jainism and buddhism

history chapter 3

what are the 3 main sources of info on jainism and buddhism?

1. angas

2. tripitikas

3. jatakas

explain the angas.

• main sacred texts of jainism.

• record the teachings and philosophy of mahavira.

• describe rules of conduct for monks, nuns and lay followers.

• give details about jain beliefs - non violence, truth, penance.

• valuable sources for understanding early jain religious practices.

explain the tripitikas.

• earliest buddhist scriptures written in pali.

• word tripitika - three baskets, divided into 3 sections.

  1. vinaya pitaka - rules for discipline of monks and nuns.

  2. sutta pitaka - records sermons, dialogues and teachings of buddha.

  3. abhidhamma pitaka - philosophical explanations and discussions on buddhist doctrines.

explain the jatakas.

• collection of stories about previous births of buddha.

• show moral values and virtues practiced by buddha in earlier lives.

• written in simple and engaging style, like folk tales.

• provide insights into social, economic and cultural life of people in that period.

• also reflect buddhist ideas of karma, rebirth and moral living.

give five causes for rise of growth of jainism and buddhism.

1. reaction against ritualism: religious ceremonies had become very expensive, unaffordable for common people. priests were indifferent to the common people’s suffering.

2. corruption in religion: priests encouraged commoners to perform yajnas and household rites for their own wealth - kshatriya rulers protested against this. jainism and buddhism were founded by 2 kshatriya princes.

3. rigid caste system: division of society had become rigid, did not allow social mobility. restrictions on basis of food, drinks and marriage, interchange was not possible.

4. difficult language: sanskrit was considered sacred language which priests understood but commoners did not.

5. agricultural economy: farmers in gangetic valley did not want to kill their animals for sacrifices - jainism and buddhism were against animal sacrifice.

what are the 6 doctrines of jainism?

1. tri-ratnas

2. karma

3. equality

4. eternal soul

5. salvation

6. belief in penance

explain tri-ratnas.

• mahavira preached - ultimate goal of man is to attain freedom or moksha.

• tri-ratnas or 3 jewels were - right faith, right knowledge, right conduct.

• they inspire a true jain to have faith in the 24 tirthankaras.

explain karma.

• jains believe in karma theory of hinduism - one should be responsible for his own karma or actions.

• good deeds alone liberate a man from the cycle of life and death.

explain equality in jainism.

• mahavira laid stress on equality between men and men and men and women.

• preached universal brotherhood.

• considered all men equal irrespective of their caste or creed.

• virtuous deeds could achieve ultimate salvation or nirvana.

what is the concept of eternal soul in jainism?

• mahavira believed in immortality of the soul.

• the body dies but not the soul.

what is the concept of salvation in jainism?

• jains believe in moksha or freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

• can be achieved only by leading an austere life based on non-violence and self-denial.

• necessary to practice tri-ratnas to attain it.

why did jainism have a few followers?

• jains believe in penance - to die of starvation is a virtue.

• jainism lays so much stress on penance that very few people could lead such an austere life. this is why it only had a few followers.

what are the 4 noble truths of buddhism?

1. the world is full of suffering.

2. the suffering has a cause.

3. desire is the cause of suffering.

4. if desire is stopped, suffering can also be stopped.

what is the eightfold path in buddhism?

• the way to nirvana (removal of suffering) is known as eightfold path.

• it includes:

  1. right action

  2. right thought

  3. right belief

  4. right living

  5. right speech

  6. right effort

  7. right recollection

  8. right meditation.

what is the code of conduct in buddhism?

1. not to tell a lie

2. not to own property

3. not to consume alcoholic drinks

4. not to commit violence

5. not to indulge in corrupt practices.

what is the concept of karma in buddhism?

• man is the maker of his destiny and it believed in rebirth. the evil deeds will be punished.

• man should follow a middle path.

• karma decided the type of man’s existence in the next life - wheel of existence.

name and explain some more practices that buddha preached.

1. stress on morality: life based on good actions - followers were enjoined to practise non-violence and to lead an upright life.

2. nirvana: ultimate goal of life. peaceful state of mind, conquers all diseases, makes the person free from cycle of life and death.

3. universal brotherhood: he wanted all people to live in peace, setting aside all their differences.

4. ahimsa: preached non-violence.

5. no faith in rituals and sacrifices: cannot change a man’s identity.