Read the following excerpts carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The world beyond the palace:

Just as the Buddha’s teachings were compiled by his followers, the teachings of Mahavira were also recorded by his disciples. These were often in the form of stories, which could appeal to ordinary people. Here is one example from a Prakrit text known as the Uttaradhyayana Sutta, describing how a queen named Kamalavati tried to persuade her husband to renounce the world:

If the whole world and all its treasures were yours, you would not be satisfied, nor would all this be able to save you. When you die, O king and leave all things behind, dhamma alone, and nothing else, will save you. As a bird dislikes the cage, so do I dislike (the world), I shall live as a nun without offspring, without desire, without the love of gain, and without hatred ...

Those who have enjoyed pleasures and renounced them, move about like the wind, and go wherever they please, unchecked like birds as their flight.

Leave your large kingdom ... abandon what pleases the senses, be without attachment and property, then practise severe penance, being firm of energy ...
A. Name the text from which this excerpt has been taken. What is the language of the text?
B. What did queen Kamalavati ask the king to renounce?
C. Describe the main principles of Jainism.

A. The name of the text from which this excerpt has been taken known as the Uttaradhyayana Sutta. The language of text is Prakrit.

B. Queen Kamalavati asked the king (her husband) to renounce the world in the following words:

“If the whole world and all its treasures were yours, you would not be satisfied, nor would all this be able to save you. When you die, O king and leaves all things behind, dhamma alone, and nothing else, will save you. As a bird dislikes the cage, so do I dislike (the world). I shall live as a nun without offspring, without desire, without the love of gain, and without hatred...”

C. The main principles of Jainism are as follow:

(a) Ahimsa: The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated: even stones, rocks and water have life. Non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals, plants and insects is central to Jaina philosophy. Infact the principle of ahimsa, emphasized within Jainism, has left its mark on Indian thinking as a whole.

(b) Cycle of birth and Karma theory:

According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through Karma. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world; therefore, monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation.

(c) Achauriya (Do not steal): According to Jainism one should not even touch a thing, which is lying in the forest.

(d) Aparigriha: According to Jainism do not try to collect the things beyond your necessities. It will check on greed.

(e) Brahmacharya for salvation: Every one has to give up the worldly pleasure and had to go for sufferings before attainment of salvation. Even a married person can work on the principle Brahmacharya having self-control.

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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 any 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.
A. Which were the five ways through which Buddha wanted a householder to look after his employees?
B. How should clansmen treat Samanas and Brahmanas?
C. What according to you should have been the instructions to teachers?
D. What was the Buddhist sangha? Give any two features of the sangha?

Read the following excerpts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
[This is an excerpt from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, part of the Sutta Pitaka:]

As the Buddha lay dying, Ananda asked him: “What are we to do Lord, with the remains of the Tathagata (another name for the Buddha)?”

The Buddha replied: “Hinder not yourselves Ananda by honouring the remains of the Tathagata. Be zealous, be intent on your own good.”

But when pressed further, the Buddha said: “At the four crossroads they should erect a thupa (Pali for stupa) to the Tathagata. And whosoever shall there place garlands or perfume ... or make a salutation there, or become in its presence calm of heart, that shall long be to them for a profit and joy.”
A. Why were the stupas built?
B. What did Asoka do with the relics of Buddha?
C. Describe the structure of the stupas.

Thinkers, Beliefs And Buildings