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Buddhism: Equality

Buddhist attitudes to equality and the Lotus Sutra

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

The causes and harms of inequality, the dragon king's daughter and Devadatta in chapter 12 of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha and caste in the Sangha, Dr Ambedkar, and equality in Buddhist practice.

What you need to know

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Key term

What do Buddhists teach about the causes of inequality?

Key term

What problems does inequality cause in the world?

Key term

Why do Buddhists believe all people are equal?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What do Buddhists teach about the causes of inequality?

    Model answer

    Buddhists trace inequality to greed, hatred and ignorance. Greed leads the powerful to hoard wealth and opportunity while others go without.

  2. 2

    What problems does inequality cause in the world?

    Model answer

    Inequality causes poverty, poor health and resentment. Resentment can lead to crime and conflict.

  3. 3

    Why do Buddhists believe all people are equal?

    Model answer

    All beings suffer, seek happiness and are subject to kamma and rebirth. Mahayana Buddhists add that every being has Buddha-nature.

  4. 4

    What happens in chapter 12 of the Lotus Sutra?

    Model answer

    The eight-year-old daughter of the dragon king attains Buddhahood in an instant. The monk Sariputra had doubted that a female could become a Buddha.

  5. 5

    What does the dragon king's daughter show about equality?

    Model answer

    The dragon girl shows that age, sex and species are no barrier to enlightenment. Anyone can reach Buddhahood through the teaching of the Lotus Sutra.

  6. 6

    Why do Buddhists interpret the dragon girl's story differently?

    Model answer

    The girl changes into a male body before becoming a Buddha. Some Buddhists see the story as affirming women, while others say it still assumes a male body is needed.

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