Great Thinkers and New Faiths Online Test- 6th Social Science Lesson 10 Questions in English

The Sixth Century BC (BCE) is regarded as an important period in the history of ancient India. As a land mark period in the intellectual and spiritual development in India, historian Will Durant has rightly called it the “shower of stars”.

Jainism is one of the world’s oldest living religions. Jainism grounds itself in 24 Tirthankaras. A ‘Tirthankara’, is the one who revealed religious truth at different times.

The first Tirthankara was Rishabha and the last one was Mahavira. Jainism gained prominence under the aegis of Mahavira, during the sixth century BC (BCE).

Vardhamana, meaning ‘prosperous’, was a kshatriya prince. However, at the age of 30, he renounced his princely status to adopt an ascetic life.

After twelve and a half years of rigorous penance, Vardhamana attained omniscience or supreme knowledge, known as Kevala.

Omniscience is the ability to know everything or be infinitely wise. Moksha - Liberation from the cycle of birth and death

Mahavira became Jina meaning ‘one who conquered worldly pleasure and attachment’. His followers are called Jains.

Mahavira reviewed the ancient Sramanic traditions and came up with new doctrines. Therefore, he is believed to be the real founder of Jainism.

Original name - Vardhamana Place of Birth - Kundhagrama near Vaishali, Bihar Parents - Siddharth, Trishala Place of Death - Pavapuri, Bihar

Original name - Vardhamana Place of Birth - Kundhagrama near Vaishali, Bihar Parents - Siddharth, Trishala Place of Death - Pavapuri, Bihar

Jainism denies God as the creator of Universe. Basic philosophy of Jainism is Ahimsa or ‘non –Violence

Ultimate aim of Jainism is attaining moksha or ending the cycle of birth – death – rebirth. Moksha - Liberation from the cycle of birth and death

Mahavira exhorted the three – fold path for the attainment of moksha and for the liberation from Karma. They are: Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right action

Ahimsa - not to injure any living beings, Satya - to speak truth, Asteya - not to steal, Aparigraha - not to own property, Brahmacharya – Celibacy.

Gautama Swami, a chief disciple of Mahavira, compiled the teachings of Mahavira, called Agama sidhantha.

Digambaras are orthodox and conservative followers. Monks of the digambara sect, do not wear any clothing and live naked. They are forbidden to have any kind of possessions.

Digambaras are orthodox and conservative followers. Digambaras believe that women cannot achieve nirvana or liberation directly.

Monks of Svetambaras sect, wear white robes. They are permitted to have Rajoharana (broom with wollen threads), begging bowl and book.

The Svetambaras are considered progressive. Svetambaras believe that women are equally capable of achieving liberation as men.

The following are the main reasons for the wide acceptance of Jainism in India Use of people’s language. „ Intelligible teachings. „ Support from rulers and traders. „ Perseverance of Jain monks

There is a Samanar Hill or Samanar Malai in Keelakuyilkudi village, 15 km away from Madurai. The images of Tirthankaras created by Jain monks are found in the hill. It is a protected monument of Archaeological Survey of India.

In Arittapatti, a small village 25 km from Madurai, on one side of Kalinjamalai hill there are Jain caves called Pandavar Padukkai. Pandavar Padukkai is the bed of Jain saints.

Explanation In ancient Tamil literature, Jainism is referred to as Samanam. There is a reference to Aravor Palli, place of living for Jain monks, in Manimegalai.

According to Silapathikaram, when Kovalan and Kannagi were on their way to Madurai, Gownthiyadigal a female jain monk blessed the couple and accompanied them.

Thiruparthikundram, a village in Kanchipuram, has two ancient Jain temples. This village was once called Jina Kanchi.

Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. His real name was Siddhartha. He was raised by his step mother Gautami.

Like Mahavira, he was also a Kshatriya prince belonging to the ruling Sakya clan. When Siddhartha was only seven days old his mother died.

At the age of 29, Siddhartha saw four sorrowful sights. They were „ An uncared old man in rags with his bent back. „ An sick man suffering from an incurable disease. „ A man’s corpse being carried to the burial ground by weeping relatives. „ An ascetic

Nonetheless deciding that self-mortification was not a path to salvation, Buddha sat under a Pipal tree and undertook a deep meditation near Gaya.

Buddha delivered his first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath, near Benaras. This was called “Dharma Chakra Pravartana” or the Turning of the Wheel of Law.

On the 49th day he finally attained enlightenment. From that moment onwards, he was called Buddha or the Enlightened One. He was also known as Sakya Muni or Sage of Sakya clan.

The teachings of Lord Buddha were simple and taught in a language which people used for communication. Since the teachings addressed the everyday concern of the people, they could relate to them. He was opposed to rituals and sacrifices.

Buddha's teachings are referred to as dhamma. Buddha asserted that attaining nirvana is the ultimate aim of life.

Buddhism accepted the Theory of Karma – meaning that the quality of man’s life depends on his deed. Buddha neither accepted nor denied the existence of God, but believed in the laws of universe.

Buddha laid foundation for a missionary organization called Sangha, meaning ‘association’ for the propagation of his faith.

Chaitya – A Buddhist shrine or a meditation hall. Viharas – Monastries /living quarters for monks. Stupas – Built over the remains of Buddha’s body, they are monuments of great artistic value

Viharas or the Buddhist monasteries became great centres of education. One such centre was Nalanda, where Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, studied for many years. Royal patronage under Ashoka, Kanishka and Harsha also helped the causes of Buddhism.

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

Both Mahavira and Buddha hailed from royal families. Yet they renounced royal privileges and chose to adopt an ascetic life. Opposed blood sacrifices. Believed in the doctrine of Karma. Emphasized on right conduct and right knowledge instead of performing religious ceremonials and rituals as the means to achieve salvation.

Buddhist Councils First – Rajagriha Second – Vaishali Third – Pataliputra Fourth – Kashmir

JAINISM followed extreme path. It remained in India only BUDDHISM followed middle path. It spread across many parts of the world.

Buddhism spread to Tamil Nadu much later than Jainism. Manimekalai, one of the epics of the post-Sangam age is a Buddhist literature.

Hieun Tsang who visited Kanchipuram in the seventh century A.D(CE). noticed the presence of 100 feet stupa built by Ashoka there.

Kanchipuram was a famous Buddhist Centre in Tamil Nadu, from where Dinnaga, the famous Buddhist logician, and Dharmapala, a great scholar of Nalanda University hailed.

The Sixth Century BC (BCE) is regarded as an important period in the history of ancient India. As a land mark period in the intellectual and spiritual development in India, historian Will Durant has rightly called it the “shower of stars”.

Literary sources : Angas – Jain texts ,Tripitakas and Jatakas - Buddhist texts

The Birth of Buddhism and Jainism: The complex rituals and sacrifices advocated in the later Vedic period, Expensive sacrificial ceremonies, Superstitious beliefs and practices, Upanishads taught as alternative to sacrificial rites were too philosophical, Slavery, caste system, gender discrimination also contributed to the new awakening.

The word Jain derives from the Sanskrit word Jina, which means conquering self and the external world.

Gautama Swami, a chief disciple of Mahavira, compiled the teachings of Mahavira, called Agama sidhantha.

Kanchipuram was a famous Buddhist Centre, from where Dinnaga, the famous Buddhist logician, and Dharma Pala, a great scholar of Nalanda University hailed. Hieun Tsang who visited Kanchipuram in the seventh century A.D(CE).

Buddha delivered his first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath, near Benaras. This was called “Dharma Chakra Pravartana” or the Turning of the Wheel of Law.

The Wheel of life – represents the Buddhist view of the world.

Jina Kanchi – Thiruparthikundram a village in Kanchipuram, has two ancient Jain temples. This village was once called Jina Kanchi.

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

Hinayana : Did not worship idols or images of Buddha. Practiced austerity. Believed that Salvation of the individual as its goal. Used Prakrit language. Hinayana is also known as Theravada. Mahayana : Worshiped images of Buddha. Observed elaborate rituals, Believed that salvation of all beings as its objective. Used Sanskrit language. Spread to Central Asia, Ceylon, Burma, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, where middle path was accepted.