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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
The Upanishads were compiled over a long period, mainly the Mahajanapada period.
The increase in trade, led to an improvement in the economic condition of the Vaishyas.
The language of Sanskrit was unacceptable to the masses because it was not a language they
understood.
Jainism opposed the social system of castes that was prevalent at that time.
The Jainists believed that all living things had souls and had to be respected.
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
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.
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.
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.
Gautama Buddha’s first sermon was called the ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’
Karma means the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous births.