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Q1: Discuss in brief the story of the Buddha.
Ans: When Gautma Buddha was a young man, he left the comforts of his home in search of knowledge. He wandered for several years, meeting and holding discussions with other thinkers (philosophers). He finally decided to find his own path to realization, and meditated for days on end under a peepal free at Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment. After that, he was known as the Buddha or the wise one. After attaining enlightenment Buddha went to Samath, near Varanasi, where he taught for the first time. He spent the rest of his life travelling on foot, going from place to place, teaching people, till he passed away at Kushinara.

Q2: Write important historical events against the following dates:
(i) About 2500 years ago
(ii) About 1500 years ago.
Ans: About 2500 years ago: Upanishadic thinkers, the Jain teacher, Mahavira and the Buddha lived and preached.
About 1500 years ago: Writing down of the Jain texts.

Q3: Write in short the life story of Vardhamana Mahavira.
Ans: Vardhamana Mahavira was a Kshatriya prince of the Lichchhavis, a group that was part of the Vajji Sangha. At the age of thirty, Mahavira left home and went to live in a forest. For twelve years he led a hard and lonely life, at the end of which he attained enlightenment. The teachings of Mahavira and his followers were written down at a place called Valabhi, in Gujarat, about 1500 years ago.

Q4: What is thirst?
Ans: In Buddhism, thirst refers to a person's insatiable desire for a variety of things.

Q5: What gifts did Buddhist monks receive from the people?
Ans: Buddhist monks and nuns received gifts such as food, medication, and clothing.

Q6: What was the difference between Buddha and Mahavira?
Ans: In the form of Buddhism, Buddha introduced a new religion. Jainism, on the other hand, existed before Mahavira. Mahavira simplified and restructured Jainism's practise.

Q7: Explain about Vardhaman Mahavira.
Ans: Vardhaman Mahavira was the Lichchhavis' prince. The Vajji Sangha included the Lichchhavi group. He left his house at the age of thirty and spent the rest of his life in a jungle. He lived a hard and lonely life for twelve years before achieving enlightenment.

Q8: Discuss about Gargi.
Ans: Gargi was one of a small number of brilliant women who contributed to the development of the Upanishads. She was the daughter of the sage Vachaknu, and her love for learning was evident from an early age. She's written a number of hymns in which she contemplates the origins of existence.

Q9: What did Buddha do the rest of his life?
Ans: Buddha travelled by foot to a number of locations. He taught and enlightened people.

Q10: What was the prediction for the Price Siddhartha?
Ans: Prince Siddhartha's destiny was predicted to be either a great king or a great nobleman.

Q11: What did the Upanishadic thinkers want to know?
Ans: Upanishadic thinkers were interested in learning more about the afterlife or life after death. They sought to know why people were willing to make sacrifices. They were searching for the meaning of life. They believed that there must be something in the universe that remains permanent even after death.

Q12: Why did Jainism spread amongst the common people?
Ans: The Sangha drew merchants, labourers, slaves, and others. It was also joined by several other groups such as the Kshatriyas, Brahmins, and courtesans. Jainism spread among the common people as a result of this widespread acceptance, which provided it favourable values and outcomes.

Q13: Explain Atman and Brahman.
Ans: Some thinkers in Buddha's period attempted to comprehend the afterlife. They believed that the soul lives on after death, and they referred to it as the atman, or individual soul, and Brahman, or universal soul. They thought that when a person's body died, the Atman and Brahman merged into one.