Jainism Quiz

Notes:
Statement 2 is incorrect because muscularity and wavy hair are characteristic of the Gandhara School, not the Mathura School. Mathura images appear fleshy and are made from locally available red sandstone. The Mathura School produced images for Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism; introduced the Abhaya Mudra in Buddhist iconography; and the Yaksha and Yakshini figures from Mauryan/Post-Mauryan times influenced later divine idol styles.

Notes:
The correct answer is [B] 2 only. This question tests your knowledge of the various schools of thought that emerged within ancient Indian religions, specifically Buddhism.

• Sautrantika and Sammitiya (Statement 1 – Incorrect): Both Sautrantika and Sammitiya were sub-sects of Buddhism, not Jainism.
  • The Sautrantikas were an early Buddhist school that branched off from the Sarvastivadins. They believed that only the Sutras (discourses of the Buddha) were authoritative, rejecting the Abhidhamma.
  • The Sammitiyas belonged to the Pudgalavada (Personalist) tradition of Buddhism, which famously held the controversial belief in the existence of a “person” (pudgala) that persists through rebirths.
• Sarvastivadin Philosophy (Statement 2 – Correct): The term Sarvastivada literally translates to “the doctrine that all exists” (sarvam asti). Unlike some other Buddhist schools that believed things only exist in the present moment, the Sarvastivadins held that the dharmas (constituents of phenomena) exist in all three periods of time: past, present, and future. They argued that while the “state” of a phenomenon changes (becoming manifest or latent), its underlying substance or essence exists forever.

Key Distinction:While the Theravadins (Sthaviravadins) emphasized the momentariness of all things, the Sarvastivadins developed a complex temporal philosophy to explain how karma could function across different lifetimes if everything was strictly momentary.

School	Key Characteristic
Theravada	“Teaching of the Elders,” oldest surviving branch.
Mahasanghika	Precursors to Mahayana; believed in the supra-mundane nature of Buddha.
Madhyamaka	Founded by Nagarjuna; centered on the concept of Shunyata (Emptiness).
Yogacara	“Mind-only” school; emphasizes that reality is a projection of consciousness.

Notes:
The correct answer is [B] 2 and 3 only. Buddhism and Jainism emerged as shramana traditions in ancient India, challenging the established Vedic orthodoxy. While they shared several core philosophical rejections, they differed significantly in their approach to daily conduct and asceticism.

• Avoidance of extremes of penance and enjoyment (Statement 1 is Incorrect): This principle is exclusive to Buddhism. Gautama Buddha advocated for the Madhyamika (Middle Path), which avoids both sensual indulgence and extreme self-mortification. In contrast, Jainism believes in extreme penance and asceticism (including practices like Sallekhana or starvation) as a means to liberate the soul from karma.
• Indifference to the authority of the Vedas (Statement 2 is Correct): Both religions were nāstika (heterodox) schools. They rejected the divine origin and the infallible authority of the Vedas, which were the foundation of the Brahminical religion. They emphasized personal experience and the teachings of their respective enlightened leaders (Buddha and the Tirthankaras) over scriptural dogma.
• Denial of efficacy of rituals (Statement 3 is Correct): Both Buddhism and Jainism strongly opposed the ritualistic nature of the Vedic religion, especially animal sacrifices and elaborate priestly ceremonies. They argued that these rituals do not lead to salvation or the end of suffering; instead, they emphasized ethical conduct, meditation, and right knowledge.

Notes:
Surya Pahar in Goalpara, Assam, is known for ancient Jain temples and sculptures. It is an archaeological site with remnants of Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu artifacts. The Jain community in Assam is a declared minority and forms a small percentage of the population. Surya Pahar is among the few sites in Assam reflecting Jain heritage.

Notes:
Parshwanath was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, as per Jain tradition.

Notes:
Rishabhanatha, born in Ayodhya, is the first Tirthankara who founded Jainism and introduced key social and spiritual concepts.

Notes:
Mathura was a major artistic center from 2nd century BCE, known for early devotional icons across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, producing influential red sandstone sculptures.

Notes:
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct:

• Paryushana is central to Jain religious practice and emphasizes forgiveness and self-discipline.
• Samvatsari, the final day, is marked by seeking forgiveness, reinforcing compassion and non-violence.
• It is widely celebrated in Maharashtra. However, statement 4 is incorrect as Paryushana is observed by both Shwetambara and Digambara Jain sects, not exclusively by one.

Notes:
Karanja Lad, in Washim district, is called the “Kashi” of Jainism, known for its historic Jain temples, three Bhatarakas representing major Digambar Jain traditions, and unique ancient wooden carvings. It is also the birthplace of Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj and houses India’s first Jain Gurukul.

Notes:
Ceṭaka, leader of Licchavis from Vesālī and Mahāvīra’s maternal uncle, adopted Jainism. He aided the spread of Jainism through alliances and political influence in the 6th century BCE, and was an important figure in the Vajjika League.