Evaluate the influence of Buddhism on samurai culture.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the influence of Buddhism on samurai culture by weighing up its importance or otherwise. Reasons may predate the timeframe and candidates may refer to events that contextualize the development of samurai culture during the Kamakura Shogunate, but they must be clearly linked to the importance and limitations of Buddhism’s influence. Alternately, candidates may choose a thematic approach and evaluate Buddhism’s influence on aspects of samurai culture such as discipline and control, characteristics of a warrior class, literature, ceremonies, mediation and atoning for one’s sins. Both the importance and limitations must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal focus on each. While other, relevant, factors such as political developments, the conflict between samurai clans and external threats may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.