Buddhism Depth Study · HSC Studies of Religion

What are the ethical teachings of Buddhism on bioethics, and how do Buddhists apply them to issues of life and death?

Ethics: describe and explain Buddhist ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics (this page: bioethics)

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study, bioethics. The first precept, ahimsa, karuna and cetana with precise Pali Canon references, the Vinaya's rulings on killing, abortion and praising death, the debated Channa Sutta, and how Buddhists approach abortion, voluntary assisted dying, IVF and organ donation, with NESA's 2024 and 2025 sample answers.

14 min read →

What are the ethical teachings of Buddhism on environmental ethics?

Ethics: describe and explain Buddhist ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics (this page: environmental ethics)

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study, environmental ethics. Dependent arising, ahimsa and the First Precept, metta and karuna, craving and sufficiency, karma and merit (SN 1.47, cited in NESA's 2025 guidelines), the monastic rules on plants, differences between schools, the Dalai Lama and engaged Buddhism, and the 2022 to 2025 HSC questions.

16 min read →

How did one significant person or school of thought shape the development and expression of Buddhism?

Significant people and schools of thought: explain the contribution to the development and expression of Buddhism of ONE significant person OR school of thought, other than the Buddha, drawn from: Asoka, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), Sister Dhammadinna, Tenzin Palmo, XIVth Dalai Lama, Pure Land, Soto Zen, Won Buddhism; analyse the impact of this person OR school of thought on Buddhism (this page: Asoka)

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study, significant person. The Mauryan emperor Asoka (reigned about 268 to 232 BCE) - Kalinga, conquest by Dhamma, the rock and pillar edicts, support for the Sangha, the Third Council and the mission to Sri Lanka - his contribution and impact, his critics, and the 2019 to 2025 HSC questions where NESA's guidelines used Asoka.

14 min read →

Significant people and schools of thought: explain the contribution to the development and expression of Buddhism of ONE significant person OR school of thought, other than the Buddha, drawn from: Asoka, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), Sister Dhammadinna, Tenzin Palmo, XIVth Dalai Lama, Pure Land, Soto Zen, Won Buddhism; analyse the impact of this person OR school of thought on Buddhism (this page: XIVth Dalai Lama)

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study, significant person. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso - his life, exile and leadership, his teaching of compassion, universal responsibility and secular ethics, dialogue with science and religions, preservation of Tibetan Buddhism, his impact and critics, and the 2019 to 2025 HSC questions.

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How is pilgrimage expressed in Buddhism, and what is its significance for the individual and the Buddhist community?

Significant practices in the life of adherents: describe ONE significant practice within Buddhism drawn from Pilgrimage, Temple Puja, Wesak; demonstrate how the chosen practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism; analyse the significance of this practice for both the individual and the Buddhist community

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study. Pilgrimage to the four places the Buddha named in DN 16 (Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kusinara), what pilgrims do, how it expresses the Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths, impermanence and merit, its significance for the individual and the community, and the 2023 to 2025 HSC questions.

14 min read →

How is temple puja expressed in Buddhism, and what is its significance for the individual and the community?

Significant practices in the life of adherents: describe ONE significant practice within Buddhism drawn from Pilgrimage, Temple Puja, Wesak; demonstrate how the chosen practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism; analyse the significance of this practice for both the individual and the Buddhist community

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study, significant practice. What happens at temple puja (homage, refuge, precepts, offerings, chanting, meditation, Dhamma talk, dana), how it differs across Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana, how it expresses the Three Jewels, anicca, karma and the Eightfold Path, its significance, and the 2019 to 2025 HSC questions.

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How is Wesak expressed in Buddhism, and what is its significance for the individual and the Buddhist community?

Significant practices in the life of adherents: describe ONE significant practice within Buddhism drawn from Pilgrimage, Temple Puja, Wesak; demonstrate how the chosen practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism; analyse the significance of this practice for both the individual and the Buddhist community

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study. Wesak (Vesak), the full-moon festival marking the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing, how it is celebrated in Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions, how it expresses the Three Jewels, the path, impermanence and merit, its significance for the individual and the Sangha, and the 2023 to 2025 HSC questions.

12 min read →

What are the ethical teachings of Buddhism on sexual ethics, and how do Buddhists apply them?

Ethics: describe and explain Buddhist ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics (this page: sexual ethics)

HSC Studies of Religion Buddhism depth study, sexual ethics. The Third Precept and what the Suttas count as sexual misconduct (AN 10.176), craving and the Second Noble Truth, intention, ahimsa and consent, duties of husband and wife (DN 31), monastic celibacy (Vinaya), marriage as a social contract, differences between schools and contemporary questions, with the 2023 to 2025 HSC questions.

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What are the principal beliefs of Buddhism, and how are they recorded in its sacred texts and writings?

Preliminary course, Religious Tradition Study (Buddhism): define The Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha); describe the significance of The Four Noble Truths; examine the beliefs of Anicca, Duhkka and Anatta; recognise the connection between Karma and Samsara; outline the importance of Nirvana in Buddhism; identify the importance of the Tripitaka, the Lotus of the Good Law and the Tibetan Book of the Dead; examine extracts from them which demonstrate the principal beliefs of Buddhism

Year 11 (Preliminary) Studies of Religion, Buddhism. The Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, anicca, dukkha and anatta, karma and samsara, nirvana, the three schools, and the Tripitaka, Lotus Sutra and Tibetan Book of the Dead, with verified extracts, drills and practice questions linking beliefs to the HSC depth study.

14 min read →