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Chapter 7. New Questions And Ideas

NCERT Exercise

Exercise - Question:

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Que: Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.

Ans: Buddha tried to spread his message to the people in the following ways:          

(1) Buddha taught in the langauge of the people, Prakriti, so that everyone could understand his message.

(2) He spent his life in travelling on foot, going from place to place, teaching people, till he passed away at Kushinagar.

(3) He also encouraged people to think for themselaves, rather to simply accept what he say. 

Que: Write whether true or false:

(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices.

(b) Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time.

(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives.

(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman and brahman were ultimately one.

Ans: (a) False (b) True (c) False (d) True  (e) True

Que: What were the questions that Upanishadic thinkers wanted to answer?

Ans: The question which upanishadic thinkers wanted to answer:

(1) They wanted to known about life after death.

(2) They wanted to know why sacrifices should be preformed.

(3) They belived that there was somethigh permament in the universe that universe that would last even death. They describes this as 'atman " or individual soul ..

4). They beleive that ultimatley both the atman and the brahman were one   

Que: What were the main teachings of the Mahavira?

Ans: The main teaching of Mahavir are:

(1) Men and women who wished to  known the truth must leave their homes.     

(2) They must stricty follow the rules of ashmisa, which means not hurting or killing living beings.

(3) To all things life is dear.

Que: Why do you think Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of the Buddha?

Ans: Anagha's mother wanted her to know about the story of buddha becouse she was going a school trip to varanasi.

Que: Do you think it would have been easy for slaves to join the sangha? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans: Those who wanted to join the sangha had to take permission of their parents or their masters. If the slave wanted to join the sangha, they had to take the permission of their masters. The masters would not give permission easily, becouse the slave worked harddid not get any wages. So, it was difficult for the slaves to join the sangha. 

 

Chapter 7. New Questions And Ideas

Additional Questions

Additional - Question:

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Que: What was the atm of the thinkers in society?

Ans: The thinkers wanted to understand the ongoing changes in society and to try to find out the true meaning of life.

Que: What did the Buddha do after his enlightenment?

Ans: The Buddha went to Samath and taught for the first time. He spent the rest of his life travelling and teaching people.

Que: What was the ‘Karma’ according to the Buddha?

Ans: ‘Karma’ refers to our actions—good or bad.

Que: How did the Buddha connect to everyone in society?

Ans: The Buddha used Prakrit so that everyone could understand his teachings.

Que: What sort of people became Upanishadic thinkers?

Ans: The Upanishadic thinkers consisted of men, especially ‘brahmins’ and ‘rajas’. There were exceptions, however.

Que: What did Mahavira do to attain enlightenment?  

Ans: Mahavira left home at the age of thirty. Then he spent twelve years in the forest and led a hard and lonely life. Then he got enlightenment.

Que: State two basic rules of Jainism

Ans: 

(a) The Jains had to beg for food.
(b) They were to be absolutely honest.

Que: Name the book which gives the rules of the Buddhist ‘Sangha’.

Ans: The Vinaya Pitaka gives the rules made for the Buddhist ‘Sangha’.

Que: Who all joined the ‘Sangha’?

Ans: Those who joined the ‘sangha’ included ‘Brahmins’, Kshatriyas’, merchants, labourers, slaves, etc.

Que: How did monks take shelter in the rainy season?

Ans: The monks got temporary shelters built during the rainy season, or they lived in caves.

Que: Write a short note on the Buddha’s teachings.   

Ans: The Buddha said that life is full of suffering and unhappiness. He said that its cause lies in our unfulfilled desires and dissatisfaction (‘tanhaj. He suggested a moderation in everything as a solution. He told people to be kind and to respect each and every life. Our actions (‘Karma’) affect us in this life and the further ones. The Buddha encouraged people to think for themselves rather than simply accept his teachings.

Que: Write a short note on Mahavira’s teachings.

Ans: Mahavira said that those who wish to know the truth must leave their homes. People must follow ‘ahimsa’. The Jaines had to leave very simple lives and be very honest throughout. The men had to give up clothes.

Que: Describe how Jainism spread in other parts of India.

Ans: Jainism was initially supported mainly by traders. Farmers found it difficult to follow the rules since they required to kill the insects affecting crops. Over centuries, Jainism spread to different parts of north India, and to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Que: What does the Vinaya Pitaka teU. about ‘sangha’? 

Ans: From the Vinaya Pitaka, we know that there were separate branches for men and women in the Buddhist ‘sangha’. Children were supposed to take the permission of their parents and slaves had to ask for permission from their masters to join it. Women had to ask their husbands. Those who lived in the ‘sangha’ had to lead very simple lives—meditating, travelling and begging. They taught others and helped each other.

Que: Describe Buddha’s life in brief?

Ans: The Buddha (original name—Siddhartha Gautama) belonged to a small ‘gana’ and was a Kshatriya. At an early age, he left the comforts of home and went in search of knowledge. He wandered for several years, and met and discussed with other contemporary thinkers. He meditated for several days under a ‘peepaT tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. Here, after meditation, he attained enlightenment. This gave him the name ‘the Buddha’ (the Wise One). He went to Samath and taught people. He travelled and preached for the rest of his life. He spoke of ‘tanha’, ‘Karma’, etc. He died at Kusinara.