Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings Cultural Developments History - Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings Cultural Developments

Study the following statements regarding Buddhism carefully:

1. Buddhism grew rapidly, both during the lifetime and after the death of Buddha.
2. Buddhism did not give much importance to conduct and values.
3. Buddhism appealed to many people who were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices.
4. Buddhism laid much stress on superiority based on birth.

Which of the above statements are correct?

Which one of the following texts contains the teachings of Mahavira or Jaina Philosophy?

How do the principles of Jainism influence Indian thinking?

Why were the Europeans during the nineteenth century interested in the Stupas? Give two reasons.

How was the fate of Amravati stupa different from the Sanchi stupa? Explain.

Why are Buddhist Stupas said to be "stories in stone"? Explain.

Mention the internal functioning of the Buddhist Sanghas.

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:Buddhism in practice
This is an excerpt from the Sutta Pitaka, and contains the advice given by the Buddha to a wealthy householder named Sigala:
In five ways should a master look after his servants and employees ... by assigning them work according to their strength, by supplying them with food and wages, by tending them in sickness; by sharing delicacies with them and by granting leave at times ...
In five ways should the clansmen look after the needs of samanas (those who have renounced the world) and Brahmanas: by affection in act and speech and mind, by keeping open house to them and supplying their worldly needs.
There are similar instructions to Sigala about how to behave with his parents, teacher and wife.

1. In what ways should a master look after his servants and employees?
2. In what ways should the clansmen look after the needs of samanas?
3. Explain the main aspects of Buddhist philosophy.

How did Sutta-Pitaka reconstruct the philosophy of Buddhism? Mention about Buddhist Tipitaka.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follows:
Rules for monks and nuns
These are some of the rules laid down in the Vinaya Pitaka:
When a new felt (blanket/rug) has been made by a bhikkhu, it is to be kept for (at least) six years. If after less than six years he should have another new (blanket/rug) made, regardless of whether or not he has disposed of the first, then – unless he has been authorised by the bhikkhus – it is to be forfeited and confessed:
In case a bhikkhu arriving at a family residence is presented with cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may accept two or three bowlfuls if he so desires. If he should accept more than that, it is to be confessed. Having accepted the two or three bowlfuls and having taken them from there, he is to share them among the bhikkhus. Thus is the proper course here.
Should any bhikkhu, having set out bedding in a lodging to the sangha – or having had it set out – and then on departing neither put it away nor have it put away, or should he go without taking leave, it is to be confessed.

1. Name any two Buddhist texts in which the rules for the monks have been laid down.
2. Why were these rules framed?
3. What was the sangha? Explain.
4. State any three rules mentioned in the passage, for the bhikkhus.

Discuss how and why were stupas built?

"Many rituals, religious beliefs and practices were not recorded in a permanent visible form - as monuments or sculptures or even paintings." Critically examine the statement.

On an outline world map, mark the areas to which Buddhism spread. Trace the land and sea routes from the subcontinent to these areas.

Identify the following image and give it an appropriate title:
Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories found mainly in _________, one of the texts of Tipitaka.