Buddhism for GCSE

Introduction

Guide for GCSE Buddhism focusing on key concepts, not a recap of Buddha's life.
Buddhism is systematic, with detailed categorizations.
Uses Pali language terms per GCSE syllabus; Sanskrit terms may also be mentioned.

Life is full of suffering: After death, individuals are reborn in a cycle known as "samsara."
Nibana/Nirvana: Ultimate aim is to escape samsara, achieving a state of perfect happiness, peace, and freedom from suffering through enlightenment.

Dukkha (Suffering): Life involves suffering; seven states include birth, old age, sickness, death, sorrow, unpleasant contact, and unfulfilled wishes.
- Categories of suffering: ordinary, change, and attachment.
Anika (Impermanence): Everything is impermanent and constantly changing, contributing to suffering.
Anata (No-self): No fixed self; personal identity is constantly changing among five aggregates (body, sensations, perceptions, mental formations, consciousness).

Cause and Effect: Understanding suffering's causes is key to eliminating it.
Dependent arising: Everything arises and ceases dependent on something else; relates to karma.

Truth of Suffering: Recognizes suffering in various forms (physical and mental).
Samudaya (Origin of Suffering): Root cause is "tana" or craving, driven by the three poisons (greed, hatred, ignorance).
Nirada (Cessation of Suffering): Suffering can end by overcoming craving.
Maga (Path to End Suffering): The Eightfold Path offers guidelines to overcome suffering.

Wisdom (Panna):
- Right understanding and intention.
Ethics (Sila):
- Right speech, action, and livelihood.
- Follow the Five Precepts (no killing, stealing, misuse of senses, wrong speech, intoxicants).
Meditation (Samadhi):
- Right effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
- Types of meditation include Samatha (calming), Vipassana (insight), and Metta (loving-kindness).