Your task is to produce an assessment that answers the question, “How do Buddhists account for the existence of suffering?”
You can present your work in a variety of ways if you don’t want to write an essay:
- A poster
- A PowerPoint
- A booklet
- A newspaper article
- An essay if you’d like to write one!
- If you have any other ideas please leave a comment and ask
To answer this well you need to:
- Define suffering: What does it mean? What is the difference between moral and natural evil?
- Give examples of the different types of suffering
- Describe Buddhist beliefs about the causes of suffering – refer to the Three Marks of Existence and The Four Noble Truths
- Explain how Buddhists believe suffering can be controlled. You’ll want to look at the Eightfold Path
- Analyse Buddhist beliefs in relation to Christian beliefs. How do Christians explain evil? (The Devil? Free will? Adam and Eve? Suffering is a test? Suffering is a punishment?) What are the differences?
- Conclude: Does Buddhism explain suffering well? Is there a better way to explain?
Resources:
- How Buddhists explain suffering task handout
- Beliefnet – Why bad things happen.
- ThatRSWebsite – How Christians explain suffering
- If you find any other links please leave a comment so others can use it…
Due Date: Thursday 7th April
Please get in touch with me if you need more time for any reason. Don’t turn up on the day without anything!
fiona
March 19, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Do we have to present this in class, like a proper presentation?
Mr Bigg
March 20, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Nope, but you’re very welcome to if you want to!
maddie
March 19, 2011 at 5:41 pm
hi, what would the title be?
maddie
March 19, 2011 at 5:45 pm
ohh sorry found it!!!! thanks mr bigg!
Hannah
March 23, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Can Mollie in 7C with me do a film interview? Also when is it due?
Mr Bigg
March 23, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Yes, you can do a film and bring it on a memory stick. Just make sure the content is good!
Hannah
March 24, 2011 at 7:04 am
Thanks but when is it due for 7C cause we were never told and also what about a magazine?
Mr Bigg
March 24, 2011 at 8:23 am
Thursday 7th April!
Magazine is fine, as long as the content is there!
Charlotte
March 31, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Hey Mr.Bigg, I knwo you explained this in class and everything but I’m really confused. I’ve already written where Christians and Buddhists believe that Suffering and Evil come from but I am confused what else to write next. Do we look at both christians and Buddhists views? Or just Buddhists?? Thanks!
Mr Bigg
March 31, 2011 at 9:55 pm
You need to analyse next! What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Buddhist and Christian ways of explaining suffering?
This will help you consider which way of looking at suffering is better…
Charlotte
April 4, 2011 at 7:56 pm
So, after I’ve done which is more affective and other things I should analyse? OK. Does that get you a level six?? I’ve done about two ish pages – will that be ok??? This is confusing!!!!!
Thanks anways.
Mr Bigg
April 4, 2011 at 10:48 pm
The “which is more effective” is your analysis. After that you need to come to a conclusion. Which do you think is the best way to understand suffering? Christian or Buddhist (or other?)? Why? If you’ve explained the effectiveness of each well and in detail then that will be working towards level 6…
Two pages sounds about right. It’s a hard assignment so you shouldn’t be surprised if you’re a bit confused!
ailish
April 2, 2011 at 1:55 pm
when are u checking to see wat we have done ?????
Mr Bigg
April 3, 2011 at 7:07 pm
This week! If you can get a note in your diary to say you’ve been doing something at home that’ll be fine…
Abbie
April 3, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I don’t know what to do because mrD sent me out And didn’t tell me and this does not make sense:L
Mr Bigg
April 3, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Ok. You’ll need to do a little reading. What you produce needs to explain what Buddhists believe about the cause of suffering. Have a look at some of the links in the post…
If you’ve read all the information and you’re still not sure please come to see me at lunchtime this week and I’ll go through it with you!
Abbie
April 3, 2011 at 7:55 pm
But readings boring and I can’t this week I have detentions :L
Mr Bigg
April 3, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Sorry Abbie! Looks like you’ll have to get reading then!
Try the “How Buddhists explain suffering task handout” for starters…
Dan
April 4, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Ive done most of the work but I dont understand what suffering dukkha has to do with suffering samudaya.
Mr Bigg
April 4, 2011 at 10:43 pm
The link is that “dukkha” (all life is suffering) is *caused* by samudaya (craving, greed, attachment). They are not different kinds of suffering. Dukkha is suffering, and it is caused by samudaya. Does that make sense?
maddie
April 4, 2011 at 7:01 pm
i dont understand what we have to do for 5th april??? :/
Mr Bigg
April 4, 2011 at 10:43 pm
You just need to show that you’ve made some progress and you’re on track. A simple note in your planner to say that you’ve done something will be fine!
thomas
April 4, 2011 at 7:22 pm
when is the homework actualy due mr big for 7N
Mr Bigg
April 4, 2011 at 10:45 pm
The first lesson back after Easter. It won’t be the Thursday after term starts as I’m out sorting Year 10 that day, so it’ll be the first Tuesday of term.
Will
April 6, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Hi Mr Bigg i dont get the bit where weexplain the fornoble truths and three marks of existence
Mr Bigg
April 6, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Hi Will. Have you read the info on it (see links). You need to explain that dukkha, suffering, is caused by our attachment to things and greed…
Hannah
April 6, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Mollie and Me did a film but when we tried to put it on a disc it got deleted for some reason :/ so instead of doing it again we started a magazine but unfortunatley we havent finished it yet. Please may we have an extended time so we can fish off?
Hannah
April 6, 2011 at 7:47 pm
I meant finish no fish. sorry.
Mr Bigg
April 6, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Bad luck… Get it to me first thing after the holidays?
Mollie and Hannah
April 9, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Si, Thanks.
Jonno
April 6, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Is it due tommorow?
Mr Bigg
April 6, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Yep
Abbie
April 20, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Done it
Mollie and Hannah
April 9, 2011 at 3:05 pm
What is the third mark of existence cause we dont really get the link
Mr Bigg
April 11, 2011 at 1:03 pm
It’s the idea that there is no unchanging soul in a person. There is no eternal “you” that makes you who you are. You are changing just as much as everything else. Does that help?
Hannah
May 2, 2011 at 10:23 am
when is this due i think it is the 5th of may but i am not sure !
Mr Bigg
May 2, 2011 at 3:23 pm
It’s due in tomorrow I think…
kiana
April 10, 2013 at 11:27 am
hi i am really stuck we have to write a essay about how would a christian or a buddhist respond to suffering !! has anyone got any ideas