Q. Which of the following observations regarding Gana or Sangha is / are correct?
- Women, dasas and karmakaras could not participate in these assemblies.
- Both Buddha and Mahavira belonged to ganas or sanghas.
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
Answer:
Both 1 and 2
Notes: Gana is used for a group that has many members. Sangha means organisation or association. In a gana or a sangha there were not one, but many rulers. Sometimes, even when thousands of men ruled together, each one was known as a raja. These rajas performed rituals together. They also met in assemblies, and decided what had to be done and how, through discussion and debate. For example, if they were attacked by an enemy, they met to discuss what should be done to meet the threat. However, women, dasas and karmakaras could not participate in these assemblies. Both Buddha and Mahavira belonged to ganas or sanghas. Some of the most vivid descriptions of life in the sanghas can be found in Buddhist books.