How to Revise Buddhism — OCR GCSE Religious Studies
Buddhism is a topic in the OCR GCSE Religious Studies specification. This guide covers learning objectives, examiner tips, common mistakes, and key terminology to help you revise effectively.
Examiner Tips for Buddhism
- Ensure you can define key terms accurately (e.g., Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha, Nibbana).
- Always support your explanations with relevant sources of wisdom and authority.
- When discussing divergent views, clearly identify which Buddhist tradition (e.g., Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan) holds which view.
- Practice applying Buddhist ethical principles (like the Five Precepts) to modern scenarios.
- Use the command words (Describe, Explain, Discuss) to structure your answers according to the mark tariff.
Common Mistakes in Buddhism
- Confusing the different types of suffering (dukkha-dukkha, viparinama-dukkha, sankhara-dukkha).
- Failing to distinguish between Theravada and Mahayana perspectives on concepts like the Bodhisattva or human personality.
- Generalizing Buddhist beliefs without acknowledging divergent views between traditions.
- Not explicitly linking practices (like meditation or puja) to the goal of ending dukkha.
- Misunderstanding the relationship between Kamma, rebirth, and Nibbana.
Key Marking Points
- Knowledge and understanding of the life of the Buddha (early life, Four Sights, Mara, Enlightenment, Nibbana).
- Understanding of the Dhamma (eternal law, Three Jewels, dependent origination, Three Marks of Existence).
- Detailed knowledge of the Four Noble Truths (Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga).
- Understanding of human personality (five aggregates, anicca, anatta, sunyata, buddha-nature).
- Knowledge of human destiny (Arahant, Bodhisattva, Buddhas, Pure Land).
- Understanding of ethical teachings (Kamma, rebirth, compassion, loving kindness, Five Precepts, Six Perfections).