Exercises
Let’s recall
Question 1:
Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.
Solution 1:
Buddha tried two basic ways to spread his message to the people:
He used prakrit since it was a language of the common people so he could spread his message to large no. of people.
He gave the message to think proactively instead of following him blindly.
Question 2:
Write whether true or false:
(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices.
(b) Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time.
(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives.
(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman and brahman were ultimately one.
Solution 2:
(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices. False
(b) Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time. True
(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives. False
(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. True
(e) Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman and brahman were ultimately one. True
Question 3:
What were the questions that Upanishadic thinkers wanted to answer?
Solution 3:
They wanted to answer the following questions:
What is the true meaning of life?
What happens in the afterlife?
Question 4:
What were the main teachings of the Mahavira?
Solution 4:
Main teachings of Mahavira are:
People who wish to know the truth must leave their home.
The truth seeker must follow the rule of ahimsa. It means not hurting or killing any living being.
Let’s discuss
Question 5:
Why do you think Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of the Buddha?
Solution 5:
Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of Buddha so that she could take some lessons from the life of Buddha and we all know that he was a great thinker and his teachings are very important for our lives.
Question 6:
Do you think it would have been easy for slaves to join the sang ha? Give reasons for your answer.
Solution 6:
It was very difficult for slaves to join sangha as he has to take permission from his master for that. But he was not able to do so as he was always at the mercy of his master. They were not at all treated as human beings.