Download chapter 7 new ideas and new religions

CHAPTER 7 NEW IDEAS AND NEW
RELIGIONS
KEY WORDS
 Privilege: Benefit available only to a special few
 Preacher: A person, often a member of the clergy, who gives religious talks and often
performs religious ceremonies.
 Patronage: Receive favour in cash or kind
I. Answer the following in one or two sentences:
1. What are the main teachings of the Upanishads?
* The main teachings of the Upanishads are the atman and the Brahman.
*The Upanishads also taught people to be compassionate, generous, honest,
courageous and have self-control.
2. Why did the kshatriyas resent the domination of the brahmanas?
*The kshatriyas resented the domination of the brahmanas as only the latter had
knowledge of the Vedas and could perform rituals and sacrifices.
3. Why was Mahavira called jina?
*The word Jina means 'conqueror of self'.
*Mahavira was called jina because he had conquered his worldly desires.
4. What were the four sights that changed Siddhartha's life completely?
*The four sights that changed Siddhartha's life completely were that of an old
man,a sick man,a dead man and a holy man.
5. What are stupas?
*Stupas are semi-spherical dome-like structures which contain the sacred remains
of the Buddha or some Buddhist monk like a tooth, hair or a nail.
II. Answer the following in four or five sentences:
6. Discuss the reasons for the emergence of new ideas in India around 6th
century BCE.
The reasons for the emergence of new ideas in India were*The caste system had become very rigid by the 6th century BCE.
*The lower castes resented the supremacy of the brahmanas and the kshatriyas.
*Rituals had become a complex and expensive affair.People yearned for simple
life-style.
*All the sacred hymns were composed in Sanskrit which was very difficult to
understand by the common people.
7. What were the main teachings of Mahavira?
*Mahavira taught people three things--------right faith, right knowledge and right
behaviour.These teachings are known as triratna or three jewels.
*He believed in ahimsa or non-violence.
*He taught his followers not to speak lies and not to steal other people’s things.
*He did not believe in religious ceremonies, rituals and sacrifices.
*He opposed caste system and emphasised that people should be treated with
respect and compassion.
8. What was the eightfold path?
*The eightfold path was the key to end suffering and attain enlightenment.
*It consisted of –a)right observation, b) right determination, c)right speech, d) right
action, e)right livelihood, f)right effort , g)right memory, h) right meditation
9. What are the rules prescribed for Buddhist monks and nuns?
*The sangha was the formal religious order of the Buddhists.Members belonged to
various castes,professions and communities.
*They had to follow the teachings of Buddha strictly.
*They had to give up their family life and worldly possessions and spent most of
their time in prayer and meditation.
*Since they lived on charity, they were also known as ‘Bhikshus’ or beggars.
10. Write a note on Buddhist and Jain literature.
*The Jains made a very valuable contribution to literature.
*The teachings of Mahavira were transmitted orally for many years and were later
compiled in Prakrit language in Vallabhi in Gujarat.Jain literature included epics,
dramas and novels.
*The religious literature of the Jains can be found in the Purvas and Angas.
*The teachings of Buddhism are compiled in three books called Tripitakas.
*They are the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka and the Abhidhamma Pitaka.