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Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

2,971 Questions

Indian philosophy spans diverse concepts from Buddhist teachings and practices to ancient aesthetics. This collection covers meditation rules, spiritual enlightenment, and cultural expressions like Odissi. These topics are vital for general awareness in civil services and state exams.

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Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics Questions

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

Which among the following was the doctrine that was a addition by Mahavira to the teachings under Jainism ?

  1. Do not speak a lie.

  2. Observe continence.

  3. Do not commit violence.

  4. Do not steal.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. There are basically five vows in Jainism. The first four vows- Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya (non-stealing) and Aparigraha (non-possession) were added by the 23rd Tirthankara Pasharvanath whereas the fifth vow continence, chastity or patience was laid down by Mahavira.

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

In Jainism, 'Perfect Knowledge' is referred to as _________.

  1. Nirvana

  2. Ratna

  3. Kaivalya

  4. Jina
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Jainism 'Jina' means one who has controlled ones senses. Ratna or Ratantraya are the tripple gems of Jainism. These are the right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. The term Nirvana is used to free from the cycle of rebirth and death. The term Kaivalya is referred to 'Perfect Knowledge' or Spiritual liberation. 

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by _______.

  1. Mahayana Buddhism

  2. Hinayana Buddhism

  3. Jainism

  4. The Lokayata school
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by Jainism. The five cardinal principles of Jainism, if followed by a monk, is called Mahavrata and if observed by a lay follower, then it is called Anuvrata.

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

Which of the following is true in regarding to Jainism?

  1. Jainism recognised the existence of the gods

  2. Jainism did not recognised the existence of the gods

  3. Jainism recognised the existence of the gods but placed them above the jina

  4. Jainism recognised the existence of the gods but placed them lower than the jina
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Jainism recognised the existence of the gods but placed them lower than the jina. Jainas rejected the authority of the Vedas, vedic rituals and Brahmana supremacy. However, they did not condemn Varna system and according to Mahavira, a person's varna was dependent upon the sins or virtues of previous birth.

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

Vardhaman Mahavira got enlightenment at the age of ________.

  1. 42

  2. 52

  3. 62

  4. 72
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vardhaman Mahavira left his home in pursuit of spiritual awakening and adopted ascetic life at the age of 30. He wandered for about 12 years and practiced severe austerities and eventually attained kevalajnana (enlightenment) at the age of 42 outside the town of Jrimbhikagrama on the banks of Rijupalika river.

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

Which of the following was/were impact/s of Jainism?

  1. Growth of language and literature

  2. Principle of non-violence

  3. Growth of trading community

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Jainism, just like Buddhism, focused a lot on Ahimsa. Even tiny organisms were considered to have the conscience and were not to be hurt.

Jainism appealed a lot to the trading community, who were Vaishyas, and were not happy with Brahmana supremacy and wanted to climb up the social ladder.
Moreover, Jainism also led to growth of language and literature. Earliest Jaina works were in an eastern dialect of Prakrit called Ardhamagadhi. Besides, Prakrit and its other dialects, Sanskrit and other vernacular languages were widely used for both canonical and non-canonical literature.

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

What were the causes responsible for decline of jainism in India?

  1. Lack of royal patronage

  2. Severity of Jainism

  3. Factionalism in Jainism

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

There were many different causes for the decline of Jainism in India, some of which have been listed below:

  • Lack of royal patronage
  • Apathy on part of Jaina missionaries and mendicants in regards to spreading Jainism
  • Severity of Jainism
  • Factionalism in Jainism - division into Shvetambaras and Digambaras
  • Rise of Hinduism due to philosophers like Shankaracharya, Ramanuja and others

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

Assertion (A): In the beginning, only high caste Kshatriya communities adopted Jainism.
Reason (R): Vardhaman Mahavira belonged to a well-known Kshatriya community.

  1. Both A and R is true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. Both A and R is true but R is not a correct explanation of A

  3. A is true but R is false

  4. A is false but R is true
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While it is true that many early followers were Kshatriyas and Mahavira was a Kshatriya, the adoption of Jainism by Kshatriyas was not solely caused by Mahavira's caste; it was a broader socio-religious movement.

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

Which of the following was/were cause/s for rise of Jainism and Buddhism?

  1. Complexity of vedic rituals

  2. Rigidity of caste system

  3. Sacrifice of animals

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

There were various causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism:

  •   Religious factors - complex and expensive vedic rituals, Upanishads being highly philosophical in nature etc
  •   Social factors - rigidity of caste system, domination of priestly class etc
  •   Economic factors - rise of trade and therefore, growing economic domination of Vaishyas, sacrifice of animals leading to depletion of cattle wealth etc

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

Harshavardhana has convened an assembly of Buddhists under the presidentship of ________.

  1. Hiuen Tsang

  2. Banabhatta

  3. Fa Hien

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hieun Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana with an aim of securing authentic Buddhist scripts. The Kannauj assembly (643 AD) was held in the honour of Hieun Tsang and to popularise Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Bāṇabhaṭṭa was a 7th-century Sanskrit prose writer and poet of India. He was the Asthana Kavi in the court of King Harsha Vardhana. Fa-hien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Chandra Gupta II. Hence, these are incorrect.