8th Standard, Social History, CHAPTER-6
JAINISM AND BUDDHISM
EXERCISES
I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words:
1 The first Jain Tirthankara was Rishabha.
2 Vardhamana was born at Kundala grama in Vaishali.
3 Mahaveera attained enlightenment (Kaivalya) in his 42nd year.
4 Mahaveera attained Nirvana at Pavapuri of Bihar in his 72nd year.
5 The original name of Gautama Buddha was Siddartha.
6 Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath near Banaras.
7 The first sermon of Buddha is called Dharma Chakra Pravarthana.
8 Macedonian king who attacked India was Alexander.
II Answer the following questions in brief:
9 Which are the five Vows and Triratnas preached by Mahaveera?
Answer: The five Vows and Triratnas preached by Mahaveera are as follows.
The 5 vows are as follows:
1. Non-violence
2. Truth
3. Astheya
4. Aparigraha
5. Brahmacharya
The triratnas are as follows:
1. Samyakgyan
2. Samyakdarshan
3. Samyakcharitra
10 Name the sects among the Jains.
Answer: The sects among the Jains are as follows.
- Swethambars: Those saints and their followers who wear white clothes are called Swethambars
- Digambars: Those saints and their followers who do not wear any clothes are called Digambars.
11 Which are the four Noble Truths preached by Buddha?
Answer: The four Noble Truths preached by Buddha are,
1) The whole world is full of sorrows and suffering.
2) Desire is the main cause for sorrows.
3) Only by the liberation of excessive desires peaceful life could be led.
4) For eliminating desire one should follow Eight Fold Path.
12 What is the middle path?
Answer: The ‘Eight Fold Path’ preached by Buddha is called the Middle Path.
13 Which are the Eight Fold Path preached by Buddha?
Answer: The Eight Fold Path preached by Buddha are,
1. Right Action
2. Right Speech
3. Right Vision
4. Right Livelihood
5. Right Effort
6. Right Recollection
7. Right Resolve
8. Right Thought.
14 Write a note on the Tripitikas.
Answer: After Buddha’s death, his followers collected his teachings and tradition in the form of Tripitakas. These are Vinaya, Dhamma and Abhidhamma pitakas. Over a period of time, disagreements developed in the teachings and different branches of Buddhism sprang up. Thus Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana and their sutras came into being. Today we see many organizations across the globe adopting different ways of realizing Buddha.
III Activities:
1 Collect information about the life of Mahaveera.
Answer: Vardhamana was born in Kundala grama in Vaishali, one of the republics. His father was Siddhartha, the king of the Gnatrika tribe. His mother was Trishaladevi, the princess of the Republic of Licchavi. Vardhamana controlled his senses and achieved power over comfort and pain. Due to this achievement, he came to be known as ‘Mahaveera’ and became a ‘Jina’. A Jina was one who had overcome his senses and become victorious. Thus his followers came to be called Jains. Mahavira (599/540 BCE – 527/468 BCE) was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, known for renouncing his royal life at age 30 to become an ascetic in search of spiritual enlightenment. After 12 years of intense meditation, he attained Kevala Jnana (perfect knowledge) at age 42 and then spent 30 years teaching non-violence (Ahimsa), truth, and the Jain principles of conduct to spread peace and liberate souls.
Mahaveera spent his last 30 years in preaching his knowledge to the people around the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. He travelled towards Western India preaching his thoughts. He attained nirvana in his 72nd year in Pavapuri of Bihar.
2 Collect pictures related to the life of Gautama Buddha.
