New Questions and Ideas

Q38. What were the basic rules of Jainism?

Ans. Followers of Mahavira, who were known as Jainas, had to lead very simple lives, begging for food. They had to be absolutely honest, and were especially asked not to steal. Also, they had to observe celibacy. And men had to give up everything, including their clothes.

Q39. What were the main teachings of Mahavira?

Ans. Main teachings of Mahavira

                         i.        He taught a simple doctrine: men and women who wished to know the truth must leave their homes.

                       ii.        They must follow very strictly the rules of ahimsa, which means not hurting or killing living beings.

Q40. What are the similarities between the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira?

Ans. Similarities

                         i.        Both Buddha and Mahavira taught in the language of the ordinary people, Prakrit, so that everybody could understand their message.

                       ii.        Buddhism and Jainism were against to the vedic religion to large extent.

Q41. Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.

Ans. Ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people:

                        i.        The Buddha taught in the language of the ordinary people, Prakrit, so that everybody could understand his message.

                      ii.        He also encouraged people to think for themselves rather than to simply accept what he said.

Q42. What were the reasons for the less popularity of Jainism?

Ans. Reasons for the less popularity of Jainism were:

                          i.        Men had to give up everything, including their clothes.

                         ii.        It was very difficult for most men and women to follow these strict rules.

                       iii.        Jainism was supported mainly by traders. Farmers, who had to kill insects to protect their crops, found it more difficult to follow the rules.

Q43. What type of people became Upanishadic thinkers?

Ans. Most Upanishadic thinkers were men, especially brahmins and rajas. There were some exceptions, such as Gargi, who was famous for her learning, and participated in debates held in royal courts. One famous exception was Satyakama Jabala, who was named after his mother, the slave woman Jabali. He was accepted as a student by a brahmin teacher named Gautama.

Q44. Write about Sangha as described in Vinaya Pitaka.

Ans. The rules made for the Buddhist sangha were written down in a book called the Vinaya Pitaka. All men could join the sangha. However, children had to take the permission of their parents and slaves that of their masters. Those who worked for the king had to take his permission and debtors that of creditors. Women had to take their husbands’ permission. Men and women who joined the sangha led simple lives.

Q45. Write in brief about the life of Vardhamana Mahavira.

Ans. About Vardhamana Mahavira

                         i.        The most famous thinker of the Jainas was the Vardhamana Mahavira.

                        ii.        He was a kshatriya prince of the Lichchhavis, a group that was part of the Vajji sangha.

                       iii.        At the age of thirty, he left home and went to live in a forest.

                       iv.        For twelve years he led a hard and lonely life, at the end of which he attained enlightenment.

Q46. Write a short note on Gautama Buddha.

Ans. Gautama Buddha

                          i.        Siddhartha, also known as Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born about 2500 years ago.

                         ii.        The Buddha belonged to a small gana known as the Sakya gana, and was a kshatriya.

                       iii.        When he was a young man, he left the comforts of his home in search of knowledge.

                       iv.        He meditated for days on end under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where he attained enlightenment.

Q47. Differentiate between a monastery and an ashrama.

Ans. Difference between a monastery and an ashrama

Q48. Write about the monasteries of Jainas and Buddhists.

Ans. Monasteries of Jainas and Buddhists

                         i.        Supporters of the monks and nuns built temporary shelters for them in gardens, or they lived in natural caves in hilly areas.

                        ii.        As time went on, many supporters of the monks and nuns, and they themselves, felt the need for more permanent shelters and so monasteries were built. These were known as viharas.

                      iii.        Very often, the land on which the vihara was built was donated by a rich merchant or a landowner, or the king.

Q49. Write a short note on the ‘System of Ashramas’.

Ans. Around the time when Jainism and Buddhism were becoming popular, brahmins developed the system of ashramas. Here, the word ashrama does not mean a place where people live and meditate.It is used instead for a stage of life. Four ashramas were recognised: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and samnyasa.

Brahmacharya – During this stage of life, Brahmin, kshatriya and vaishya men were expected to lead simple lives and study the Vedas during the early years of their life.

Grihastha – During this stage, they had to marry and live as householders.

Vanaprastha – During this stage, they had to live in the forest and meditate.

Samnyasa - Finally, they had to give up everything and become samnyasins.

The system of ashramas allowed men to spend some part of their lives in meditation. Generally, women were not allowed to study the Vedas, and they had to follow the ashramas chosen by their husbands.