Higher RMPS - Essay Plans in Buddhism

A set of practice flashcards covering essay structures and content for Higher RMPS Buddhism exams, focusing on analysis of relationships, purpose, and evaluation of significance.

What are the seven topics identified for 10-mark essays analyzing 'RELATIONSHIPS' between beliefs and practices?

1. Nature of human beings; 2. Three marks of existence; 3. Relationship between a belief and practice; 4. Samsara and Nibbana; 5. Eightfold Path and Nibbana; 6. Kamma and Nibbana; 7. The 5 precepts and Kamma.

What is the recommended paragraph structure for an 'Analyse RELATIONSHIPS' essay?

1. KU about X belief/practice + SOURCE; 2. KU about Y belief/practice + SOURCE; 3. Analysis of what this KU shows about how X connects with Y.

Which five Buddhist practices are listed for the 10-mark 'Analyse the PURPOSE' essay topic?

1. Following the 5 precepts; 2. Meditation; 3. Living according to the Eightfold Path; 4. Practicing devotion; 5. The sangha.

In an 'Analyse PURPOSE' essay, how should a student explain how a practice helps achieve 'Gradual liberation away from samsaric existence'?

Explain how the practice leads to: Cessation of attachment, Extinction of 3 poisons, Dispelling illusion about reality and self, and Overcoming of suffering.

What four elements should be used to explain how a practice helps a Buddhist achieve 'Spiritual progress towards Nibbana'?

1. Accumulating skilful kamma for better rebirth; 2. Gaining insight/understanding of reality and self; 3. Releasing heart by developing ahimsa, karuna, and metta; 4. Developing equanimity.

What five specific beliefs/practices are listed for the 20-mark 'Evaluate the SIGNIFICANCE / RELEVANCE' essays?

1. The 3 marks of existence; 2. The nature of human beings; 3. Beliefs about Samsara; 4. Beliefs about the Buddha; 5. Beliefs about Nibbana.

What is the recommended 3-step paragraph structure for Section C (Evaluating Significance)?

1. KU about the belief/practice + SOURCE; 2. Analysis using 'implications' (purpose, relationship, or impact on life); 3. Evaluation (argument on whether X is crucial, negligible, or relative significance).

When writing a 20-mark evaluation essay, what terminology should be avoided in the 'Analyse' step and what should be used instead?

Do not mention 'significance', 'relevance', or 'importance' in the analysis step; use the term 'implications' instead.

What are some criteria used to evaluate the relative significance of a Buddhist belief or practice?

Consider if it is a goal or a means; if it is direct or remote; if it is a necessary or sufficient condition; if it is practical or unrealistic; if it is equally important in all traditions; and its relevance to lay vs. ordained or modern society.

For the 20-mark essay 'X is the most significant of all beliefs / practices', what is the specific rule for the first paragraph?

The first paragraph should always start with the specific belief or practice mentioned in the question.

In the 'X is the most significant' 20-mark essay, how should subsequent paragraphs be handled after the first?

Consider other beliefs/practices, analyze their importance, and evaluate whether they are more or less important than the belief/practice mentioned in the question.