AQA_2024: A-level Religious Studies - Paper 2A
Study of Religion and Dialogues: Buddhism.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Paper 2A Study of Religion and Dialogues: Buddhism
Monday 17 June 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 3 hours
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7062/2A.
Answer:
– both two-part questions from Section A, and
– one question from Section B, and
– one question from Section C.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 100.
In each two-part question in Section A, the first part tests your knowledge and understanding,
while the second part tests your skills of reasoning and evaluation.
The one-part questions in Sections B and C test your knowledge and understanding and your
skills of reasoning and evaluation.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
,For A-level Religious Studies Paper 2A on Buddhism, focus on the following key areas:
1. The Life of the Buddha:
Early Life: Siddhartha Gautama's birth, royal life, and the Four Sights (old age, sickness, death, and
asceticism) that led to his Great Departure.
Enlightenment: His meditation under the Bodhi tree, the temptation by Mara, and his attainment of
Nirvana, becoming the Buddha.
Teaching: Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath, setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma, teaching the
Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
2. Core Buddhist Teachings:
The Four Noble Truths:
1. Dukkha: Suffering is an inherent part of life.
2. Samudaya: The cause of suffering is craving (tanha).
3. Nirodha: Suffering can end by eliminating craving.
4. Magga: The path to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path: Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right
Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
3. The Three Marks of Existence:
Anicca: Impermanence — all things are transient.
Dukkha: Suffering or dissatisfaction — inherent in existence.
Anatta: Non-self — the idea that there is no permanent, unchanging self.
4. The Three Jewels (Triratna):
Buddha: The enlightened one.
Dhamma: The teachings of the Buddha.
Sangha: The community of followers (monastic and lay).
5. Buddhist Practices:
Meditation: Types such as Samatha (calmness) and Vipassana (insight) meditation.
Rituals and Festivals: Key practices like chanting, offerings, and festivals like Wesak (celebrating
the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death).
6. Schools of Buddhism:
Theravada Buddhism: Focus on the Pali Canon and the ideal of becoming an Arhat (enlightened
being).
Mahayana Buddhism: Focus on the Bodhisattva ideal, aiming to become a Buddha for the benefit
of all sentient beings.
Vajrayana Buddhism: Focus on Tibetan practices, including the role of the Dalai Lama and
esoteric rituals.
This summary covers essential aspects of Buddhism for Paper 2A, focusing on the life of the
Buddha, core teachings, practices, and schools.
IB/M/Jun24/G4005/E2 7062/2A
, 2
Section A: Study of Buddhism
Answer both questions in this section.
Each question has two parts.
Question 1
0 1 . 1 Examine the analogy of the chariot in the Questions of King Milinda.
[10 marks]
and
0 1 . 2 ‘There is no single understanding among Buddhists about Anicca.’
Evaluate this claim.
[15 marks]
Question 2
0 2 . 1 Examine how Buddhist liberationist approaches influence society today.
[10 marks]
and
0 2 . 2 ‘There is little agreement among Buddhists about the ordination of women.’
Evaluate this claim.
[15 marks]
IB/M/Jun24/7062/2A
Study of Religion and Dialogues: Buddhism.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Paper 2A Study of Religion and Dialogues: Buddhism
Monday 17 June 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 3 hours
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7062/2A.
Answer:
– both two-part questions from Section A, and
– one question from Section B, and
– one question from Section C.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 100.
In each two-part question in Section A, the first part tests your knowledge and understanding,
while the second part tests your skills of reasoning and evaluation.
The one-part questions in Sections B and C test your knowledge and understanding and your
skills of reasoning and evaluation.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
,For A-level Religious Studies Paper 2A on Buddhism, focus on the following key areas:
1. The Life of the Buddha:
Early Life: Siddhartha Gautama's birth, royal life, and the Four Sights (old age, sickness, death, and
asceticism) that led to his Great Departure.
Enlightenment: His meditation under the Bodhi tree, the temptation by Mara, and his attainment of
Nirvana, becoming the Buddha.
Teaching: Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath, setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma, teaching the
Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
2. Core Buddhist Teachings:
The Four Noble Truths:
1. Dukkha: Suffering is an inherent part of life.
2. Samudaya: The cause of suffering is craving (tanha).
3. Nirodha: Suffering can end by eliminating craving.
4. Magga: The path to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path: Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right
Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
3. The Three Marks of Existence:
Anicca: Impermanence — all things are transient.
Dukkha: Suffering or dissatisfaction — inherent in existence.
Anatta: Non-self — the idea that there is no permanent, unchanging self.
4. The Three Jewels (Triratna):
Buddha: The enlightened one.
Dhamma: The teachings of the Buddha.
Sangha: The community of followers (monastic and lay).
5. Buddhist Practices:
Meditation: Types such as Samatha (calmness) and Vipassana (insight) meditation.
Rituals and Festivals: Key practices like chanting, offerings, and festivals like Wesak (celebrating
the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death).
6. Schools of Buddhism:
Theravada Buddhism: Focus on the Pali Canon and the ideal of becoming an Arhat (enlightened
being).
Mahayana Buddhism: Focus on the Bodhisattva ideal, aiming to become a Buddha for the benefit
of all sentient beings.
Vajrayana Buddhism: Focus on Tibetan practices, including the role of the Dalai Lama and
esoteric rituals.
This summary covers essential aspects of Buddhism for Paper 2A, focusing on the life of the
Buddha, core teachings, practices, and schools.
IB/M/Jun24/G4005/E2 7062/2A
, 2
Section A: Study of Buddhism
Answer both questions in this section.
Each question has two parts.
Question 1
0 1 . 1 Examine the analogy of the chariot in the Questions of King Milinda.
[10 marks]
and
0 1 . 2 ‘There is no single understanding among Buddhists about Anicca.’
Evaluate this claim.
[15 marks]
Question 2
0 2 . 1 Examine how Buddhist liberationist approaches influence society today.
[10 marks]
and
0 2 . 2 ‘There is little agreement among Buddhists about the ordination of women.’
Evaluate this claim.
[15 marks]
IB/M/Jun24/7062/2A
