3.1.3 Buddhism — Overview

Buddhism is one of the world's major religions with approximately 500 million followers, predominantly in Asia. It began with Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha — "Enlightened One") in 5th–4th century BCE in what is now Nepal/India. For AQA GCSE RS, study both Buddhist beliefs (3.1.3.B) and practices (3.1.3.P).

Core Buddhist beliefs at a glance

• The Buddha's life: Siddhartha was a prince who left his palace, witnessed suffering, sought enlightenment, and attained it under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya
• Three Marks of Existence: Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (suffering/unsatisfactoriness), Anatta (no fixed self)
• Four Noble Truths: 1. Dukkha (suffering exists), 2. Samudaya (craving causes it), 3. Nirodha (craving can cease), 4. Magga (the Eightfold Path leads to cessation)
• Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
• Dependent Arising (Pratitya-samutpada): all phenomena arise in dependence on conditions; nothing exists independently
• Karma and Rebirth: intentional actions (karma) have consequences; the cycle of rebirth (samsara) continues until nirvana
• Nirvana: the extinguishing of craving and the cessation of suffering; the goal of Buddhist practice

Theravada vs Mahayana

• Theravada ("Way of the Elders"): focuses on the Pali Canon; the ideal is the arhat (one who attains nirvana for oneself); dominant in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar
• Mahayana ("Great Vehicle"): the ideal is the bodhisattva (one who delays nirvana to help all beings attain liberation); includes Zen, Pure Land, Tibetan traditions

Key Buddhist practices

Meditation (samatha/vipassana), worship at shrines and temples, chanting, ethical living (Five Precepts), festivals (Wesak — birth/enlightenment/death of Buddha; Parinirvana Day — the Buddha's final death).

Exam advice

Buddhism does not have a personal creator God — be careful not to use "God" language. Emphasise compassion (karuna) and wisdom (prajna) as central values.