Notes: New Ideas | Social Studies & Pedagogy Paper 2 for CTET & TET Exams - CTET & State TET PDF Download

In the 6th century BC, various religious movements emerged in opposition to Vedic religion and the supremacy of Brahmins. These movements led to the establishment of religions such as Jainism and Buddhism, founded by Mahavira and Gautama Buddha respectively. Both religions were founded on principles of love, freedom, equality, and ethical values.

Jainism

Jainism is characterized by the following key points:

• The term 'Jaina' originates from 'Jina', meaning 'one who has conquered his senses'. There were twenty-four Tirthankaras in Jainism, with Rishabha Dev being the first.
• Parsva Nath, the 23rd Tirthankara, lived 250 years before Mahavira. His followers were known as Nirgranth. He attained Nirvana near the 'Sammed mountain' at the age of 100.
• Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, was the true founder of Jainism. Born in 540 BC in the village of Kundagrama, Vaishali, Bihar, he renounced his family and became an ascetic at the age of 30. At 42, he attained Kaivalya (supreme knowledge) at Jambhikagram, under a sal tree on the bank of river Rijupalika.
• Following his attainment of supreme knowledge, Mahavira was known by various titles such as Kaivalya, Jina, Nirgrantha, Arihant, and Mahavira. His followers were called Jain, and in Buddhist texts, he is referred to as Nigantha Nataputta.
• Jainism spread in South India, patronized by the Kadamba and Ganga dynasties. Notable followers in North India included Bimbisar, Ajatashatru, Udayin, Nanda, Chandragupta Maurya, and Bindusara.

Philosophy of Jainism

• Jainism rejected the authority of the Vedas and Vedic rituals, believing instead in a universal law governing the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the world, rather than a personal God.
• The religion emphasized karma and the transmigration of the soul, advocating the path of non-violence.

Other Aspects of Jainism

• Anekantavada: Objects of knowledge have infinite characteristics.
• Nayavada: An individual understands an objective of knowledge through a particular point of view.
• Saptabhanginaya: Seven points of view are used to understand an object of knowledge.
• Syadvada: Understanding of an object of knowledge is conditional.

Jaina Councils

• The first Jaina Council was held at Pataliputra under Sthulabahu, around 300 BC.
• The second Jaina Council was held at Vallabhi (Gujarat) in AD 512 and was presided over by Devaradhi Kshamasramana.

Sects of Jainism

• After the death of Mahavira, during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, a severe famine led to a great exodus of Jain monks from the Ganga valley to the Deccan, resulting in a great schism in Jainism.
• Digambaras: Followers of Bhadrabahu who accompanied him to the South, insisting on the retention of the rule of nudity.
• Svetambaras: Led by Sthulabhadra, the leader of the monks who remained in the North and allowed his followers to wear white garments.

Doctrines of Jainism

• Ahimsa (Non-violence): The principle of non-violence towards all living beings.
• Satya (Truthfulness): The principle of speaking the truth in all situations.
• Asteya (Non-stealing): The principle of refraining from stealing or taking what is not freely given.
• Brahmacharya (Celibacy): The principle of maintaining celibacy or chastity.
• Aparigraha (Non-possession of property): The principle of non-possessiveness or non-attachment to material possessions.

Five Vows or Principles

The householder has to observe the following five vows:

1. Non-injury
2. Non-stealing
3. Speaking the truth
4. Non-possession
5. Non-adultery

The first four principles were given by Parshvanath while the 5th one was added by Lord Mahavira.

Three Jewels to Attain Kaivalya

According to Jainism, three ways to attain Kaivalya are:

1. Right knowledge (Samyak Gyan): Understanding of religious principles.
2. Right faith (Samyak Vishwas): Belief in Jainas.
3. Right action (Samyak Karma): Observance of the five vows.

Buddhism

Doctrine of Buddha

• The Doctrine of Karma: Essential part of Buddha's teachings, emphasizing moral life and neither accepting nor rejecting the existence of God.
• Middle Path: Advocating moderation and rejecting the permanence of the soul, while emphasizing non-violence.

Four Noble Truths

1. Sorrow (Dukkha): World is full of sorrow.
2. The cause of sorrow (Dukkha Samudaya): Desire.
3. Cessation of sorrow (Dukkha Nirodha): Possible.
4. The path leading to the cessation of sorrow (Dukkha Nirodhagamini Pratipad): Ashtangika Marga.

Philosophy of Buddhism

• The Doctrine of Karma: Essential part of teachings emphasizing moral life and neither accepting nor rejecting the existence of God.
• Rejection of Vedas: Rejecting Vedic rituals and the caste system.
• Middle Path: Advocating moderation, rejecting permanence of soul, and emphasizing non-violence.

Ashtangika Marga

This is the great middle path, avoiding the extremes of gross luxury and severe austerity. Leads finally to Nirvana, implying not only the extinction of desire but also the attainment of a perfect state of tranquility. Emphasis is laid on the observance of the Silas (moralities), Samadhi (concentration), and Prajan (insight).

Sects of Buddhism

• Hinayana or Lesser Wheel:
  • Believed in original teachings of Buddha.
  • Sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
  • Did not believe in idol-worship.
  • Religion without God, with Nirvana regarded as the extinction of all.
  • Main school: Sthaviravada (Theravada in Pali) or Sarvastivada (Sanskrit counterpart).

Literature of Buddhism

• The Sutta Pitaka: Collection of Buddha’s sermons, divided into five groups (Nikayas) including Digha Nikaya, Majjhim Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, Anguttara Nikaya, and Khuddaka Nikaya.
• The Vinaya Pitaka: Contains rules and regulations of monastic discipline for monks.
• The Abhidhamma Pitaka: Ascribed to Moggaliputta Tissa, contains profound philosophy of Buddha’s teachings, divided into various sections.
• The Jataka: Collection of over 500 poems describing the previous births of Buddha.
• The Buddhavamsa: Contains legends and verses about the 24 Buddhas who preceded Gautama Buddha.
• Milinda Panho: Discussion between Menander and Buddhist Monk Nagasena.
• Ceylonese Chronicle: Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, and Culavamsa.
• Vaipulya Sutras: Includes Sadharma Pundarika.

Buddhist Mudras

• Abhaya Mudra: Represents protection, peace, benevolence, and dispelling of fear.
• Bhumisparsha Mudra: Calls upon the Earth to witness Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
• Dharmachakra Mudra: Represents the moment when Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment in Deer Park in Sarnath.
• Dhyana Mudra: Gesture of meditation and concentration of the good law and the sangha.
• Varada Mudra: Signifies offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion, and sincerity.
• Vajra Mudra: Gesture of knowledge.
• Vitarka Mudra: Gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching.
• Gyana Mudra: Gesture of knowledge, forming a circle with thumb and index finger.
• Karana Mudra: Expels demons and removes obstacles such as sickness or negative thoughts.

Six Parts of Buddhism

The Noble Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga) includes:

1. Right views (Samma-Sankappa)
2. Right aspiration (Samma-Zditthi)
3. Right speech (Samma-Vaka)
4. Right conduct (Samma-Kammanta)
5. Right livelihood (Samma-Ajiva)
6. Right effort (Samma-Vayamma)
7. Right mindfulness (Samma-Sati)
8. Right meditation (Samma-Samadhi)

Three Jewels (Triratnas)

Three Jewels of Buddhism are:

1. Buddha (the enlightened)
2. Dhamma (doctrine)
3. Sangha (order)

Question for Notes: New Ideas

Try yourself:

Which sect of Buddhism sought individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation?

• A.

  Hinayana
• B.

  Mahayana
• C.

  Vajrayana
• D.

  Zen

Explanation

- Hinayana, also known as the Lesser Wheel, is a sect of Buddhism that believed in the original teachings of Buddha.
- It emphasized individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation.
- Unlike other sects, Hinayana did not believe in idol-worship and considered Nirvana as the extinction of all.
- The main schools of Hinayana are Sthaviravada (Theravada) and Sarvastivada.
- Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: Hinayana.

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Sarnath Stupa

The Sarnath stupa, also known as Dhame stupa, is a massive stupa erected by King Ashoka. It is cylindrical in shape with a stone base and brick upper areas. Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at the Dhamekh stupa. It is situated in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, near Varanasi.

Life in the Sangha

• Both Mahavira and Buddha arranged for their followers to stay together in a “Sangha," an association of those who left their homes. There were separate branches for men and women in the Sanghas.
• All men could join the Sangha with permission, while children and women required permission from their parents/masters.
• The rules for the Buddhist Sangha were written down in a book called Vinaya Pitaka.
• Men and women who joined the Sangha led simple lives, meditated, and begged for food in cities and villages during fixed hours.
• They were known as Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis and helped one another while holding meetings to settle quarrels.

Monasteries (Viharas)

• Initially, supporters built temporary shelters for monks and nuns in gardens or natural caves in hilly areas.
• Later, permanent shelters known as Viharas were built, initially made of wood and later of brick.

Panini, the Grammarian

One of the most famous scholars at this time was Panini, who prepared a grammar for Sanskrit (Ashtadhyayi) and arranged vowels and consonants to create formulae.

The System of Ashramas

Brahmins developed the system of the four Ashramas or stages of life to be followed by men, which include:

• Brahmacharya: Lead simple lives and study the Vedas during the early years.
• Grihastha: Marry and live as householders.
• Vanaprastha: Live in the forest and meditate.
• Sanyasa: Give up everything.

The system allowed men to spend part of their lives in meditation, while women generally followed the Ashramas chosen by their husbands.