Passage Based Questions: Thinkers, Beliefs and buildings | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Rules for Monks and Nuns
These are some of the rules laid down in the Vinaya Pitaka: When a new felt (blanket/rug) has been made by a bhikkhu, it is to be kept for (at least) six years. If after less than six years he should have another new felt (blanket/rug) made, regardless of whether or not he has disposed of the first, then—unless he has been authorized by the bhikkhus—it is to be forfeited and confessed. In case a bhikkhu arriving at a family residence is presented with cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may accept two or three bowlfuls if he desires. If he should accept more than that, it is to be confessed. Having accepted the two or three bowlfuls and having them from there, he has to share them among the bhikkhus. This is the proper course here.

Should any bhikkhu, having set out bedding in an accommodation belonging to the Sangha or having had it set out and then on departing neither put it away nor have it put away or should he go without taking leave, it is to be confessed.

(i) Describe any two rules that govern the lives of the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.
Ans: 
(a) A blanket made by a bhikkhu must be kept for at least six years. If another new felt (blanket/rug) is made before this period is over, and if the bhikkhu has not disposed of the first one, the new one must be forfeited and confessed unless authorized by the bhikkhus.
(b) If a bhikkhu arrives at a family residence and is offered cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may accept up to two or three bowlfuls. Accepting more than this amount is to be confessed. After accepting the permissible amount, he must share it among the bhikkhus.

(ii) Why were the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis expected to share their alms with other members of the sangha?
Ans: 
(a) Sharing their alms was part of the rules of the Buddhist Monastery.
(b) It was based on compassion for fellow beings.

(iii) How does the Vinaya Pitaka describe the teachings of Buddha?
Ans: 
(a) The world is temporary.
(b) The world is full of suffering (Shakha).
(c) Good karma helps escape from rebirth.
(d) Right actions are needed to escape from ego.
(e) To live a simple life.
(f) Not to be selfish.
(g) Be compassionate and generous.
(h) To speak the truth.

Passage - 2

Buddhism in Practice
This is an excerpt from the Sutta Pitaka and it contains the advice given by Buddha to a wealthy householder named Singala:
In five ways should a master look after his servants and employees: by assigning them work according to their strength, by supplying them with food and wages, by tending them in sickness, by sharing delicacies with them, and by granting leave at times. In five ways should the clansmen look after the needs of Samanas (those who have renounced the world) and Brahmanas: by affection in act, speech, and mind; by keeping open house to them; and by supplying their worldly needs. There are similar instructions to Singala about how to behave with his parents, teacher, and wife.

(i) In what ways should a master care for his servants and employees?
Ans: 
(a) By assigning them work according to their strength.
(b) By supplying them with food and wages.
(c) By looking after them during sickness.
(d) By sharing delicacies with them.
(e) By granting leave at times.
(Any other relevant points. Any two points to be examined.)

(ii) How should the clansmen care for the needs of Samanas?
Ans: 
(a) By showing affection in acts, speech, and mind.
(b) By keeping open house to them.
(c) By supplying their worldly needs.
(Any other relevant points. Any two points to be examined.)

(iii) Explain the main aspects of Buddhist philosophy.
Ans: 
(a) The world is transient (annica) and constantly changing.
(b) It is also soulless (anatta).
(c) Nothing is permanent or eternal on it.
(d) Sorrows (Dukkha) are intrinsic to human existence.
(e) Buddha emphasized righteous actions.
(f) By following the path of moderation between severe penances and sheer indulgence, human beings can rise above worldly troubles.
(g) The existence of God was considered irrelevant.
(h) Emphasized individual agency and righteous action to escape from the cycle of rebirth and achieve self-realization and nibbana.
(i) The goal is the extinguishing of the ego and desire to end the cycle of rebirth.
(j) Emphasis was placed on Metta (loving-kindness) and Karuna (compassion).

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

The Therigatha
This unique Buddhist text, part of the Sutta Pitaka, is a collection of verses composed by bhikkhunis. It provides an insight into women’s social and spiritual experiences. Punna, a dasi or slave woman, went to the river each morning to fetch water for her master’s household. There she would daily see a Brahmana performing bathing rituals. One morning she spoke to him. The following are verses composed by Punna, recording her conversation with the Brahmana:

I am a water carrier:
Even in the cold
I have always gone down to the water
Frightened of punishment
Or the angry words of high-class women.

So what are you afraid of, Brahmana,
That makes you go down to the water
(Though) your limbs shake with the bitter cold?

The Brahmana replied:
I am doing good to prevent evil;
Anyone young or old who has done something bad
Is freed by washing in water.

Punna said:
Whoever told you
You are freed from evil by washing in the water?
… In that case, all the frogs and turtles
Would go to heaven, and so would the water snakes and crocodiles!
(Instead) Don’t do that thing, the fear of which leads you to the water.
Stop now, Brahmana!
Save your skin from the cold…

(i) Explain Punna's ideas with two examples.
Ans:  Punna said that washing with water does not rid one of evil. If that were true, then turtles and crocodiles, which live in the water, would be enjoying heaven. Also, one should not perform an action out of fear, such as the Brahmana’s ritualistic bathing.

(ii) What justification did the Brahmana give for his daily dip in the river?
Ans:  The Brahmana said that he takes a daily dip in water to prevent evil. He also advised everyone, regardless of age, to take a holy dip if they had done something evil.

(iii) Explain the core of Buddhist philosophy that is being conveyed through this Gatha.
Ans:  The excerpt provides an insight into women’s social and spiritual experiences.

Passage - 4

Direction: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:

A Prayer to Agni

Here are two verses from the Rigveda invoking Agni, the god of fire:

Bring, O strong one, this sacrifice of ours to the gods,
O wise one, as a liberal giver.
Bestow on us, O priest, abundant food.
Agni, obtain, by sacrificing, mighty wealth for us.
Procure, O Agni, forever to him who prays to you
(the gift of) nourishment, the wonderful cow,
may a son be ours, offspring that continues our line...

Verses such as these were composed in a special kind of Sanskrit, known as Vedic Sanskrit. They were taught orally to men belonging to priestly families.

(i) Why was Vedic Sanskrit significant?
Ans:  Vedic Sanskrit is significant because:
(i) It was used to compose verses from the Vedas.
(ii) It was a special kind of Sanskrit taught to men belonging to priestly families.

(ii) Explain any two Vedic traditions of religious beliefs and practices.
Ans:  Two Vedic traditions of religious beliefs and practices include:
(i) Sacrifices or Yajnas
(ii) Ashvamedha

(iii) Why were sacrifices performed during the Vedic Period?
Ans:  Sacrifices were performed:
(i) To appeal to Gods for abundant food.
(ii) To appeal to Gods for cows.
(iii) To appeal to Gods for abundant wealth.
(iv) To appeal to Gods for nourishment.
(v) To appeal to Gods for sons.
(vi) To appeal to Gods for long life.