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The arising of a new life after death, conditioned by karma, without an unchanging soul passing between lives.

The continuation of life after death in a new existence, influenced by karma; it does not mean an unchanging soul moves between bodies.

Death is also understood in relation to rebirth: unless liberation has been achieved, death is not the final end of the cycle of existence. Karma—intentional actions and their consequences—influences rebirth. Some ceremonies therefore aim to benefit the deceased as well as comfort the living.

The continuation of life after death in a new existence, influenced by kamma, without an unchanging soul passing between lives.

Explain the significance as well as the action: pouring water symbolises sharing merit, which is believed to help the deceased gain a better rebirth.

Distinguish rebirth from the movement of an unchanging soul: Buddhists teach anatta, meaning no permanent self.

Use ‘rebirth’, rather than describing a permanent soul moving into another body: link this distinction to anatta.

The soul entering a new body after the death of its previous body; also called reincarnation.

The arising of a new life conditioned by previous karma, without a permanent soul passing between bodies; it can also describe change from one moment to the next.

Many Buddhists believe that death is followed by rebirth. However, this does not mean that an unchanging soul leaves one body and enters another. Anatta means ‘no permanent self’: there is no fixed inner essence that remains identical throughout life and then survives death.

The arising of a new life after death, connected with previous lives through karma rather than an unchanging soul.

The belief that death is followed by another life, without a permanent, unchanging soul passing between lives.

The soul’s passage into another life after the physical body dies; also called reincarnation.

Rebirth

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A · 8062

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Revise Religious Studies with GradeGen

Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies · C120