11. Consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: Anekantavada promotes the acceptance of multiple perspectives in philosophical discourse.
- Statement-II: Anekantavada is primarily a doctrine of non-violence in Jainism.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
[B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
[C] Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
[D] Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect]
Notes:Statement-I:- This statement is correct.
- Anekantavada emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accepting multiple viewpoints, fostering dialogue and understanding.
Statement-II:
- This statement is incorrect.
- While Jainism values non-violence, Anekantavada itself is primarily a philosophical framework rather than a doctrine focused solely on non-violence.
12. Sammed Shikarji was in news recently, with respect to it, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is a sacred text of Jainism.
- It is included in the Svetambara Pancha Tirth.
- It is related to the 1st Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 2
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 2]
Notes:- Sammed Shikharji is located on the Parasnath hill in the Giridih district of Jharkhand.
- The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara who attained moksha here.
- Parasnath hill is the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand.
- It is considered to be the biggest pilgrimage site by both the Digambaras and the Svetambaras sects of Jainism.
- Svetambara Pancha Tirth – According to beliefs of the Jain community, Shikharji is ranked as the ‘Svetambara Pancha Tirth’ or the five principal pilgrimage shrines.
- The Svetambara Pancha Tirth are Ashtapad, Girnar, Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu, Shatrunjaya and Shikharji.
13. Consider the following statements:
- Kharavela, a descendent of the Mahameghavahana, founder of Cheti dynasty.
- Kharavela was a follower of Jainism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- The Hathigumpha inscription in the Udayagiri hill, three miles from Bhuvanesvar in the Puri district, describes the achievements of Kharavela, a descendent of the Mahameghavahana, the latter being the founder of the royal house of Cheti or Chedi. It is difficult to unravel the exact relationship between Kharavela and Mahameghavahana nor is it possible to determine the number of kings intervening between them.
- Kharavela was an ardent follower of Jainism and made munificent provisions for the maintenance of Jaina ascetics.
14. Which of the following is/are correct about Chandragupta Maurya?
- Conquest of Gangetic Valley, Central India & Trans-Indus Region
- Megasthenes’ stay
- Patronage to Jainism.
- Alliance with Antiochus I
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 3
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:- Chandragupta (321-297 BC): Conquest of Gangetic Valley, Central India & Trans-Indus Region; Alliance with Seleucus; Megasthenes’ stay; patronage to Jainism.
- Bindusara (297-72 BC): Conquest of peninsula except Kalinga & south; Alliance with Antiochus I; Daimachus’ stay; patronage to Ajivikas.
15. Consider the following statements:
- Mahaviracharita dealing with the life of Mahavira is written by Hemachandra.
- Parisistaparvan is the biography of the earliest teachers of Jainism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- Trisastisalaka Purushacharita (lives of 63 best men) of Hemachandra, ranks as a Mahakavya among the Jainas. The book is divided into ten parvas and the last parva, Mahaviracharita, dealing with the life of Mahavira
- The appendix to this book, Parisistaparvan or Sthaviravalicharita is the biography of the earliest teachers of Jainism, whose names and order of succession may be regarded as historical.
- Lists of Jaina teachers are also furnished in various Pattavalis and their history in the Gurvavalisutra of Dharmasagaragani and the Theravali of Merutunga.
- The Prabhavakacharitra of Prabhachandra and Pradyumnasuri (1250 AD) gives the story of 22 Jaina teachers including Hemachandra himself.
16. Who among the following was/were patrons of Jainism?
- Chandragupta Maurya
- Kharvela
- Amoghavarsha
- Siddharaja
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:- Chandragupta Maurya was its devout patron.
- King Kharavela of Kalinga professed Jainism.
- Amoghavarsha became a Jaina monk in the latter part of his life.
- Chalukya king Siddharaja (1094–1143), also known as Jaya-simha, the popular hero of the Gujarat legend and the ruler of Anhilwara, and his successor Kumarapala were great patrons of the Jainism.
17. Consider the following pairs of participants in the first Parliament of world religion and respective religion they represented:
- Virchand Gandhi – Buddhism
- Anagarika Dharmapala – Jainism
- Alexander Russell Webb – Christianity
- Brahmo Samaj – Pratap Chandra Majmudar
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 4
[B] Only 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 4]
Notes:- Jain preacher Virchand Gandhi.
- Buddhist preacher Anagarika Dharmapala.
- Soyen Shaku, the “First American Ancestor” of Zen.
- Swami Vivekananda represented Hinduism.
- Christianity was represented by G. Bonet Maury.
- Islam was represented by Mohammed Alexander Russell Webb.
- Theism or the Brahmo Samaj was represented by Pratap Chandra Majumdar.
- The Theosophical Society was represented by the Vice-President of the society, William Quan Judge and by activist Annie Besant.
18. Which of the following comparison between Digambara and Svetambara sect of Jainism is/are correct?
- While Digambara believes in Sabastra Mukti, Svetambara did not believes in it.
- Digambara are not allowed to have any kind of possessions while Svetambara monks are allowed to possess 14 specified things.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- Digambara believes that women cannot achieve nirvana or liberation directly. They first have to reborn as a man for this.
- Svetambara, on the other hand, have a different opinion. According to them, women are equally capable of achieving liberation as a man. They believe in Sabastra Mukti. They believe that anybody can achieve salvation, be it a householder or a monk.
- Digambara believes that in order to achieve nirvana or liberation, one must renounce everything including clothes. Therefore, Digambara monks are completely naked.
- Svetambara, on the contrary, believes that practice of nudity is not essential to attain liberation. Therefore, they wear white clothes.
- Digambara monks are not allowed to have any kind of possessions while Svetambara monks are allowed to possess 14 specified things
- Svetambara idols of Tirthankars are decorated with jewels, wearing loincloth with prominent staring eyes.
- However, Digambara idols are naked, undecorated with downcast eyes.
19. Which of the following pairs of religious texts and associated religions is/are matched correctly?
- Milind Panha – Buddhism
- Tanakh – Islamism
- Agamas – Jainism
- Aranyakas – Hinduism
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 1, 3 & 4
[C] Only 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 3 & 4]
Notes:
The Milinda Pañha, a Buddhist text from 100 BC to 200 AD, records a dialogue between sage Nagasena and Indo-Greek king Menander I. The Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, is the Jewish sacred text, with the Torah outlining Jewish laws. The Agamas are the canonical scriptures of Svetambara Jainism, compiled from the teachings of Mahavira by his disciples. Aranyakas are the concluding portions of Brahmanas, named for their association with forest reading, contrasting with the village-focused Brahmanas.
20. Which of the following is true for B.R. Ambedkar?
- He was the first person from his caste who completed his college education and went to England to become a lawyer.
- Later in life he converted to Jainism
- He is considered the father of the Indian Constitution.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] Only 1, 2, and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar (1891-1956) is considered the father of the Indian Constitution and is also the best known leader of the Dalits. Dr. Ambedkar fought for the rights of the Dalit community. Dr. Ambedkar was the first person from his caste who completed his college education and went to England to become a lawyer. He encouraged Dalits to send their children to school and college. He led many efforts of Dalits to gain entry into temples. Later in life he converted to Buddhism in his search for a religion that treated all members equally.
