THEME -4 Thinkers, Belief and Buildings Class 12 th History

 

THEME -4

Thinkers, Belief and Buildings

 (Culture Development (600 BCE – 600 CE)

ShortAnswerTypeQuestion:

Q. Were the ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers different from those of the fatalists and materialists? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans: - The ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers were not much different from those of the fatalists and materialists. This is brought out by the following arguments.

(i) The fatalists, materialists and Upanishadic thinkers are reflective of critical thinking of old sacrificial religion, Varna system and priesthood.

(ii) The fatalists (Ajivikas) were different because their basic theme was ‘niyati’ or destiny which is predetermined by fate. Its founder Makhali Goshala advised that an individual should take no action as action would come by itself as predetermined.

(iii) As opposed to Upanishads and Fatalists, Materialists (Lokayats) did not believe in Parloka, Karma and rebirth. Lokayat founder Ajita Kesakembalin believed existence of god is myth.

(iv) Upanishadic thinkers laid great emphasis on knowledge, the nature of universe and universal principles. To them faith on merger with Brahma (creator) called as nirvana, karma, misery in the mortal existence and transmigration of soul are the best course for a person.

Q. Give an account of origin and Central teachings of Jainism?

Ans: - Vardhman Mahavir the real founder of Jainism believed in Tri- Ratnas (Three Jewels) i.e, Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Actions. The main teachings of Jainism are as follows:

(I) The entire world is animated (anica). Life exists even in rocks and stones normally considered non-living.

(i) The principle of non-violence is practiced in extreme form in Jainism. No harms should be caused to animals, plants and insects and any other living beings that may include rocks and stones too.

This is notable that Jains are forbidden to eat late night lest they kill insects by mistake.

(ii) The cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through Karma. If one is to escape this cycle of Karma, one must practice ascetism and penance. It is possible when one renounces the world and one has to live in monastery to attain salvation.

(iii) Jain monks have to take vows to observe the following:

(a) Ahimsa: Non- violence (b) Satya: To speak truth (c) Asatya: do not tell lies (d) Aparigraha: do not to possess property (e) Brahmacharya: To observe celibacy.

Q. Give an account of origin and teachings of Buddhism?

Ans: -   Buddhism was found by Siddhartha (566-486 BC). Buddha from childhood was concerned to the suffering of world. After seven years of meditation he received Supreme knowledge (Bodhi) at Bodh Gaya under peepal tree. He became known as Buddha and Tathagatta. He gave first sermon at sarnath to his five former friends (Dharma Chakra Pravartana).

TEACHINGS: Lord Buddha gave a practical solution to the problems of this world. Lord Buddha gave four noble truths. The four Noble Truths are:

I. Sorrow   ii. Cause of Sorrow   iii. Prevention of sorrow   iv. Path for the prevention of sorrow.

To him a man can get rid of sufferings by removing its cause i.e. desires, the cause of sufferings can be removed by following eight fold path i.e. Right vision , Right aim, right speech,

right action, Right means of livelihood right exercise and Right memory and right meditation.

The achievement of nirvana demands that a man should follow moral code of conduct i.e. Ahimsa, Satya, Asatya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya, avoid old time meals, avoid company of women and comfortable bed, avoid liquor and scented goods.

Q. Discuss the role of Begums of Bhopal in preserving the Stupa at Sanchi?

Ans: - Begums of Bhopal made a great contribution to the preservation of the Stupa of Sanchi discovered in 1818 with three of four gateways standing. Following are the major contribution made by them.

(a) Shahejahan Begum and her successor Sultan Jahan Begum of Bhopal were the rulers of Bhopal, who made generous grants to the preservation of the Stupa of Sanchi.

(b) A museum was built near the stupa and it was built mainly on the financial support of Begum Sultan Jahan Begum. Near the museum guest house was built were John Marshal lived and wrote about the Stupa.

(c) The support to preserve the stupa came from the Europeans also.

(d) French and British both took the plaster cast copies of the pillars of the stupas to be displayed in the museums at France and Britain. They also contributed financially to preserve the stupa.

Q. What is Sangha? Why do you think women and men joined Sangha?

Ans: - Buddha founded organization of monks called “Sangha”. These monks served as teachers of “Dhamma”. They live simple life and possessed only the essential things required for their survival. Earlier only men were allowed to join the ‘Sangha’, later on the women were allowed for admission to the Sangha on the persuasion of Buddha’s favorite disciple Ananda. Buddha’s foster mother Prajapati Gautami was first woman ordained in Buddhist Sangha. All the members were regarded as equal in the Sangha.

The important reasons why men and women joined Sanghas could be as follows:

(а) Many of them wanted to renounce the worldly pleasures and follow Buddhist teaching of Fellow feeling (Metta) and compassion (karuna).

(a) They could study the Buddhist literature & philosophy by staying in the company of other monks, follow path of moderation and rise above the worldly troubles and pleasures.

(b) Many people entered Sanghas to become priests and teachers of Buddhism.

(c) All were considered equal and the previous social identity was to be renounced.

(d) The environment of Sanghas was democratic. The decision making within Sanghas was based on voting. This attracted many and they took to the life of Sanghas

LongAnswerTypeQuestion:

Q. To what extent knowledge of Buddhist literature helps   in understanding   the sculpture   of   Sanchi? 

Ans: - Buddhist literature (Tri-Pitikas) helps us up to some extent in understanding the sculpture at Sanchi. It is important that the sculptures at Sanchi depict the events and teachings of Buddha only. The teachings of Buddha are captured in the literature.

Many symbols did not show Buddha in human form instead they represented him with the help of symbols. E.g., empty seat was meant to indicate meditation of Buddha, Tree: the enlightenment as received in Bodh Gaya under peepal tree, The Wheel symbolized sermon as started from sarnath.

Jataka stories (about Buddha) were depicted on the panels of the Sanchi Stupa gateways. E.g., the rural scene art is actually the scene from vassantara jataka where generous prince is giving away

everything to Brahmin and he went in forests.Art historians after examining other literary traditions reflect some of the recurrent sculptures at Sanchi were perhaps not directly inspired by Buddhist ideas and folklore but pre-Buddhist and non Buddhist traditions e.g. beautiful swinging woman from the edges of gateways.

The woman motif surrounded by lotuses and elephants, sprinkling water seems in Abhishekha mode has been identified as Maya mother of Buddha. James Fergusson called Sanchi stupa as place of tree and snake worship.

Q. Discuss the developments in sculpture  and  architecture  associated  with  the  rise  of  Shaivism and Vaishnavism?

Ans: - In Shaivism, Shiva is regarded as the chief god and was symbolized by the linga although he was occasionally represented in Human form as well. While as in Vaishnavism, Vishnu is worshiped as principal deity. With the passage of time various cults developed around the various Avatars or Incarnation of Vishnu.

The temples were built to house Images of these two gods. The earliest temples had a small square room called Garbha griha which had single door way for the worshipper to enter and offer worship to the image. Later a tall structure known as Shikhar was built over the central shrine. Temple walls came to be decorated with sculptures. Temples also became more elaborate with assembly halls, huge walls and gate ways. For example the Brihadeshwara temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple is 65 meters high and is built in a way that its shadow does not fall on the ground. The most striking feature is its 57 meter high Vimana. The kailashnatha temple was cut from single piece of rock and has been dedicated to Shiva. The Ten avatars of Lord Vishnu have been depicted n various sculptures. For example Varaha or Boar Avatar of Vishnu rescuing the earth goddess is to be found in Aihole. The Vithala temple situated at Hampi dedicated to Vishnu had many buildings, Kalyan Mandapa and Amman shrine.

Q. Discuss how and why Stupas were built?

Ans. A stupa is a mound like domical structure of bricks or stone masonry was particularly associated with Buddhism. The Stupas were the sacred places. The stupa was a conventional representation of funeral tumults, evolved out of earthen funerary mounds, in which the ashes of dead were buried. Inscription found on the railings and pillars of stupas record donations made by kings such as the Satavahanas; guilds who financed ivory workers of one of the gateways at Sanchi, by women and men who mention their names and Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis for building and decorating them.

Stupa is a Sanskrit word meaning heap. Stupa originated as a semi-circular mound of earth called as Anda. Generally it evolved more complex structure balancing round and square shapes. Above Anda is Harmika (balcony) representing the abode of gods and yasht often surrounded by an umbrella. Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from secular world. Stupas were built for many reasons -

1. There were other places too that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or object used by him were buried there. These were mounds known as stupas.

2. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre- Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism.

3. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism.

4. By the second century, a number of stupas, including those at Bharhut, Sanchi and Sarnath had been built.

Q1. Mention four places associated with the life of the Buddha. 

Ans.1. Lumbini (birthplace of the Buddha)

1. Kapilvastu (Buddha was brought up here)

2. Bodh Gaya (Buddha attained enlightenment here)

3. Sarnath- (the Buddha delivered his first religious discourse here).

4. Kusinagra- (Nirvana or death of Buddha)

Q2. What do you mean by Tri –ratna?

Ans- According to Jainism, Moksha or salvation can be attained by observing Tri- ratna or three jewels. These are: 1. Right Knowledge 2. Right Faith 3. Right Action

Q. Name three Buddhist Pitaks?

Ans: The Buddhist sacred books are three Pitaks i.e, Sutta Pitak and Vinaya Pitak compiled by Buddha’s disciple’s Ananda and Upali in second Buddhist Council held at Vaishali, and Abhidhama Pitak compiled during Asoka’s rule.

Q. Buddhist Sects?

Ans: Hinayana (orthodox) and Mahayana (Liberals)

Q. Buddhist councils?

Ans: (i) first council in 486 BC Rajgir presided by Mahakassyapa

(ii) 4th Buddhist council was held at Kundalavan Kashmir Presided by Vasumitra.

Q. Jain councils?

Ans: - Approximately 300 BC at patliputra presided by Sthoolbadra during the period of Chandra Gupta Maurya.

Q. Jain Sects?

Ans: - Digambaras (Sky clad or Naked) Svetambaras ( White clad ) Q4. What do you mean by “Dharma Chakra Pravartana”?

Ans- Dharma Chakra Pravartana means ‘sitting in motion the wheel of Dharma’. The first religious discourse or sermon delivered by Mahatma Buddha after attaining enlightenment at Deer Park of Sarnath near Varanasi, is known as ‘Maha chakra Pravartana’.

Q5. Mention the various incarnations of Vishnu according to Vaishnavism.

Ans. According to Vaishnavism there are ten incarnations of Vishnu. These are: Matsya, Kurma, Varsha, Narsimha, Vamana, Parsurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.

Q. Who was the Tathagatta? What had he told about the importance of the stupa?

Ans. Tathagatta was another name for the Buddha. He told Ananda that the honour to his worldly remains was not important. He laid stress on the importance of one’s good deeds. The stupas should be erected on the holy places. If anybody placed garlands or perfume or saluted them, he will not only get the peace of mind but also profit and joy.

Q. Name any three places where the Stupas have been built?

Ans. The stupas were built at many places. The most important stupas existed at Amravati, Sanchi and Sarnath.

Q. By whom Sanchi Stupa was built? What are its distinctive features?

Ans: Sanchi Stupa was built by Ashoka in 3rd Century BC. The gateways at four cardinal points with lively and beautiful carved panels depicting the scenes from the life of Lord Buddha are its distinctive features.

Q. What is Chaitya?

Ans: - Chaitya is perhaps derived from the word Chita meaning a funeral pyre, and by extension funerary mound.

Q. How Stupa’s were built?

Ans: - Stupa is a Sanskrit word meaning heap. Stupa originated as a semi-circular mound of earth called as Anda. Generally it evolved more complex structure balancing round and square shapes. Above Anda is Harmika (balcony) representing the abode of gods and yasht often surrounded by an umbrella. Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from secular world.

Q. What is Katurghashala?

Ans: Katurgashala literally means a hut with pointed roof where travelling mendicants held discussions on philosophical ideas like nature of ultimate reality.

Q. What are known as Elliot marbles?

Ans: In 1854 Walter Elliot the commissioner of Guntur Andhra Pradesh took several sculptural panels from Amravati Stupa to madras. These panels are known as Elliot Marbles.

Q. Bhikkhus and Bhikkhuni?

Ans: The members of Buddhist organisation (Sangha) are called Bhikkhus (Monk) and Bhikkhuni (Nun)

Q. Bodhisattva?

Ans: - In Mahayana Buddhism a person who is on the path of Budhahood but has not yet attained it.

Q. Hagiography?

Ans: - Hagiography is the biography of saints or religious leaders. Hagiographies are often written in praise of saints and may or may not be true.

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