Buddhism and Jainism: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)

Explanation

Shakyamuni epithet is widely used in Buddhist texts such as the Lalitavistara Sutra and Mahayana scriptures for Gautama Buddha "Shakyamuni" means "Sage of the Shakya Clan." Gautama Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha in the Shakya clan which ruled the region of Kapilavastu (modern Nepal-India border). Tathagata means "The One Who Has Thus Gone (Tathagata) or Thus Come (Tatha-agata)," referring to Buddha’s enlightened state and transcendence over worldly existence. It is one of the most common epithets used by Gautama Buddha himself in Pali Canon texts like the Digha Nikaya and Majjhima Nikaya. "Nayaputta" is not an epithet of Gautama Buddha; rather, it refers to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism

Explanation

Dhanyakataka (also spelled Dharanikota or Dharanikonda) was an ancient city located in the present-day Andhra Pradesh region of India. It flourished as a major Buddhist center, particularly under the Mahasanghika school of Buddhism. The city is closely associated with the Amaravati Stupa, one of the most significant Buddhist monuments in India. It was a hub of Buddhist learning and practice during the Satavahana period (2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE) and continued to be important under the Ikshvaku dynasty (3rd-4th century CE). Excavations have revealed Buddhist relic caskets, stupas, and monasteries, confirming its association with Buddhism.

Explanation

The core principle of Jainism revolves around non-violence, with no other religion placing as great an emphasis on this value. Jains hold the belief that souls inhabit plants, animals, and even certain non-living entities such as air and water, similar to humans. The doctrine of non-violence encompasses refraining from causing harm to humans, plants, animals, and the natural world.

Explanation

Parishishta Parvan also called the Sthaviravali Charita. It was written by Hemachandra (12th century CE). It is a Jain historical text that provides biographies of Jain monks and rulers who supported Jainism. It contains details about Chandragupta Maurya’s conversion to Jainism under the guidance of Bhadrabahu. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana is a Jain Purana written by Hemachandra in the 12th century CE. It details the lives of 63 great Jain figures (Shalaka Purushas), including the 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartins, 9 Vasudevas, 9 Balabhadras, and 9 Prati-Vasudevas. Nettipakarana (The Guidebook) is an ancient Pali Buddhist text. It is part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pali Canon and serves as a guide for interpreting Buddhist teachings. Avadanasataka(Century of Noble Deeds) is a Buddhist text written in Sanskrit. It is a collection of Buddhist legends and moral stories, emphasizing karmic consequences and rebirth.

Explanation

ryadeva was a Mahayana Buddhist monk, a disciple of Nagarjuna and a Madhyamaka philosopher. His key work "Catuataka" (Four Hundred Verses) elaborates on Madhyamaka philosophy. His writings are important sources of Madhyamaka in both East Asian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Dignaga, a Buddhist logician and author of the Pramasamuccaya (Compendium of the Means of Valid Knowledge) laid the foundations of Buddhist logic. Nathamuni (9th-10th century CE) was a Vaishnavite scholar and theologian. He is credited with compiling the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of hymns by Tamil Alvars, which became a foundational text in Sri Vaishnavism. He was also the guru of Yamunacharya and predecessor of Ramanuja in the Vishishtadvaita tradition.

Explanation

Paramitas are qualities to be perfected in order to attain a state of self enlightened Universal Buddha (a samma sambuddha) a term prevalent in Eastern and Northern Buddhist traditions. Paramitas These are qualities to be perfected in order to transcend into a self enlightened Universal Buddha. Here, The Fourth Noble Truth outlines the Eightfold Path, which is a practical guideline for attaining the cessation of suffering (nirvana), while the Ten Paramitas focus more on the qualities required of a Bodhisattva, both paths lead toward enlightenment. Following are the Ten Paramitas: Generosity, Morality, Patience, Energy, Meditation, Wisdom, Skillful means, Resolution, Power, Knowledge.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Sthaviravadins were an early Buddhist sect that later became associated with Theravada Buddhism, not Mahayana.

Statement 2 is correct: Mahasanghika was further subdivided into several sects including Lokottarvadin, Kavya Variks, Kaukkitikas in coming years. Lokottarvadin was based on the philosophy of Lokottar Buddha or Supernatural Buddha.

Statement 3 is correct: The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghika fostered Mahayana Buddhism. They attributed divinity to Buddha and worship of Buddha in Statue form started which is still prevalent in modern days.

Explanation

In ancient Indian Non-Vedic religious traditions like Buddhism and Jainism, distinct roles and terminologies were used to describe various types of spiritual practitioners and followers such as Parivrajaka, Shramana and Upasaka.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Sanskrit word Parivrajaka means renunciant & wanderer in English. Ajita Keshkambalin, Makhkhali Goshala, Gauthama Buddha, and Vardhamana Mahavira are a few well-known examples for Parivrajaka.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Brahmins were privileged as intermediaries between God and its followers, making them socially dominant groups of the society. There have been many movements that tried to distance themselves from this practice and belief. Shramanas were one such group. Famous among them were Buddhists, Jains, lokayats, and Ajivikas. The Shramanas included a variety of ascetics, monks and lay followers of various sects. They renounced worldly life to search for the truth about life and the universe. The main feature of Shramana was their equal treatment. They lived as an equal member of the order, without any caste distinctions.

Pair 3 is correct: Lay followers of Buddhism were known as Upsakas or Upasikas. This title is used for the followers of Buddhism who were not monks, nuns and took certain vows.

Explanation

Buddhism has several sects, with the main ones being Theravada, which follows the earliest teachings of the Buddha, and Mahayana, which emphasizes the Bodhisattva path and compassion for all beings. Additionally, Vajrayana (or Tibetan Buddhism) incorporates esoteric practices and is a significant branch of Mahayana. All three statements are features of Mahayana Buddhism. The Mahayana sect of Buddhism emerged during the Fourth Buddhist Council held in Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka. The deification of Buddha and worship of images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas was a distinctive feature of this sect. A Bodhisattvas is someone who has compassion within himself or herself and who can make another person smile or help someone suffer less.

Explanation

Sthanakvasi is a branch of Svetambara Jainism that was started in 1653 AD by a merchant named Lavaji. It holds that the path to soul purification and achieving Nirvana/Moksha does not include idol worship.

Option (b) is correct:

The Sthanakvasi sect is a reformist sect within Jainism. It emerged in the 15th century CE as a reaction against the perceived ritualism and temple-centric practices of the Murtipujaka (idol-worshipping) Jains.mThe Sthanakvasis emphasize asceticism, non-violence (ahimsa), and meditation. They reject the worship of idols and instead focus on spiritual practices and the study of Jain scriptures.mThe sect derives its name from the term "Sthanak", meaning a place of worship, which is typically a simple hall rather than an ornate temple.