History ch-Jainism and Buddhism (Extra Question)
History- Ch Jainism and Buddhism
(Extra Questions)
1. What is the meaning of the term Upanishad?
The term Upanishad means sitting down near, this implies students sitting down near their Guru to learn the big secret.
2. When were the Upanishads compiled?
The Upanishads were compiled over a long period, mainly the Mahajanapada period.
3. Why did the economic condition of the Vaishyas improve?
The increase in trade, led to an improvement in the economic condition of the Vaishyas.
4. Why was the language of Sanskrit unacceptable to the masses?
The language of Sanskrit was unacceptable to the masses because it was not a language they understood.
5.Why do you think that the Upanishads contributed much to the understanding of life?
The philosophers who composed the Upanishads pondered upon the various ambiguities of life and its creation. The Upanishads opened up the intriguing account of creation, life, the essence of life through episodes, commentaries, stories, traditions and dialogues. Thus the Upanishads contributed much to the understanding of life.
6.Why do you think that the rituals prescribed by the Brahmins were unacceptable to common people?
The rituals prescribed by the Brahmins were unacceptable to common people because they were costly and elaborate.
7. Who is a Tirthankara?
A Tirthankara is an enlightened soul who is born as a human being and attains perfection through intense meditation.
8.Who is the founder of Jainism?
Rishabhadev was the founder of Jainism.
10. What does the teaching of Ahimsa mean?
The teaching of Ahimsa means not to injure any living being.
11. How do Jains obtain liberation from worldly bonds?
The Jains believe that liberation from worldly bonds can be obtained by following Triratnas or the three jewels of Jainism.
12. Why do Jain monks wear a cloth while talking?
Jain monks wear a cloth while talking so that they do not kill any organism in the process.
13. Who provides Jain monks with food?
Various householders provide Jain monks with food.
14. Who compiled Lord Mahavira’s teachings?
Lord Mahavira’s teachings were compiled by his immediate disciples known as Gandharas.
15. In which language were the Jain sacred books written?
The Jain sacred books were written in Prakrit.
16. What did the Digambaras believe concerning the food of saints?
The Digambaras believed that a saint needs no food and he can sustain life without eating.
17. What did the Shvetambaras believe concerning the attainment of liberation by women?
The Shvetambaras believed that women could achieve liberation.
18. Who spread Jainism in Karnataka?
Jainism was spread in Karnataka by Chandragupta Maurya.
19. Why did few people follow Jainism?
Very few people followed Jainism as it did not condemn the caste system.
20. Why did farmers find it difficult to follow Jainism?
Farmers found it difficult to follow the rules laid by Jainism, because they had to kill insects to protect their crops.
21. Why did Jainism first reach South and West India?
Jainism first reached South and West India where Brahmanism was not strong.
22. What were Mahavira’s teachings concerning birth in a high or low caste?
Mahavira believed that a person was born either into a high or low caste based on the virtues he acquired in his previous birth.
23. What are the sacred books of Buddhism called?
The sacred books of Buddhism are called Tripitakas.
24. How were the teachings of Buddhism handed down over the centuries?
The teachings of Buddhism were handed down over the centuries from teacher to student.
25. What was Gautama Buddha’s first sermon called?
Gautama Buddha’s first sermon was called the ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’.
26. What according to Buddhism was Karma?
Karma means the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous births.
27. What were a Buddhist monasteries called as?
Buddhist monasteries were called as Sangha.
28. How would a Buddhist monk meet his basic needs like food?
A Buddhist monk had to abandon the world and live on the charity of common people. Each morning the monk would have to go begging for alms for their meals.
29. What were some of the rules that Buddha laid down for the monks?
Buddha laid down rules for the Buddhist monks. They had to abandon the world and live on the charity of common people. Each morning they had to go begging for alms for their meals. The monks would shave their heads and wear simple saffron robes.
30. Why do Buddhist monks had to renounce all comforts?
Buddhist monks had to renounce all comforts, as comforts were rooted in desires, and desires according to Buddha were the source of all problems in life.
31. What language did the Mahayana sect of Buddhism use?
The Mahayana sect of Buddhism used Sanskrit as a language for writing.
32. What teachings of Buddhism did the Hinayana sect of Buddhism rely on?
The Hinayana sect of Buddhism relied on good deeds and a holy life based on the eight fold path.
33. Why did Buddhism spread?
Buddhism spread because of two reasons, the support of common people and state patronage.
34. Which king incorporated the principles of Buddhism in his ruling practices?
Ashoka incorporated the principles of Buddhism in his ruling practices.
35. How was the Mahayana sect of Buddhism different from the Hinayana sect?
39. Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.
Buddha followed two methods to spread his message to a wider section of people. He used prakrit to spread his message. Since prakrit was the language of the common people hence it helped in making a better connect with the masses. Buddha also encouraged people to think proactively, instead of blindly following him. This helped people to understand everything in a better way.
(Extra Questions)
1. What is the meaning of the term Upanishad?
The term Upanishad means sitting down near, this implies students sitting down near their Guru to learn the big secret.
2. When were the Upanishads compiled?
The Upanishads were compiled over a long period, mainly the Mahajanapada period.
3. Why did the economic condition of the Vaishyas improve?
The increase in trade, led to an improvement in the economic condition of the Vaishyas.
4. Why was the language of Sanskrit unacceptable to the masses?
The language of Sanskrit was unacceptable to the masses because it was not a language they understood.
5.Why do you think that the Upanishads contributed much to the understanding of life?
The philosophers who composed the Upanishads pondered upon the various ambiguities of life and its creation. The Upanishads opened up the intriguing account of creation, life, the essence of life through episodes, commentaries, stories, traditions and dialogues. Thus the Upanishads contributed much to the understanding of life.
6.Why do you think that the rituals prescribed by the Brahmins were unacceptable to common people?
The rituals prescribed by the Brahmins were unacceptable to common people because they were costly and elaborate.
7. Who is a Tirthankara?
A Tirthankara is an enlightened soul who is born as a human being and attains perfection through intense meditation.
8.Who is the founder of Jainism?
Rishabhadev was the founder of Jainism.
10. What does the teaching of Ahimsa mean?
The teaching of Ahimsa means not to injure any living being.
11. How do Jains obtain liberation from worldly bonds?
The Jains believe that liberation from worldly bonds can be obtained by following Triratnas or the three jewels of Jainism.
12. Why do Jain monks wear a cloth while talking?
Jain monks wear a cloth while talking so that they do not kill any organism in the process.
13. Who provides Jain monks with food?
Various householders provide Jain monks with food.
14. Who compiled Lord Mahavira’s teachings?
Lord Mahavira’s teachings were compiled by his immediate disciples known as Gandharas.
15. In which language were the Jain sacred books written?
The Jain sacred books were written in Prakrit.
16. What did the Digambaras believe concerning the food of saints?
The Digambaras believed that a saint needs no food and he can sustain life without eating.
17. What did the Shvetambaras believe concerning the attainment of liberation by women?
The Shvetambaras believed that women could achieve liberation.
18. Who spread Jainism in Karnataka?
Jainism was spread in Karnataka by Chandragupta Maurya.
19. Why did few people follow Jainism?
Very few people followed Jainism as it did not condemn the caste system.
20. Why did farmers find it difficult to follow Jainism?
Farmers found it difficult to follow the rules laid by Jainism, because they had to kill insects to protect their crops.
21. Why did Jainism first reach South and West India?
Jainism first reached South and West India where Brahmanism was not strong.
22. What were Mahavira’s teachings concerning birth in a high or low caste?
Mahavira believed that a person was born either into a high or low caste based on the virtues he acquired in his previous birth.
23. What are the sacred books of Buddhism called?
The sacred books of Buddhism are called Tripitakas.
24. How were the teachings of Buddhism handed down over the centuries?
The teachings of Buddhism were handed down over the centuries from teacher to student.
25. What was Gautama Buddha’s first sermon called?
Gautama Buddha’s first sermon was called the ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’.
26. What according to Buddhism was Karma?
Karma means the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous births.
27. What were a Buddhist monasteries called as?
Buddhist monasteries were called as Sangha.
28. How would a Buddhist monk meet his basic needs like food?
A Buddhist monk had to abandon the world and live on the charity of common people. Each morning the monk would have to go begging for alms for their meals.
29. What were some of the rules that Buddha laid down for the monks?
Buddha laid down rules for the Buddhist monks. They had to abandon the world and live on the charity of common people. Each morning they had to go begging for alms for their meals. The monks would shave their heads and wear simple saffron robes.
30. Why do Buddhist monks had to renounce all comforts?
Buddhist monks had to renounce all comforts, as comforts were rooted in desires, and desires according to Buddha were the source of all problems in life.
31. What language did the Mahayana sect of Buddhism use?
The Mahayana sect of Buddhism used Sanskrit as a language for writing.
32. What teachings of Buddhism did the Hinayana sect of Buddhism rely on?
The Hinayana sect of Buddhism relied on good deeds and a holy life based on the eight fold path.
33. Why did Buddhism spread?
Buddhism spread because of two reasons, the support of common people and state patronage.
34. Which king incorporated the principles of Buddhism in his ruling practices?
Ashoka incorporated the principles of Buddhism in his ruling practices.
35. How was the Mahayana sect of Buddhism different from the Hinayana sect?
- The Mahayana sect believed that Buddha was an incarnation of God. While the Hinayana sect looked at Buddha as a teacher.
- The Mahayana sect introduced many rituals and ceremonies. The Hinayana sect relied on good deeds and the eight fold path.
- The Mahayana worshipped images of Buddha. The Hinayana had no idol worship. But they worshipped Buddha through symbols.
- The Mahayana adopted Sanskrit for writing. While the Hinayana used Pali for preaching their faith instead of Sanskrit.
36. Name a few countries where Buddhism spread?
Buddhism spread to countries
such as Myanmar, Nepal , Tibet , Central Asia and Japan.
37. What does the word Upanishad mean in Sanskrit?
In Sanskrit the word ‘upa’
means near, ‘ni’ means down and ‘sad’ means to sit.
38. What does right meditation mean in the eight fold path?
Right meditation means
working towards training your mind for intense concentration which, in turn,
will lead to salvation.
39. Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.
Buddha followed two methods to spread his message to a wider section of people. He used prakrit to spread his message. Since prakrit was the language of the common people hence it helped in making a better connect with the masses. Buddha also encouraged people to think proactively, instead of blindly following him. This helped people to understand everything in a better way.
