Year 11 - Religious education
Buddhist attitudes to issues of wealth and poverty
Issues of Human Rights
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will examine ideas of human rights and reponsibilities. They will examine ideas of religious expression, the status of women and issues related to wealth and charity. Pupils will gain an understanding of different Christian and non-religious responses to these issues.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain Buddhist teachings and responses to wealth and poverty.
Key Notes
- Wealth is neutral, but when tied to taṇhā (craving), lobha (greed), or exploitation, it causes dukkha (suffering).
- The Middle Way and the Eightfold Path guide Buddhists to use wealth ethically and avoid extremes.
- Values like mettā, karuṇā, and the Five Precepts promote honesty, fairness, and care for people living in poverty.
- Dr Ambedkar turned to Buddhism to fight caste oppression and poverty.
- The Karuna Trust and monasteries apply Buddhist values through service, simplicity, and community care.
Vocabulary To Learn
- dukkha (suffering): belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness; one of the Three Marks of Existence
- karuna (compassion): sympathy and concern for the suffering of others; a key part of Buddhist ethics
- metta (loving-kindness): a pure love which is selfless and not possessive; a key part of Buddhist ethics
- the Middle Way: the path of moderation, avoiding both indulgence and severe self-denial
- tanha (craving): the ongoing state of desire which causes suffering; grasping at things we enjoy or want
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Buddhists oppose all wealth.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Wealth is neutral, but when tied to taṇhā (craving), lobha (greed), or exploitation, it causes dukkha (suffering). The Middle Way and the Eightfold Path guide Buddhists to use wealth ethically and avoid extremes.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'dukkha (suffering)'
belief that all life includes suffering and unsatisfactoriness; one of the Three Marks of Existence.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Buddhists oppose all wealth. Correction: Buddhism teaches that wealth is neutral and only becomes problematic when it leads to attachment, greed, or exploitation.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Buddhism, human rights and social justice Study Guide
- Case study: Christian Aid Study Guide
- Case study: personal conviction vs the law Study Guide
- Censorship and freedom of religious expression Study Guide
- Christian attitudes to racial prejudice Study Guide
- Christian attitudes to wealth Study Guide
- Christianity, human rights and social justice Study Guide
- Christianity, prejudice and discrimination Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.