11. Which of the following is/are patron of Jainism?
- Chandragupta Maurya
- Kharvela
- Ashoka
- Amoghvarsha
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2, 3 and 4
[C] Only 1, 2 and 4
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 2 and 4]
Notes:Patron of Jainism
- Chandra Gupta Maurya
- Kharavel
- Amoghavarsha
Patron of Buddhism – Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Prasannajit, Udayana, Pradyota, Ashoka, Milindo, Kaniska, Harshavardhana, Gopal, Dharmapada, Rampala, Gautam Buddha.
12. Consider the following statements:
- Both Buddha and Mahavira were Kshatriya by birth
- Kshatriya enthusiastically patronised the new socio-religious reform movements such as Buddhism and Jainism
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2 ]
Notes:
Society at the end of the later Vedic period was divided into four Varnas- Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. In this Brahamanical world view, Kshatriya- the ruling class and Vaishya- the working class, were assigned inferior positions vis-à-vis Brahmans. Upto this time, there was a remarkable increase in the power and prestige of the state, hence the ruling class i.e. Kshatriyas. Yet, they were supposed to obey the Brahmanas. Vaishyas, the only economically productive class of these three, were facing even more disabilities. Additionally, large scale slaughter of cattle wealth in Brahmanical rituals was hurting the new agrarian economy and the Dharmashastras decried money lending. So, these two Varnas reacted against the Brahamanical supremacy and supported Buddhism and Jainism. Notably, both Buddha and Mahavira were Kshatriya by birth. Both, these Varnas enthusiastically patronised these new socio-religious reform movements.
13. Consider the following statements regarding “Jainism and Buddhism”:
- Both the religions were against the Vedas and Vedic culture as well as Brahmanism.
- Both the leaders preached truth, non-violence, celibacy and detachment from the materialistic world in their religion.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
The similarities between Jainism and Buddhism are listed as follows:
– Belief in faith and action.
– Both are non-theistic religions.
– Both the religions had a common background related to the Aryan culture.
– Both the religions were against the Vedas and Vedic culture as well as Brahmanism.
– Animal sacrifice was opposed by both the religions.
– Both the leaders preached truth, non-violence, celibacy and detachment from the materialistic world in their religion.
14. Consider the following statements regarding “Jina” in Jainism:
- A Jina is one who established Jainism by following the beliefs and attaining liberation by conquering both love and hatred.
- Jinas is neither divine beings nor incarnations of gods.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
A Jina is one who established Jainism by following the beliefs and attaining liberation by conquering both love and hatred. Jinas is neither divine beings nor incarnations of gods. They are enlightened men who spread the unchanging principles of Jainism. Jains believe that spiritual progress, aimed towards ultimate enlightenment and liberation, is the responsibility of each soul. People who are removed from everyday human life and do not answer the prayers of believers.
15. Which sculpture style was influenced by the three religions i.e. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism?
[A] Amaravati style
[B] Mathura style
[C] Gandhara style
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mathura style]
Notes:
Apart from Buddha-Bodhisattva statues in Mathura style, sculptures of Hindus and Jains have also been built. The Mathura style developed under the patronage of the Kushan rulers. Kankletila Jain sculptures were built in Mathura style.
16. Lord Mahavir was the ______th Tirthankara of Jainism.
[A] 24
[B] 18
[C] 12
[D] 6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [24]
Notes:
The birth anniversary of Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism is celebrated as Mahavir Jayanti by Jains across the world.
This year, Mahavir Jayanti falls on April 14. Jains obey the five principles conveyed by Mahavir namely: Ahimsa, Satya, Astaya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha.
17. Consider the following statements on ‘the national commission to review the working of the constitution’:
- The Commission was headed by M.N. Venkatachaliah, the former Chief Justice of India.
- It recommended to expand Article 19 and Article 21-A.
- Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism should be considered as independent religions from Hinduism.
- A new Directive Principle on Population Control should be added.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:- The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) was set up by a resolution of the Government of India in 2000, and was asked to submit its recommendations within one year. The 11-member Commission was headed by M.N. Venkatachaliah, the former Chief Justice of India. Commission submitted its report in 2002.
- Some of its recommendations are:
- Article 19 should be expanded to expressly include “the freedom of the press and other media, etc.” Article 21-A, the right to education, should be expanded.
- The maximum length for preventive detention should be six months; and
- Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism should be considered as independent religions from Hinduism, and the clauses combining them under Article 25 should be removed.
- During the operation of a national emergency, the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights under Articles 17, 23, 24, 25, and 32, as well as those under Articles 20 and 21, will not be suspended.
- Part IV of the Constitution’s heading should be changed to ‘Directive Principles of State Policy and Action.’ A new Directive Principle on Population Control should be added to the list.
- Every five years, an independent National Education Commission should be established.
- To promote inter-religious harmony and social solidarity, an Inter-Faith Commission should be constituted.
- The Justice Verma Committee’s suggestions on the operationalization of Fundamental Duties should be adopted as soon as possible.
- Article 51-A should add the responsibility to vote in elections, participate actively in the democratic process of governance and pay taxes and to promote a sense of family values and responsible parenting in matters of children’s education, physical, and moral well-being.
- Aappropriate framework for regulating political parties would need to be put in place before state funding could be considered.
- All individuals who defect (individually or in groups) from the party or alliance of parties on whose ticket they were elected must renounce their parliamentary or assembly seats. A vote cast by a defector to overthrow a government should be considered void. The Election Commission, rather than the Speaker or Chairman of the House concerned, should have the authority to determine on questions of defection disqualification.
- The Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule should cover disaster and emergency management.
- In the event of a political breakdown in a state, the state should be given an opportunity to explain its position and correct the situation before invoking Article 356, to the extent possible.
18. What are the main beliefs of Jainism?
[A] right belief
[B] right knowledge
[C] right conduct
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
The three guiding principles of Jainism, the ‘three gems’, are right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. Jainism is derived from the Shramana tradition and its promoters are 24 Tirthankaras, in which the first Tirthankara is Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath) and the last Tirthankara is Mahavir Swami.
19. Who is the real founder of Jainism?
[A] Mahavir Swami
[B] Rishabhanatha
[C] Sambhavnath
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rishabhanatha]
Notes:
Lord Rishabhdev is the first Tirthankara of Jainism. Tirthankara means one who creates a pilgrimage. Those who create a pilgrimage from the world ocean (the cycle of birth and death) to salvation are called Tirthankaras. Rishabhdev Ji is also called Adinath. Lord Rishabhdev is the first Tirthankara of the present Avarspini period.
20. Which is the holy book of Jainism?
[A] Upnishad
[B] Vedas
[C] Pitaka
[D] Agamas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Agamas]
Notes:
The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called Agamas. These are the canonical literature of Shwetambar Jainism. Mahavira’s disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras and memorized them to pass on to future generations.
