Buddhism – Religious figures and sacred texts

This topic explores the key religious figures and sacred texts in Buddhism, focusing on the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) and the development of Buddhist scriptures. Students will examine the historical and spiritual significance of the Buddha's life, including his renunciation, enlightenment, and first sermon, as well as the formation and authority of the Pali Canon and Mahayana sutras. Understanding these figures and texts is essential for analysing how Buddhist doctrines and practices have evolved across different traditions.

The Buddha is not considered a god but a human who attained enlightenment and showed others the path to liberation. His teachings, preserved in texts like the Dhammapada and the Lotus Sutra, form the foundation of Buddhist philosophy and ethics. This topic also covers the role of other significant figures such as bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, who postpone their own nirvana to help others. Mastery of this content allows students to critically evaluate the diversity within Buddhism and its adaptation across cultures.

Within the WJEC A-Level Religious Studies specification, this topic is part of the Buddhism component, which requires students to engage with primary sources and scholarly interpretations. It connects to broader themes such as the nature of ultimate reality, the path to liberation, and the relationship between religious authority and personal experience. A strong grasp of these figures and texts will enable students to construct well-supported arguments in essays and source-based questions.