Great Thinkers and New Faiths

1. Which centuary is regarded as an important period in the

history of ancient India?
The Sixth Century BC (BCE)

2. As a land mark period in the intellectual and spiritual

development in India, historian Will Durant has rightly called the
Sixth Century BC (BCE)
the “shower of stars”.

3. Jain texts
Angas

4. Buddhist texts
Tripitakas and Jatakas

5. One of the world’s oldest living religions.

Jainism
6. Jainism grounds itself in
24 Tirthankaras.

7. One who revealed religious truth at different times.

‘Tirthankara’

8. The first Tirthankara was

Rishabha

9. The last one was

Mahavira.

10. During the sixth century BC (BCE), Jainism gained

prominence under the aegis of
Mahavira
11. The word Jain derives from the Sanskrit word
Jina

12. Jina means

conquering self and the external world.

13.Vardhamana, meaning
‘prosperous’

14. Vardhamana was a

kshatriya prince.

15. Vardhamana renounced his princely status to adopt an

ascetic life.
at the age of 30
16. After twelve and a half years of rigorous penance,
Vardhamana attained omniscience or supreme knowledge,
known as
Kevala.

17. The ability to know everything or be infinitely wise.

Omniscience

18. Who is believed to be the real founder of Jainism?

Mahavira

19. Jainism denies God as

the creator of Universe.

20. Basic philosophy of Jainism is

Ahimsa or ‘non –Violence’.
21. Ultimate aim of Jainism is
attaining moksha or ending the cycle of birth – death – rebirth.

22. Jains reject the belief in

Last judgement, where God, a supreme being, decides who goes to
heaven or hell.

23. Jainism advocates that the goodness or quality of one’s life is

determined by
one’s karma.

24. The belief that a person’s actions in this life determine the quality of
his or her later part of the current life and the next incarnation.
Karma

25. For the attainment of moksha and for the liberation from Karma,
Mahavira exhorted
the three – fold path
26. Tri–rathnas or Three Jewels Mahavira
Right Faith ,Right Knowledge , Right action

27. Liberation from the cycle of birth and death

Moksha

28. Mahavira preached Ahimsa –

not to injure any living beings

29. Mahavira preached Satya

to speak truth

30. Mahavira preached Asteya

not to steal
31. Mahavira preached Aparigraha
not to own property

32. Mahavira preached Brahmacharya

Celibacy

33. A chief disciple of Mahavira, compiled the teachings of

Mahavira, called Agama sidhantha.
Gautama Swami

34. Two sections of Jainism

Digambaras and Svetambaras

35. orthodox and conservative followers.

Digambaras
36. Do not wear any clothing and live naked.
Monks of the digambara sect

37. Who are forbidden to have any kind of possessions?

Monks of the digambara sect

38. Who believe that women cannot achieve nirvana or

liberation directl?
Digambaras

39. Monks of Svetambaras sect, wear

white robes.

40. Who are permitted to have Rajoharana (broom with wollen

threads), begging bowl and book.
Svetambaras
41.Who believe that women are equally capable of achieving liberation as men?
Svetambaras

42. In ancient Tamil literature, Jainism is referred to as

Samanam.

43.Where is a Samanar Hill or Samanar Malai

in Keelakuyilkudi village, 15 km away from Madurai.

44. The images of Tirthankaras created by Jain monks are found in the hill.
Samanar Hill or Samanar Malai

45. In Arittapatti, a small village 25 km from Madurai, on one side of Kalinjamalai

hill there are Jain caves called
Pandavar Padukkai.

46. The bed of Jain saints.

Pandavar Padukkai
47. There is a reference to Aravor Palli, place of living for Jain
monks in
Manimegalai.

48. According to Silapathikaram, when Kovalan and Kannagi were

on their way to Madurai, a female jain monk blessed the couple
and accompanied them.
Gownthiyadigal

49. Jain monasteries in Tamil Nadu

Puhar, Uraiyur, Madurai, Vanchi (Karuvur), Kanchi

50.A village in Kanchipuram, has two ancient Jain temples.

Thiruparthikundram

51. Thiruparthikundram village was once called

Jina Kanchi.
52. The founder of Buddhism.
Gautama Buddha

53. Gautama Buddha’s real name was

Siddhartha.

54. Like Mahavira, Gautama Buddha was also a Kshatriya prince

belonging to the ruling
Sakya clan.

55. Gautama Buddha was raised by his step mother

Gautami.

56. Gautama Buddha’s Place of Birth

Lumbini Garden, Nepal
57. Gautama Buddha’s Parents
Suddhodana, Maya devi

58. Gautama Buddha’s Place of Death

Kushi Nagar, UP

59. Buddha means

the Awakened or Enlightened One

60. Buddha sat under a Pipal tree and undertook a deep

meditation near
Gaya.

61. Buddha finally attained enlightenment.

On the 49th day
62. Buddha was also known as
Sakya Muni or Sage of Sakya clan.

63. Buddha delivered his first sermon at

Deer Park in Sarnath, near Benaras.

64. Buddha delivered his first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath,

near Benaras was called
“Dharma Chakra Pravartana” or the Turning of the Wheel of Law.

65. Buddha's teachings are referred to as

dhamma.

66. Buddhism accepted

the Theory of Karma – meaning that the quality of man’s life
depends on his deed
67. Buddha asserted that attaining nirvana is
the ultimate aim of life.

68. Buddha advocated

ahimsa or non-violence.

69. ------represents the Buddhist view of the world.

The Wheel of life

70. Buddha laid foundation for a missionary organization for

the propagation of his faith.
Sangha, meaning ‘association’

71. The members were called

bhikshus (monks).
72. A Buddhist shrine or a meditation hall.
Chaitya

73. Monastries/living quarters for monks.

Viharas

74. Built over the remains of Buddha’s body, they are monuments of great artistic
value.
Stupas

75. Did not worship idols or images of Buddha.

Hinayana

76. Practiced austerity.

Hinayana
77. Believed that Salvation of the individual as its goal.
Hinayana

78. Used Prakrit language.

Hinayana

79. Hinayana is also known as

Theravada.

80. Worshiped images of Buddha.

Mahayana

81.Observed elaborate rituals

Mahayana
82. Believed that salvation of all beings as its objective
Mahayana

83. Used Sanskrit language

Mahayana
84. Spread to Central Asia, Ceylon, Burma, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, where middle
path was accepted.
Mahayana

85.Buddha’s emphasis was on observance of

Dhamma.

86. --------played an important role in spreading the messages of Buddha.

Buddhist Sanghas
87. Royal patronage helped the causes of Buddhism.
Ashoka, Kanishka and Harsha

88. Great centres of education.

Viharas or the Buddhist monasteries

89. Great centres of education, where Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, studied for many
years.
Nalanda

90. Frescoes on the ceilings and walls of the Ajanta caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
depict
the Jataka Tales

91. Neither indulging in extreme attachment to worldly pleasure nor committing severe
penance.
Middle path
92. The First Buddhist Council
Rajagriha
93. The SecondBuddhist Council
Vaishali
94. The ThirdBuddhist Council
Pataliputra
95. The FourthBuddhist Council
Kashmir
96. The Jatakas are popular stories about
the previous birth and life of Buddha, as human and as an animal
I Choose the correct answer:
1. What is the name of the Buddhist scripture?
a)Angas
b)Tripitakas
c)Tirukkural
d)Naladiyar

2. Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?

e)Rishabha
f) Parsava
g)Vardhamana
h)Buddha

3. How many Tirthankaras were there in Jainism?

i) 23
j) 24
k)25
l) 26
4. Where was the third Buddhist Council convened?
a.Rajagriha
b.Vaishali
c. Pataliputra
d.Kashmir

5. Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?

a)Lumbini
b)Saranath
c)Taxila
d)Bodh Gaya
II Match the Statement with the Reason. Tick the appropriate
answer:
1. Statement: A common man could not understand upanishads.
Reason: Upanishads were highly philosophical.
a. Statement and its Reason are correct.
b. Statement is wrong.
c. Statement is true, but the Reason for that is wrong.
d. Both Statement and Reason are wrong.

2. Statement: The Jatakas are popular tales.

Reason: Frescoes on the ceilings and walls of Ajanta caves depict
the Jataka Tales.
a. Statement and its Reason are correct.
b. Statement is wrong.
c. Statement is true, but the Reason for that is wrong.
d. Both statement and Reason are wrong.
3. Find out the correct answer:
Buddha Viharas are used for
1. Education
2. stay of Buddhist monks
3. Pilgrims’ stay
4. Prayer hall
a. 2 is correct
b. 1 and 3 are correct
c. 1, 2, 4 are correct
d. 1 and 4 are correct
4. Consider the following statements regarding the causes of the
origin of Jainism and Buddhism
I. Sacrificial ceremonies were expensive.
II. Supertitious beliefs and practices confused the common man.
Which of the above statement (s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. Only II
c. Both I & II
d. Neither I nor II
5. Which of the following about Jainism is correct?
a. Jainism denies God as the creator of universe.
b. Jainism accepts God as the creator of universe.
c. The basic philosophy of Jainism is idol worship.
d. Jains accept the belief in Last Judgement.

6. Circle the odd one:

Parsava, Mahavira, Buddha, Rishaba
7. Find out the wrong pair:
a. Ahimsa - not to injure
b. Satya - to speak truth
c. Asteya - not to steal
d. Brahmacharya - married status

8. All the following statements are true of Siddhartha Gautama

except:
a. He is the founder of Hinduism.
b. He was born in Nepal.
c. He attained Nirvana.
d. He was known as Sakyamuni.
III Fill in the blanks:
1. The doctrine of Mahavira is called _____________.
2. _____________ is a state of freedom from suffering and rebirth.
3. _____________ was the founder of Buddhism.
4. Thiruparthikundram, a village in Kanchipuram was once called_________..
5. _____________ were built over the remains of Buddha’s body.

IV True or False:
1. Buddha believed in Karma.
2. Buddha had faith in caste system.
3. Gautama Swami compiled the teachings of Mahavira.
4. Viharas are temples.
5. Emperor Ashoka followed Buddhism.
V Match the following:
1. Angas - Vardhamana
2. Mahavira - monks
3. Buddha - Buddhist shrine
4. Chaitya - Sakya muni
5. Bhikshus - Jain text

VI Answer in one or two sentences:

1. What are the Tri-ratnas (three jewels) of Jainism?
2. What are the two sects of Buddhism?
3. What does Jina mean?
4. Write any two common features of Buddhism and Jainism.
5. Write a note on Buddhist Sangha.
6. Name the Chinese traveler who visited Kancheepuram in seventh
century AD(CE).
7. Name the female jain monk mentioned in Silapathikaram.