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Extra Questions

Jainism and Buddhism


1) Why do you think the Guru was important to his students in ancient India?

The guru was important to his students in ancient India because the Guru was the source of

knowledge to his students. He also taught his students valuable lessons about life.

2) Have you heard about the caste system? Was it a positive or a negative system?

Yes I have heard about the caste system. It was a negative system because people

belonging to the lower castes were discriminated against.

3)When were the Upanishads compiled?

The Upanishads were compiled over a long period, mainly the Mahajanapada period.

4) Why did the economic condition of the Vaishyas improve?

The increase in trade, led to an improvement in the economic condition of the Vaishyas.

5)Why was the language of Sanskrit unacceptable to the masses?

The language of Sanskrit was unacceptable to the masses because it was not a language they

understood.

6)What social system did Jainism oppose?

Jainism opposed the social system of castes that was prevalent at that time.

7)What message did Buddhism spread?

Buddhism spread the message of hope.

8)What did the Jainists believe concerning living things?

The Jainists believed that all living things had souls and had to be respected.

9)How do you think the life of a Buddhist monk would be?

The life of a Buddhist monk would be the life of an Ascetic. It would be devoid of all comforts and would be
dependent on others for basic requirements like food.

10)What were some of the rules that Buddha laid down for the monks?

Buddha laid down rules for the Buddhist monks. They had to abandon the world and live on the charity of
common people. Each morning they had to go begging for alms for their meals. The monks would shave their
heads and wear simple saffron robes.

11)How was the Mahayana sect of Buddhism different from the Hinayana sect?

The Mahayana sect believed that Buddha was an incarnation of God. While the
Hinayana sect looked at Buddha as a teacher. The Mahayana sect introduced many rituals and ceremonies.
The Hinayana sect relied on good deeds and the eight fold path. The Mahayana worshipped images of
Buddha. The Hinayana had no idol worship. But they worshipped Buddha through symbols. The Mahayana
adopted Sanskrit for writing. While the Hinayana used Pali for

preaching their faith instead of Sanskrit.

12) What does the word ‘Therwada’ mean?

The word Therwada means the doctrine of elders.

13) Which countries follow Mahayana Buddhism?

Mahayana Buddhism is followed by China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia.

14)What does right meditation mean in the eight fold path?

Right meditation means working towards training your mind for intense concentration which, in turn, will lead
to salvation.

15)Why do you think that Buddhist monks had to renounce all comforts?

Buddhist monks had to renounce all comforts, as comforts were rooted in desires, and desires according to
Buddha were the source of all problems in life.

16)How do you think the life of a Buddhist monk would be?

The life of a Buddhist monk would be the life of an Ascetic. It would be devoid of all comforts and would be
dependent on others for basic requirements like food.

17)What are the sacred books of Buddhism called?

The sacred books of Buddhism are called Tripitakas.

18)How were the teachings of Buddhism handed down over the centuries?

The teachings of Buddhism were handed down over the centuries from teacher to student.

19)What was Gautama Buddha’s first sermon called?

Gautama Buddha’s first sermon was called the ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’

20)What according to Buddhism was Karma?

Karma means the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous births.

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