2. Assess the extent of the centrality of the Four Noble Truths for different Buddhists. (12)
Theravada Buddhists will agree with this statement because the Four Noble Truths focus on dukkha and its cessation which lead to individual enlightment and therefore end the cycle of rebirth.
Overall, I disagree with this statement because Buddhists do not only read the Four Noble Truths to attain enlightment, but they also must understand the Three Marks of existance, the skandhas and follow the Eightfold path. Futher Mahayana don't even really have the Nibanna as the same aim.
Therevada argue that the Four Noble Truths must be understood and accepted in order to achieve enlightment which is the ultimate goal of Buddhists. Theravada Buddhists must understand dukkha and learn that it is caused by the three poisons (greed, ignorance and craving), hence by understanding this and following it as a daily reminder, enlightment can be achieved.
However, Mahayana disagree with this statement as in order to attain enlightment you must follow a lifestyle known as ‘The Middle Way’ which shows that extrem luxury or extreme poverty does not provide a solution to dukkha nor achieving enlightment. the Best we can work for is developing awareness of our Buddha-nature by cultivating metta or love and compassion or Karuna as a Bodhisattva. For Mahayana helping others active enlightenement is more important that recieving it yourself.
Theravada disagree they argue that the eightfold way should also be followed in order to love a good life which ‘cultivates good, create no evil and cleanse one’s mind’, this shows that good things will result in good karma which leads to a clean mind whilst meditating which makes reaching enlightment ‘easier’.
In conclusion while Therevada argue we should understand and not misbehave to become ‘arhats’ and hence achieve enlightment as teh goal as the four Noble Truths Mahayana are less committed to thios end. Mahayana Buddhism does not only include a few methods or teachings; it includes many that must be followed to discover your Buddha nature, therefore Mahyana Buddhism is known more as a lifestyle. So if you chop wood then chop wood Mahayana Zen would say and don't worry about the four noble Truths.
2. Assess the view that the Four Noble Truths are vital in order to understand Buddhism. (12)
2. Assess the importance the Four Noble Truths for Buddhists. (12)
2. Assess the significance of the claim the Four Noble Truths are the basis of Buddhism. (12)
2. Assess the importance of the Three Poisons for Buddhists. (12) 2018 Paper Q
2 Assess the strenghts of Buddhist claims that Life is Dukkha. (12)
2. Assess the credibility of the Buddhas claim the cessation of craving/desire in the Four Noble Truths leeds to the end of suffering. (12)
2 Assess the weakness of claim Buddhism is pessimistic given the Buddhas teaching on Dukkha. (12)
2 Assess the strenghts of the claim that Tanah is what causes all suffering. (12)
2. Assess the extent Theravada teaching on the nature of Enlightenment and nibbana can be accepted. (12)
2. Assess the opinion that the Eight-fold Path is the Buddha’s best teaching. (12)
2 Assess the strengths of claim the wisdom steps are the most important parts of the Noble Eightfold Path. (12)
2 Assess the importance of claim the ethics steps are the most important parts of the Noble Eightfold Path. (12)
2 Assess the strengths of claim the meditation steps are the most important parts of the Noble Eightfold Path. (12)
2 Assess the weaknesses of claim the Three-fold Way of ethics, is more important than meditation and wisdom. (12)
2 Assess the significance of the claim what the Eightfold Path teaches about wisdom is more signifiacnt than what it teaches about ethics and meditation. (12)
2 Assess how it is the case that it can be said a Theravada Buddhist should prioritise cultivating mediation over ethics and wisdom. (12)
2 Assess the credibility of the claim metta is the most important quality a Buddhist should develop. (12)
Assess how far it is the case that its more helpful for a Buddhist to develop the quality of Khanti than Karunna. (12)
2 Assess how far it is the case that Mahayana ideas about four noble truths are different to Theravada Buddhist ideas. (12)
2 Assess how far it is the case that Budhist ideas about Nibanna as the goal of Buddhism owe more to historical and contemporary world ideas than the teaching of the Buddha. (12)