Static Quiz 03 November 2023 (History)

Solution: (a)
Justification: Mahavira organized the Sangha to spread his teachings. He admitted both men and women in the Sangha, which consisted of both monks and lay followers.
The rapid spread of Jainism was due to the dedicated work of the members of the Sangha. It spread rapidly in Western India and Karnataka.
Statement 3: Chandragupta Maurya, Kharavela of Kalinga and the royal dynasties of south India such as the Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas patronized Jainism.
By the end of the fourth century B.C., there was a serious famine in the Ganges valley. Many Jain monks led by Bhadrabagu and Chandragupta Maurya came to Sravana Belgola in Karnataka.
Those who stayed back in north India were led by a monk named Sthulabahu who changed the code of conduct for the monks. This led to the division of Jainism into two sects Svetambaras and Digambaras.

Solution: (b)
Justification: These are jiva, ajivaa, astikaya, bandha, samvara, nirjana, and moksa. Substances like body which exist and envelope (like a cover) are astïkaya.
Anastikayas like ‘time’ have no body at all. The substance is the basis of attributes (qualities). The attributes that we find in a substance are known as dharmas. The Jainas believe that things or substance have attributes.
These attributes also change with the change of kala (time). From their point of view, the attributes of a substance are essential, and eternal or unchangeable. Without essential attributes, a thing cannot exist. So, they are always present in everything.
For example, consciousness (chetana) is the essence of the soul; desire, happiness and sorrow are its changeable attributes.

Solution: (c)
Justification: The three principles or Triratnas of Jainism are right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. Triratnas—3 Gems of Jainism
Samyak Shradha/ Vishwas (Right Faith) — Belief of Tirthankaras Samyak man or Gyan (Right Knowledge) — Knowledge of Jam belief
Samyak Karma/Acharana (Right Action/Conduct) — Practise of 5 vows of Jainism

Learning: Mahavira regarded all objects, both animate and inanimate, have souls and various degrees of consciousness. They possess life and feel pain when they are injured.
Even the practice of agriculture was considered sinful as it causes injury to the earth, worms and animals. Similarly the doctrine of asceticism and renunciation was also carried to extreme lengths by the practice of starvation, nudity and other forms of self-torture.

Solution: (c)
Answer Justification :
Concept: Jains are divided into two major sects; the Digambara (meaning sky clad) sect and the Svetambara (meaning white clad) sect. Each of these sects is also divided into subgroups.

The two sects agree on the basics of Jainism, but disagree on:
 details of the life of Mahavira
 the spiritual status of women
 whether monks should wear clothes
 rituals
 which texts should be accepted as scripture

Justification: Statement 1: As per them, this is because women cannot live a truly ascetic life, because they have
to possess clothes. They believe true monks must live without clothes.
Statement 2: They believe that one can become a monk only by having no worldly possessions by demonstrating indifference to earthly emotions such as shame Digambara monks are not allowed any possessions, not even begging bowls and so can only receive gifts in their
cupped hands.

Solution: (b)
Justification: We will explain it in light of the teachings of Mahavira.
Statement 1 and 2: Right Knowledge (as per Mahavira) is the acceptance of the theory that there is no God and that the world has been existing without a creator and that all objects possess a soul. Buddhism sheds any discussion on God and soul as futile. Buddha also taught that the soul does not exist, so there is no meeting ground in this case.
So, 1 and 2 are wrong.
Statement 3: Right conduct (Jainism) refers to the observance of the five great vows such as not to injure life, not to lie, not to steal, not to acquire property and not to lead an immoral life. Buddhism also forbids its monks from acquiring property (that may bring a sense of ego and pride to its monks and nuns) and injuring life. So, 3 is a meeting ground.
Statement 4: Only Jainism advocates extreme penance, Buddhism preaches moderation. So, 4 is wrong.