Cambridge A Level Hinduism 9487 — 2025 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 0

Cambridge International AS & A Level 9487/01 May/June 2025 1 hour 30 minutes HINDUISM Paper 1 Concepts in Hinduism You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet. You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed) INSTRUCTIONS • Answer two questions in total: Section A: answer one question. Section B: answer one question. • Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 60. • The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. [Turn over 06_9487_01_2025_1.7 © UCLES 2025 *1917680410*

Section A Answer EITHER Question 1 OR Question 2. EITHER ‘Dharma was declared by Brahman for the advancement and growth of all creatures. Therefore, that which leads to advancement and growth is righteousness. Righteousness was declared for restraining creatures from injuring one another. Therefore, that is righteousness which prevents injury. Dharma is so called because it upholds all creatures; in fact, all creatures are upheld by righteousness. Therefore, that is righteousness which is capable of upholding all creatures.’ Summarise what the above passage says about the concept of dharma. [5] (a) 1 Explain the role of dharma in shaping society. [10] (b) Evaluate the claim that traditional sthri dharma is no longer relevant to Hindu women in the modern world. [15] (c) [Total: 30] OR Describe how dharma is connected to the other purusharthas. [5] (a) 2 Explain why the concept of varnashramadharma might be considered important for understanding Hinduism. [10] (b) ‘Dharma and rita mean the same.’ Discuss. [15] (c) [Total: 30] 06_9487_01_2025_1.7 © UCLES 2025 2

Section B Answer EITHER Question 3 OR Question 4. EITHER Describe the raja marga. [5] (a) 3 Compare the different demands of the jnana marga with those of the bhakti marga for an individual seeking liberation. [10] (b) Evaluate the view that a Hindu does not need to commit to a single marga to achieve moksha. [15] (c) [Total: 30] OR ‘The wise do not grieve for those who live and they do not grieve for those who die, for life and death shall pass away. Because we have been for all time, you, and I, and all these others. And we shall be for all time, all of us for ever and ever. As the spirit of our mortal body wanders on in childhood, and youth, and old age, so that spirit wanders on to a new body: of that, this sage has no doubts.’ Summarise what the above passage says about samsara. [5] (a) 4 Explain how maya can be understood in both positive and negative ways. [10] (b) ‘All Hindus expect to be liberated at the end of their current lifetime.’ Discuss. [15] (c) [Total: 30] 06_9487_01_2025_1.7 © UCLES 2025 3

BLANK PAGE Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series. Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge. 06_9487_01_2025_1.7 © UCLES 2025 4