National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies SQA

This subject is broken down into 78 topics in 8 modules:

  1. Buddhism 11 topics
  2. Christianity 10 topics
  3. Hinduism 12 topics
  4. Islam 12 topics
  5. Judaism 11 topics
  6. Morality and Belief 5 topics
  7. Religious and Philosophical Questions 4 topics
  8. Sikhism 13 topics
Study this subject in the Adapt App →
  • 8
    modules
  • 78
    topics
  • 28,117
    words of revision content
  • 3+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

A preview of National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies SQA in the Adapt app

Adapt is a revision planning app with full content coverage and unlimited past paper questions for 1,200+ GCSE and A Level subjects.

Study this subject in the Adapt app →

Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

Buddhism

Three Marks of Existence

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Three Marks of Existence

Three Marks of Existence

Buddhist teachings emphasize the Three Marks of Existence - 'Anicca,' 'Dukkha,' and 'Anatta.' These concepts equip an individual with an understanding of the nature of existence and how to navigate the human condition.

Anicca - Impermanence

  • Anicca translates to 'impermanence' in Pali, an ancient Indian language.

  • Everything in the physical and mental realms is subject to change and does not last forever, affirming the concept of impermanence.

  • Change and impermanence are natural parts of existence symbolising birth, growth, decay, and death.

  • Understanding Anicca helps Buddhists develop detachment from material possessions, relationships, and their own physical bodies.

Dukkha - Suffering

  • The word Dukkha represents all forms of unsatisfactoriness and suffering.

  • Buddhism teaches that suffering is an inevitable aspect of life, derived from our inability to see the truth of Anicca and Anatta.

  • Craving, desire, attachment, and ignorance are seen as the main causes of Dukkha.

  • The way to end Dukkha is by following the Noble Eightfold Path, which is the way to enlightenment according to Buddhism.

Anatta - No Permanent Self

  • The term Anatta indicates 'no-self' or 'no soul,' meaning there is no permanent, unchanging self or essence.

  • It refutes the idea of 'Atman' or eternal soul as proposed in Hinduism.

  • Buddhism proposes that what we perceive as 'self' is a series of interconnected phenomena or experiences (Five Aggregates), which are constantly changing.

  • By understanding Anatta, Buddhists strive to eliminate ego and self-centeredness, which contributes to suffering.

The Interconnection of the Three Marks of Existence

  • Anicca, Dukkha, and Anatta are interconnected; understanding one mark can contribute to understanding the other two.

  • An understanding of Anicca often leads to an understanding of Dukkha, as it shows why attachment results in suffering.

  • Similarly, comprehending Dukkha can help understand Anatta as it shows why the concept of a permanent self is problematic.

  • By understating these three marks, individuals can live more mindfully, with empathy, compassion, and wisdom thereby reducing suffering and striving for enlightenment.

Course material for Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies, module Buddhism, topic Three Marks of Existence

Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

Islam

Revelation of the Qur'an

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Revelation of the Qur'an

Revelation of the Qur'an

  • The Qur'an is the holy scripture of Islam and is considered to be the actual word of Allah.
  • It is believed to have been revealed to Prophet Muhammad via the Archangel Gabriel (Jibril) over a period of 23 years.
  • These revelations began during the month of Ramadan in a process known as 'Laylat ul-Qadr' or 'The Night of Power'.

Composition and Structure

  • The Qur'an consists of 114 chapters, referred to as 'Surahs', each of which varies in length and is further divided into verses named 'Ayahs'.
  • Surahs were revealed according to the events and circumstances in the life of Muhammad and the early Muslim community.
  • The order of Surahs in the Qur'an is not chronological but organised broadly from longest to shortest, following the overall instruction provided by Prophet Muhammad.

Themes of the Qur'an

  • The Qur'an covers various themes including instructions for moral conduct, guidelines for social reform, laws and codes, and stories of past prophets.
  • The central theme of the Qur'an is Tawhid or the 'oneness of God', emphasising monotheism at the core of Islamic belief.
  • It reaffirms the concept of Akhirah or life after death and the importance of leading a righteous life under the guidance of Islamic principles.

Significance of the Qur'an

  • For Muslims, the Qur'an is the ultimate source of divine guidance, containing solutions for all problems mankind might face.
  • It holds a central role in Muslim worship; recitation of the Qur'an is a significant part of Islamic prayer rituals.
  • The teachings of the Qur'an also influence the ethical, social, legal and spiritual aspects of a Muslim's life.
  • Qur'an is often learnt by heart in a process known as Hifz, which is highly respected in the Muslim community, and serves to preserve the words and teachings of the Qur'an for generations.

Course material for Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies, module Islam, topic Revelation of the Qur'an

Can I trust Adapt’s expertise?

Adapt is already used by over 600,000 students and trusted by over 3,000 schools. Our exam-specific content and assessments are meticulously crafted by expert teachers and examiners.

Find out more about the Adapt app →

Planner

An always up-to-date revision timetable.

A personalised, flexible revision timetable that stays up-to-date automatically.

Content

All the exam resources, in one place.

Over 20,000 topics broken down into manageable lessons with teacher-written, exam-specific lessons.

Assessment

Past-paper questions, with instant feedback.

Unlimited past paper questions with instant examiner feedback on how to improve.

Progress

Track progress, together.

Progress tracking to stay motivated, with real-time updates to the Parent Portal.

Download the app today to start revising for free.