History Test - 5

The correct answer is Lion.

Key Points

Jainism -

• Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that teaches spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence to all living creatures.
• The aim of Jain life is to achieve the liberation of the soul.
• Tirthankara’s are the saviour and spiritual teacher of the Jain dharma.

List of Jain Tirthankara

• There are 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism.
• The first Tirthankara was Rishabhdev and the last one was Mahavira
• A list of the last 5 Tirthankaras and symbols is as follows -

• ​Hence the correct answer is option 4.​

Additional Information​ List of the first 5 Tirthankaras and symbols is as follows -

The Correct Answer is Option 3 i.e. Idol worship of Gods and Goddesses.

• Both Mahayana and Hinayana adopt one and the same Vinaya, and they have in common the prohibitions of the five offenses, and also the practice of the Four Noble Truths.
• Mahayana is dubbed as the “greater, superior or bigger vehicle” while the Hinayana is known as the “lesser, defective, deficient or lesser vehicle.
• Mahayana teaches the people many principles about purification so that they or society as a whole can be elevated to the highest level.
• Hinayana teachings are more self-serving.
• It is practiced for the enlightenment of the sole practitioner (at the individual level).
• Hinayana does not believe in Idol worship and tries to attain individual salvation through self-discipline and meditation. 
• The ultimate aim of Hinayana is thus Nirvana.
• Mahayana or “great vehicle” believes in the heavenliness of Buddha and Idol worship of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas embodying Buddha Nature.
• Hence Option 3 is Correct.

The Correct Answer is "Madhya Pradesh".

Important Points

• Sanchi Stupa is a historic site of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh state, India.
• It is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the country and the largest stupa at the site.
• The Great Stupa (also called stupa no. 1) was originally built in the 3rd century BCE by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha.
• The building is 120 feet (37 meters) wide and 54 feet (17 meters) high.
• The Great Stupa and Sanchi’s other Buddhist monuments were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.

Additional Information

• The central structure consists of a hemispherical dome on a base, with a deep chamber within.
• The dome symbolizes, among other things, the dome of heaven enclosing the earth.
• It is surmounted by a squared railing that can be said to represent the world mountain.
• A central pillar (Vashti) symbolizes the cosmic axis and supports a triple umbrella structure, which is held to represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism—the Buddha, the dharma (doctrine), and the sangha (community).
• A circular terrace (Medhi), enclosed by a railing, surrounds the dome, on which the faithful are to circumambulate in a clockwise direction.
• The entire structure is enclosed by a low wall (vedika), which is punctuated at the four cardinal points by toranas (ceremonial gateways).

The correct answer is The rule of the Sangha.

Key Points

• The monastic order of monks, and ultimately the order of nuns, was created within the Buddha's lifetime. 
• The Vinaya Pitaka gives an account of the establishment of the Sangha and the rules that governed it.
• The Vinaya Pitaka contains two main sections, the Sutta Vibhanga and Khandaka, and an appendix known as Parivara.
• The Sutta Vibhanga contains the Patimokkha, a set of monastic rules, 227 for the monks and 311 for the nuns.
• The Patimokkha was recited by congregations of monks in the fortnightly Uposatha ceremony held on the full moon and new moon days.

Additional Information

• Mahayana Buddhism:
  • After the death of Buddha, a group evolved who believed that compassion for all humanity was an important part of the path, and that teaching is fully available to all.
  • Those who followed the newly expanded ideals called themselves Mahayana meaning the big raft.
  • In Mahayana Buddhism, all practicing Buddhists are apprentice Bodhisattvas.
  • In Mahayana countries, images of the Buddha are set up in the temples and homes as an object of worship.
• Hinayana Buddhism:
  • From about 100 years after the death of the Buddha, there had been a movement towards embracing the style of Buddhism.
  • The early monks concentrated on personal enlightenment, seeking spiritual answers for themselves, and teaching others the way of enlightenment.
  • But the information was severely limited to the lay community as it was assumed only minks could achieve Buddhahood.
  • This section came to be known as Hinayana or also known as Theravada.
  • Theravada means the way of elders.
• Milindapanha:
  • The Milindapanha, or "Milinda's Questions," is an important early Buddhist text that usually is not included in the Pali Canon.
  • Even so, the Milindapanha is cherished because it addresses many of Buddhism's most difficult doctrines with wit and clarity. 
  • The Milindapanha presents a dialogue between King Menander I (Milinda in Pali) and an enlightened Buddhist monk named Nagasena.
  • Menander- I was an Indo-Greek king thought to have ruled from about 160 to 130 BCE.
  • He was a king of Bactria, an ancient kingdom that took in what is now Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, plus a small part of Pakistan. 

The correct answer is Vajji.

Key Points

• Vajji Mahajanapada was related to both Mahavir Swami and Gautama Buddha.
• Mahavir Swami was born in Kundagram near Vaishali in 599 BC.
• Vaishali was the capital of "Vajji Mahajanapada".
• Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini near Kapilavastu around 563 BC.
• Gautama Buddha's father was the head of Shakyagan and the Shakya republic was one of the 8 republics of Vajji republic.
• Vajji Mahajanapada was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas of ancient India, whose capital was "Vaishali".
• The Vajji was a union of 8 republics. In which the capital of Lichhavi was Vaishali, Mithila of Videha, and Kundagram.
• Magadha was one of the most powerful Mahajanapados whose capital was "Giribraj".

Buddhism as a religion and philosophy encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on the teachings of Buddha.

Important Points

Bodhisattvas.

• These were supposed to be persons who had attained enlightenment.
• Once they attained enlightenment, they could live in complete isolation and meditate in peace. However, instead of doing that, they remained in the world to teach and help other people.
• The worship of Bodhisattvas became very popular and spread throughout Central Asia, China, and later to Korea and Japan.

Thus, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• Mahayana Buddhism:
  • After the death of Buddha, a group evolved who believed that compassion for all humanity was an important part of the path, and that teaching is fully available to all.
  • Those who followed the newly expanded ideals called themselves Mahayana meaning the big raft.
  • In Mahayana Buddhism, all practicing Buddhists are apprentice Bodhisattvas.
  • In Mahayana countries, images of the Buddha are set up in the temples and homes as an object of worship.
• Hinayana Buddhism:
  • From about 100 years after the death of the Buddha, there had been a movement towards embracing the style of Buddhism.
  • The early monks concentrated on personal enlightenment, seeking spiritual answers for themselves, and teaching others the way of enlightenment.
  • But the information was severely limited to the lay community as it was assumed only minks could achieve Buddhahood.
  • This section came to be known as Hinayana or also known as Theravada.
  • Theravada means the way of elders.
• Milindapanha:
  • The Milindapanha, or "Milinda's Questions," is an important early Buddhist text that usually is not included in the Pali Canon.
  • Even so, the Milindapanha is cherished because it addresses many of Buddhism's most difficult doctrines with wit and clarity. 
  • The Milindapanha presents a dialogue between King Menander I (Milinda in Pali) and an enlightened Buddhist monk named Nagasena.
  • Menander- I was an Indo-Greek king thought to have ruled from about 160 to 130 BCE.
  • He was a king of Bactria, an ancient kingdom that took in what is now Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, plus a small part of Pakistan. 

The correct answer is ​Basavanna.

Important Points

The 12th-century philosopher and the statesman of Karnataka, Basavanna​ found the Virashaivism.

• Virashaivism was spread by his followers known as Sharanas.
• They are known as Veera (heroic) Shaivaites and also Lingayats meaning bearers of Siva Linga.
• A pendant that has encased Linga is constantly worn around the neck by the Shaivites.
• These people are also known by the names Shivasharanas and Lingavantas. 

Key Points

Basavanna​

• He was a 12th-century philosopher, statesman, Kannada poet and social reformer during the reign of the Kalachuri-dynasty king Bijjala I in Karnataka, India.
• He spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known as Vachanaas. Basavanna rejected gender or social discrimination, superstitions and rituals.
• He introduced new public institutions such as the Anubhava Mantapa (or, the “hall of spiritual experience”), which welcomed men and women from all socio-economic backgrounds to discuss spiritual and mundane questions of life, in open.
• As a leader, he developed and inspired a new devotional movement named Virashaivas, or “ardent, heroic worshippers of Shiva”. This movement shared its roots in the ongoing Tamil Bhakti movement, particularly the Shaiva Nayanars traditions, over the 7th- to 11th-century.
• He championed devotional worship that rejected temple worship and rituals led by Brahmins and replaced it with personalized direct worship of Shiva through practices such as individually worn icons and symbols like a small linga.
• He is the first Kannadiga in whose honour a commemorative coin has been minted in recognition of his social reforms.
• In November 2015, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi inaugurated the statue of Basaveshwara along the bank of the River Thames at Lambeth in London.

Additional Information

• Ramanuja:
  • He is an Indian philosopher, Hindu theologian, social reformer, and one of the most important representatives of the Vaisnaist tradition in Hinduism.
  • He was born in Sriperumbudur near Chennai.
  • He preached Visishtadvaita in the 12th century. According to him, God is Saguna Braman.
  • He encouraged Prabattimarga or self-surrender to the way of God. He invited the oppressed to join Vaisnavism.
  • His philosophical basis for bhakti influenced the bhakti movement.
  • He said that the ultimate reality is Brahman, and soul and matter are their qualities.
• Tukaram:
  • He is another bhakti saint in Maharashtra and is said to be a contemporary of Shivaji.
  • He is also known as Sant Tukaram, Bhakta Tukaram, Tukaram Maharaj, Tukoba, and Tukobaraya.
  • He was the holy poet of the bhakti movement in the 17th century. Tukaram is famous for its Abhyanga (religious poems) and kirtans (worship of community-oriented spiritual songs).
  • His poems were written specifically for Vitthala or Vithoba, the incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Responsible for creating a background for Marathi nationalism.

The incorrect answer is Jainism did not believed in the soul while Buddhism does.

Key Points

• Buddhism and Jainism were both inspired by the philosophy of the Upanishads. Hence option 1 is correct.
• Both believed that Nirvana or salvation liberates from the eternal chain of birth and death. Hence option 2 is correct.
• Buddhism prescribes a middle path while Jainism advocates to live a life of complete austerity. Hence option 4 is correct.

The differences between the ideologies of Buddhism and Jainism are mentioned below:

The correct answer is Ashoka.

Key Points

• Ashoka was a great proponent of Buddhism.
• Ashoka is considered the greatest king of all times.
• He converted to Buddhism after witnessing the bloodshed and suffering caused by him in the Kalinga War.
• Ashoka was converted to Buddhism by his nephew Nigrodha.
• During his reign for the first time, Buddhism spread outside India.
• He sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) to spread the teachings of Buddhism.
• Ashoka appointed Dhamma Mahamattas to propagate dharma in different social groups.
• Organized the 3^rd Buddhist Council at Pataliputra with Mogaliputta Tissa as the president.
• Established dharmashalas, hospitals, and sarais in his kingdom.

Additional Information

Shaivism is one of the major traditions within Hinduism that reveres Shiva as the Supreme Being.

• The followers of Shaivism are called "Shaivites" or "Saivites".
• It is one of the largest sects that believe Shiva- worshipped as a creator and destroyer of worlds- is the supreme God overall.

Important Points Bhakti in South India:

• The seventh to ninth centuries saw the emergence of new religious movements, led by the Nayanars (saints devoted to Shiva) and Alvars (saints devoted to Vishnu) who came from all castes including those considered “untouchable” like the Pulaiyar and the Panars.
• They were sharply critical of the Buddhists and Jainas and preached ardent love of Shiva or Vishnu as the path to salvation.
• They drew upon the ideals of love and heroism as found in the Sangam literature (the earliest example of Tamil literature, composed during the early centuries of the Common Era) and blended them with the values of bhakti.
• The Nayanars and Alvars went from place to place composing exquisite poems in praise of the deities enshrined in the villages they visited and set them to music.

Thus, we can say that Nayanars popularized Shaivism in South India.

Additional Information

 The 12th-century philosopher and the statesman of Karnataka, Basaveshwara found the Veera Shaivism.

• Veera Shaivism was spread by his followers known as Sharanas.
• They are known as Veera (heroic) Shaivaites and also Lingayats meaning bearers of Siva Linga.
• A pendant that has encased Linga is constantly worn around the neck by the Shaivites.
• These people are also known by the names Shivasharanas and Lingavantas.