Q12 (b)

Criteria	Marks
Provides a detailed and accurate explanation of how ONE significant practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism; Integrates the statement effectively throughout the response; Uses clear and relevant evidence to support response; Integrates relevant and accurate terminology	8
Provides an accurate explanation of how ONE significant practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism; Integrates the statement throughout the response; Uses relevant evidence to support response; Integrates relevant terminology	6–7
Provides some explanation of how ONE significant practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism; Refers to the statement in the response; Uses evidence in response; Uses some terminology	4–5
Outlines how ONE significant practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism; May refer to the statement; May use evidence AND/OR terminology in response	2–3
Makes general statements about practices in Buddhism	1

Answers could include:

• Temple Puja is the ‘sacred thread’ facilitates a spiritual connection between Buddhists and the ‘divine’ Three Jewels, placing them on the path to Nirvana.
• Participation in Temple Puja allows Buddhists to engage with and express their principal beliefs – namely the Three Jewels and the Noble Eightfold Path.
• Temple Puja provides an access point to Buddhist beliefs through various rituals, that ‘connect them to the divine’.
• Meditation allows for physical and spiritual participation in the Noble Eightfold path – most notably ‘Right Mindfulness’ and ‘Right Concentration’. This allows Buddhists to directly imitate the Buddha, a key element of the belief in the Three Jewels.
• Chanting the ‘Threefold Refuge’ hymn facilitates ‘Right Speech’, engages adherents in focused meditation and affirms the belief in Dharma (Three Jewels).
• Offerings of food and flowers to the Buddha allow for the worship of the Buddha, ‘who is the light’ (The Threefold Puja). They also allow a Buddhist to manifest dana (generosity) through the donation of this food to the poor after worship. Through doing so, Buddhists follow the Buddha’s instruction to ‘give, even if you have a little’ (Dhammapada 224).
• Engaging in Temple Puja also promotes and generates positive karma, improving one’s cycle of samsara to strive for Nirvana.