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ASSIGNMENT 10 CLASS IX HISTORY

CHAPTER - 4 JAINISM AND

Note: ● The Study Material consists of 3 parts – o Part I - The important highlights of the chapter. o Part II - The activity based on the chapter. o Part III – The questions based on the study material you need to answer in your respective notebook and submit when you are back to the school.

PART – I Highlights of the lesson

CAUSES WHICH FAVOURED THE RISE OF JAINISM AND th BUDDHISM IN 6 ​ CENTURY BC ​

We have already referred to the intellectual unrest and the social and economic inequalities existing during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. People wanted a different kind of society and a different system of . Causes which favoured the rise and growth of Jainism and Buddhism were as follows:

1. Ritualistic Vedic Religion : The simple religion of the early was replaced by ​ ​ meaningless and complicated ceremonies. The common people were greatly burdened with the elaborate rites and ceremonies which were too costly for them to perform. They became discontented with the religious beliefs and practices of that age.

2. to perform : The simple sacrifices of the early Vedic ​ period were discarded and replaced by expensive Yajnas which became an essential part of the religious rites. A large number of animals had to be killed for the ceremonial sacrifices and Yajnas. A new agricultural economy based on iron-ploughs needed all the more animals to plough the peasant's fields. People, therefore, resented such Meaningless sacrifices which required the indiscriminate slaughter of animals among the .

3. Supremacy of the Priestly Class : With the introduction of elaborate rites and rituals, the priestly class came to occupy a position of supremacy in society. The priests dominated the life of a man from birth to death. People turned against these priests who made their religion complicated, expensive and burdensome.

4. The Caste System: In the course of , the castes became rigid like water-tight compartments. Caste was decided according to birth and not according to profession. People who belonged to the lower castes were ill treated by the high castes. The institution of untouchability also came into being. The intellectuals and reformers, naturally, resented such unjust social distinctions among the people. The Buddhist was, therefore, thrown open to all equally.

5. Difficult Vedic Language : The Vedic literature had been written in , which was ​ beyond the comprehension of the common people. Many could not understand the Vedic recited by the priests.

6. Efforts of Religious Reformers : The unrest against the evils that had crept into the Vedic religion and society led to the rise of a number of intellectuals and holy men. They questioned the efficacy of meaningless rites and the supremacy of the priestly class. The simple life and teachings of these holy men, like Vardhamana and Gautama ​ ​ Buddha, attracted many. ​

TEACHINGS OF MAHAVIRA AND MAIN OF JAINISM

1. The Five Vows: Mahavira laid the principle of great emphasis on . He said all creatures, animals and plants possess life. No harm should be caused to any living creature. Besides Ahimsa, the Jains were required to take vows of not telling a lie, not to steal non-attachment to worldly things and , i.e., Brahmacharya.

2. No in : Mahavira did not believe in the . He had no in the ​ theory that God created the world. According to him, man is responsible for his own destiny. Emancipation from suffering does not depend upon any outside power. Man escapes from his misery and suffering only through leading a life of renunciation.

3. or : Mahavira accepted the current theories of and . The ​ main aim of one's life is to attain salvation. Man can be liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth by following the gems) and right faith, right knowledge conduct. The right conduct required the five vows which have been mentioned earlier.

4. Rejection of Vedic Rituals and Yajnas : The Jains do not give any importance to the ​ meaningless rites and ceremonies and the sacrificial rituals of the Brahmanical religion.

5. To treat People on an Equal Basis and Opposition to the Caste System : Mahavira believed in the equality of all human beings. All have the right to attain Nirvana by leading a pure life. He preached that there should not be any discrimination on grounds of caste. He even favoured the freedom of women and allowed them to join the Jain Sangha. ​ ​

6. Belief in Penance : The Jains believe in Penance. They were directed to live strict lives. ​ To starve oneself to death was regarded as a great .

TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA AND MAIN DOCTRINES OF BUDDHISM

The foundation of Buddha's doctrines was based on Four Noble Truths which he emphasised in his teachings. The Four Noble Truths were : ​ ​

1. The world is full of sorrow and suffering. 2. The main cause of suffering is man's desire () for sensual pleasures and earthly ​ ​ possession. 3. Suffering can be removed by getting rid of desires, i.e., renunciation. 4. One can overcome desires by following the Eightfold Path.

1. The Eightfold Path : It consists of : ​

1. Right Faith 2. Right Aspiration 3. Right Action, 4. Right Living, 5. Right Speech, 6. Right Effort, 7. Right , and 8. Right Contemplation.

The Eightfold Path was also known as the Middle-Path'. Buddha believed in following a middle course avoiding two extremes. i.e., neither indulging in attachment worldly pleasures nor practising severe self mortification.

2. Karma Theory : Buddha believed in the theory of Karma. Whatever a man sows, he ​ reaps. The condition of man in this life and the next depends on his deeds and he has to bear the consequences of his own actions. Neither sacrifices nor any to God can change a man's destiny.

3. Nirvana : Man's ultimate aim in life is to attain Nirvana -the final bliss which is free from desire and sorrow, and is an escape from the cycle of birth and rebirth. One can attain Nirvana by following the Eightfold Path.

4. Existence of God : Buddha was silent on the existence of God. Scholars have interpreted ​ his silence as disbelief, as he neither accepted nor denied the existence of God. Mechanical of Gods was brushed aside and a high ethical code was elevated to the status of religion.

5. Ahimsa : One of the prominent Teachings of Buddha was Ahimsa. He was strongly ​ against anyone causing harm to any living being. He also believed that non-violence should be the main principle of practical morality.

6. No Faith in Caste System : Buddha vehemently opposed the caste system as he believed ​ that all men are equal and that there should not be any caste distinction. One of the main attractions of Buddhism was its strong stand against casteism.

7. Emphasis on Character : Buddha laid great stress on the development of moral character. He emphasised that moral living was more important than worship. He insisted on truthfulness in speech; love and benevolence for others; kindness to all living beings; obedience to parents, respect for elders, and from intoxicating drinks.

PART - II ACTIVITY

Answer the following questions in detail :

1. There were many factors responsible for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in the 6th century BC. In this context explain the role of the following:

(a) Ritualistic Vedic Religion ​ (b) Supremacy of the Priestly Class ​

(c) Rigid Caste System ​ (d) Difficult Vedic Language ​

2. Give a brief account of the life of Lord Mahavira. Explain his teachings regarding : ​

(a) The Five Vows ​ (b) Belief in God ​ (c) Rejection of Rituals ​ (d) Treating People on an Equal basis ​

3. What views did Buddha hold regarding : ​ (a) Karma Theory ​ (b) Nirvana ​ (c) Existence of God ​ (d) Ahimsa ​ PART - III QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions briefly :

1. Mention two causes which favoured the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in the 6th Century BC. 2. Mention any two teachings of Mahavira (any two doctrines of Jainism). 3. What is known as Triratna in Jainism? 4. Mention any two factors that led to the growth of Jainism. 5. What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism? 6. Mention any four points of the Buddhist Eight-Fold Path. 7. Mention any two teachings of Lord Buddha 8. Mention two factors that led to the spread and growth of Buddhism

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