to become an Arhat, a perfected person who has attained Nirvana. In Mahayana Buddhism, the ideal is the Bodhisattva, who delays their own Parinirvana out of compassion to help all sentient beings achieve Buddhahood. Additionally, Pure Land Buddhists aim for rebirth in the Pure Land (Sukhavati), a realm created by Amitabha Buddha where attaining enlightenment is much easier. Understanding these distinct concepts of human destiny is essential for evaluating Buddhist practices. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the Theravada goal of becoming an Arhat, a perfected person who has overcome the main sources of suffering to attain Nirvana. Describe the Mahayana ideal of the Bodhisattva, who remains in the cycle of samsara out of compassion to help others achieve enlightenment. Outline the concept of Buddhahood as the ultimate state of awakening and human destiny in Mahayana traditions. Explain the Pure Land Buddhist goal of rebirth in the Pure Land (Sukhavati), where Amitabha Buddha helps beings attain enlightenment. A common slip: Confusing the goals of Arhat and Bodhisattva. Instead, an Arhat focuses on their own liberation (Theravada), while a Bodhisattva seeks to help all beings achieve enlightenment (Mahayana). Exam tip: Always specify which Buddhist tradition you are referring to when discussing human destiny (e.g., Theravada for Arhat, Mahayana for Bodhisattva).

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The top node reads 'Human destiny' and points down to a node reading 'Determined by karma and pursuit of enlightenment'. From this second node three branches lead down. The left branch goes to 'Theravada: goal is to become an Arhat', which leads to 'Arhat attains Nirvana'. The middle branch goes to 'Mahayana: ideal is the Bodhisattva', which leads to 'Bodhisattva delays own Parinirvana out of compassion', which in turn leads to 'Helps all sentient beings achieve Buddhahood'. The right branch goes to 'Pure Land: aim for rebirth in the Pure Land (Sukhavati)', which leads to 'Realm created by Amitabha Buddha where enlightenment is easier'.
    It shows how human destiny in Buddhism is shaped by karma and the pursuit of enlightenment, leading to the distinct goals of Theravada, Mahayana and Pure Land traditions.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Human destiny

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

    Arhat and Bodhisattva

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

    Buddhahood and Pure Land

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

    See every definition
    Human destiny
    Determined by a person's actions (karma) and their pursuit of enlightenment, with the ultimate goal of breaking free from samsara.
    Arhat and Bodhisattva
    In Theravada the goal is a perfected person who has attained Nirvana; in Mahayana the ideal delays their own Parinirvana out of compassion to help all sentient beings achieve Buddhahood.
    Buddhahood and Pure Land
    The ultimate state of awakening, and a realm created by Amitabha Buddha where attaining enlightenment is much easier.

    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 top-down flowchart. The top node reads 'Human destiny' and points down to a node reading 'Determined by karma and pursuit of enlightenment'. From this second node three branches lead down. The left branch goes to 'Theravada: goal is to become an Arhat', which leads to 'Arhat attains Nirvana'. The middle branch goes to 'Mahayana: ideal is the Bodhisattva', which leads to 'Bodhisattva delays own Parinirvana out of compassion', which in turn leads to 'Helps all sentient beings achieve Buddhahood'. The right branch goes to 'Pure Land: aim for rebirth in the Pure Land (Sukhavati)', which leads to 'Realm created by Amitabha Buddha where enlightenment is easier'.

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