Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q1: Who is the founder of Buddhism?
Ans: Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha.
Q2: What does "ahimsa" mean in the context of Mahavira's teachings?
Ans: "Ahimsa" means non-violence or not hurting or killing living beings.
Q3: What language did the Buddha use to convey his teachings to the common people?
Ans: The Buddha used the Prakrit language.
Q4: What are the four recognized ashramas or stages of life?
Ans: The four ashramas are brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha, and samnyasa.
Q5: What is the name of the text that contains the rules for Buddhist monks and nuns?
Ans: The rules for Buddhist monks and nuns are written in the "Vinaya Pitaka."
Q6: What is the meaning of "tanha" in Buddha's teachings?
Ans: "Tanha" refers to cravings and desires that lead to suffering.
Q7: Who were the followers of Mahavira known as?
Ans: The followers of Mahavira were known as "Jainas."
Q8: What is the significance of the Bodhi tree in Buddha's life?
Ans: Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
Q9: Who is considered the founder of Jainism?
Ans: Vardhamana Mahavira is considered the founder of Jainism.
Q10: What is the primary reason for the construction of viharas?
Ans: Viharas were constructed to serve as permanent shelters for monks and nuns.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q11: How did Buddha spread his message to the common people?
Ans: Buddha spread his message by conveying his teachings in the Prakrit language, encouraging followers to think for themselves, and by traveling to various places to teach.
Q12: Explain the main teachings of Mahavira.
Ans: Mahavira's main teachings include the importance of leaving home to seek truth, strict adherence to Ahimsa (non-violence), and the belief that all living beings value life.
Q13: What are the four ashramas in the stages of life, and how did they impact individuals?
Ans: The four ashramas are brahmacharya (student life), grihastha (householder life), vanaprastha (retirement life), and samnyasa (renunciation life). They allowed individuals to dedicate specific periods of their lives to spiritual growth, self-reflection, and meditation.
Q14: What role did viharas play in the lives of Buddhist monks and nuns?
Ans: Viharas served as permanent shelters for monks and nuns, providing them with a place to stay, meditate, and teach. They were supported by donations from local communities.
Q15: What is the significance of the Bodhi tree in Buddhism?
Ans: The Bodhi tree is where Buddha attained enlightenment, marking a pivotal moment in his life and the birth of Buddhism.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q16: Describe the life story of Gautama Buddha, including his early life, enlightenment, and teachings.
Ans: Gautama Buddha, born as Siddhartha Gautama, left his royal life to seek answers to the suffering and unhappiness in the world. After years of wandering and meditation, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. He then dedicated his life to teaching others. His teachings revolved around the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of reducing desires to alleviate suffering.
Q17: Explain the concept of "ahimsa" in Jainism and its significance in Mahavira's teachings.
Ans: "Ahimsa" in Jainism means non-violence and not harming or killing living beings. Mahavira emphasized strict adherence to ahimsa as a central tenet of his teachings. He believed that all beings value life, and practicing ahimsa was essential to attain spiritual enlightenment. Jainas led simple lives, even giving up clothing, to avoid harming any living beings.
Q18: Compare and contrast the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira.
Ans: Both Buddha and Mahavira emphasized the importance of leaving home to seek truth and practiced non-violence. However, there are differences in their teachings. Buddha focused on the Middle Path, the Eightfold Path, and reducing desires, while Mahavira's teachings were centered around strict ahimsa and renunciation. Buddha's teachings were in Prakrit for the common people, while Mahavira also used Prakrit but had a stricter approach to asceticism.
Q19: Explain the role and significance of the ashramas (stages of life) in ancient Indian society.
Ans: The ashramas were distinct stages of life that allowed individuals to dedicate specific periods to spiritual growth and self-reflection. Brahmacharya (student life) involved studying the Vedas, grihastha (householder life) focused on family and responsibilities, vanaprastha (retirement life) allowed for retreat and meditation, and samnyasa (renunciation life) was a complete dedication to spirituality. These stages provided a structured path for individuals to find inner peace and spiritual growth.
Q20: Explain the concept of Mahayana Buddhism and its influence on Buddhist practice and beliefs.
Ans: Mahayana Buddhism introduced Bodhisattvas and emphasized helping others. It gained popularity in Central Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, leading to the worship of Bodhisattvas and the creation of sculptures depicting the Buddha's life and teachings.
