Jainism & Buddhism

Question 1

Name the first, 23rd and 24th tirthankaras of Jainism

Answer 1

Rishabhdev, born in Ayodhya; parsavnath, born in Varanasi; vardhamana mahavira

Question 2

Where was Mahavira born? What was his father and mother’s name?

Answer 2

Born in Kundagrama near Vaishali, north Bihar. Father-head of Kshatriya clan Jnatrika, called Siddhartha. Mother-Trishala.

Question 3

Where did Mahavira pass away?

Answer 3

At age 72 in 468 BCE (debatable), he passed away at Pavapuri (near Rajgir).

Question 4

Describe two sects of Jainism

Answer 4

Shvaitambaras: white dress clad (Magadha branch); Digambaras: those who keep themselves naked (southern branch)

Question 5

What are the three jewels/triratna of Jainism?

Answer 5

Right knowledge, right faith and right action

Question 6

What are basadis

Answer 6

Jaina monastic establishments

Question 7

What language did early jainas adopt?

Answer 7

Prakrit and they discarded Sanskrit. Religious literature was written in ardhamagadhi.

Question 8

Where was religious literature of jainas compiled?

Answer 8

Vallabhi in gujarat.

Question 9

Where was Gautama Buddha born?

Answer 9

He was born to Shakya kashatriya family in Lumbini (Nepal, near kapilavastu).

Question 10

Where did Gautama Buddha attain knowledge?

Answer 10

At Bodh Gaya, at the age of 35.

Question 11

Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon?

Answer 11

Sarnath, in Benaras.

Question 12

Where did Gautama Buddha pass away?

Answer 12

At age of 80, in Kusinagar (deoria, up)

Question 13

What is eight fold path of Gautama Buddha called?

Answer 13

Ashtangika marga: right speech, right determination, right observation , right action, right livelihood, right exercise, right memory and right meditation.

Question 14

What language is associated with spread of Buddhism?

Answer 14

Pali.

Question 15

What are the three elements in Buddhism?

Answer 15

Buddha, sangha (Buddhist church), and Dhamma.

Question 16

Which Buddhist text talks about cattle as givers of food.

Answer 16

Suttanipatta.

Question 17

Archaeologically, 6th century BCE marks the beginning of?

Answer 17

NBPW (northern black polished ware) phase

Question 18

The NPBW phase marked the beginning of which phase of urbanisation in India?

Answer 18

Second (first was during harappan civ)

Question 19

Vessas were?

Answer 19

Merchant streets in Varanasi

Question 20

Explain: Nishka and Satamana

Answer 20

Either coins or prestige objects of metal (mentioned in vedas)

Question 21

Which were the earliest coins? Where were they first found?

Answer 21

Punch marked coins made of metal appear in the age of Buddha. Their earliest hoard was found UP and Magadha, some in Taxila.

Question 22

What were the sulvasutras?

Answer 22

Texts dealing with measurements.

Question 23

Pali texts speak of three types of villages in age of Buddha, what were they?

Answer 23

1) typical village inhabited by various castes and communities., headed by villages headman BHOJAKA
2) suburban villages: craft villages which served as markets and linked towns.
3) border villages: located at limits of countryside and merged into forests and inhabited by Fowlers and hunters.

Question 24

What were rich peasants called?

Answer 24

Gahapatis

Question 25

What was the nature of economy in this period?

Answer 25

Advanced Food producing, artisanal activity oriented (urban) economy.

Question 26

What were Jatakas?

Answer 26

Stories relating to the previous births of the Buddha.

Question 27

What was the nature of kingship?

Answer 27

The king was a warlord, and position was hereditary. Kastriyas formed then dynasties.

Question 28

What were mahamatras?

Answer 28

Higher officials under king

Question 29

What do these denote: mantrin, senayaka, ayuktas

Answer 29

Minister; military commander; class of officers in some states

Question 30

Who helped create dissent in ranks of Licchavis of Vaishali to enable Ajatshatru to conquer the republic?

Answer 30

Varasakara, a minister of Magadha.

Question 31

Who was dirghacharayana?

Answer 31

A minister in Koshala.

Question 32

What were the various names village headmen were known as?

Answer 32

Gramika, gramini, gramabhojaka

Question 33

Who were the revenue collectors in age of Buddha?

Answer 33

Balisadhakas-collectors of voluntary payment called Bali.

Question 34

Tolls levied on artisans and traders were collected by?

Answer 34

Shaulkika and shulkadhyaksha

Question 35

In this period, the sabha and samitis were most likely replaced by?

Answer 35

Parishad: small body consisting of Brahamanas.

Question 36

“Republican experiment” is seen in which areas of this period?

Answer 36

Shakyas and Lichchavis (eastern UP, bihar)

Question 37

Who was Bhandagarika?

Answer 37

Treasurer in the Shakya and Lichchavi administration

Question 38

What is the Digha Nikaya

Answer 38

One of the oldest Buddhist texts in Pali.