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Buddhism: Crime and Punishment

  • 8 subtopics
  • 24 things to know
  • Paper 2
  • Paper 2, Religion, Peace and Conflict, for the religion studied in this area. Two of the three areas are taken, each through a different religion

What Buddhism: Crime and Punishment covers

Buddhism: Crime and Punishment is examined in Paper 2, Area of Study 2: Religion, Peace and Conflict, if Buddhism is the religion studied for that area. It covers Buddhist attitudes to justice, Buddhist attitudes to crime and its causes, Buddhist teaching on good, evil and suffering, Buddhist attitudes to punishment, Buddhism and the aims of punishment, Buddhist teaching on forgiveness and restorative justice, Buddhist teaching on the treatment of criminals and Buddhist attitudes to the death penalty.

Where it is assessed

Paper 2

Area of Study 2, Religion, Peace and Conflict, if this is the religion studied for that area.

Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗

The 8 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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What is the Prison Dharma Network, and who founded it?

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Why do Buddhists believe people suffer, and why do they not face the problem of evil?

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How do Buddhist attitudes to torture compare with a situation ethics view?

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What do Buddhists mean by justice?

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Why do Buddhists accept that punishment may be needed in society?

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Which aim of punishment do most Buddhists favour?

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Why is forgiveness important in Buddhism?

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What is capital punishment, and what is it meant to achieve?

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What does Dhammapada 256 teach about being just?

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What do Buddhists see as the root causes of crime?

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What makes an action good in Buddhism?

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When can punishment be regarded as justice by Buddhists?

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What is the Buddhist attitude to protection as an aim of punishment?

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What does Dhammapada 3 teach about holding grudges?

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How do Buddhists believe criminals should be treated?

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Why do most Buddhists oppose the death penalty?

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What does Dhammapada 257 teach about a just judge?

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What does Dhammapada 160 teach about responsibility?

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How are good actions rewarded in Buddhism?

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What does Dhammapada 201 teach about victory and defeat?

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What is the Buddhist attitude to retribution?

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What does Dhammapada 4 teach about letting go?

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What do Dhammapada 133–134 teach about harsh words?

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What does the Brahmajala Sutta say about the Buddha's own conduct?

Take Buddhism: Crime and Punishment further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

  • Retribution vs Reformation

    Retribution: making an offender suffer in return for the harm done. Reformation: helping an offender change so they no longer commit crime.

  • Deterrence vs Protection

    Deterrence: putting others off crime through fear of the consequences. Protection: keeping society safe by removing dangerous offenders.

  • Justice vs Revenge

    Justice: fair treatment that gives each person what is right. Revenge: harming someone in return, driven by hatred.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What do Buddhists mean by justice?

    Model answer

    For Buddhists, justice means treating people fairly and giving each person what is right. Justice in society reflects the natural fairness of kamma.

  2. 2

    What does Dhammapada 256 teach about being just?

    Model answer

    Dhammapada 256 says a person is not just who judges hastily or by force. A wise person investigates both right and wrong before judging.

  3. 3

    What does Dhammapada 257 teach about a just judge?

    Model answer

    Dhammapada 257 says the just person judges others impartially and according to the truth. The Dhammapada calls that person a guardian of the Dhamma.

  4. 4

    Why is justice important for Buddhists?

    Model answer

    Justice protects people from harm and lets them live in peace. A just society makes it easier for everyone to practise the Dhamma.

  5. 5

    How does kamma relate to human justice?

    Model answer

    Kamma ensures that every intentional action brings a fitting result in time. Buddhists still believe human justice is needed to protect society now.

  6. 6

    Why is justice important for the victim of a crime?

    Model answer

    Justice recognises the harm done to the victim and helps them feel safe again. Buddhists believe victims deserve compassion and practical support.

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Buddhism: Crime and Punishment revision questions

What does Buddhism: Crime and Punishment cover in Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B?
8 subtopics: buddhist attitudes to justice, buddhist attitudes to crime and its causes, buddhist teaching on good, evil and suffering, buddhist attitudes to punishment, buddhism and the aims of punishment, buddhist teaching on forgiveness and restorative justice, buddhist teaching on the treatment of criminals and buddhist attitudes to the death penalty. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
How is Buddhism: Crime and Punishment organised?
By the Edexcel 1RB0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.

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