Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
Great Thinkers and New Faiths — Exercise Solutions
Use this page alongside the official Samacheer Kalvi textbook. Solve every exercise question on your own first, then check the solutions below.
I. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQs)
Q1. What is the name of the Buddhist scripture?
- (a) Angas
- (b) Tripitakas
- (c) Upanishads
- (d) Vedas
The Tripitakas (three baskets) are the sacred scriptures of Buddhism — Vinaya Pitaka (discipline), Sutta Pitaka (discourses), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophy).
Q2. Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?
- (a) Rishabha
- (b) Parsva
- (c) Mahavira
- (d) Gautama
Rishabha was the first of the 24 Tirthankaras. Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara.
Q3. How many Tirthankaras were there in Jainism?
- (a) 10
- (b) 24
- (c) 5
- (d) 12
Jainism recognises 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers) from Rishabha to Mahavira.
Q4. Where was the third Buddhist Council convened?
- (a) Vaishali
- (b) Rajagriha
- (c) Pataliputra
- (d) Sarnath
The Third Buddhist Council was convened by Emperor Ashoka at Pataliputra during the 17th year of his reign.
Q5. Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?
- (a) Bodh Gaya
- (b) Sarnath
- (c) Kushinagar
- (d) Lumbini
Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (near Varanasi), known as Dharmachakra Pravartana (Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma).
II. Match the Statement with the Reason
Q1. Statement: A common man could not understand the Upanishads. Reason: Upanishads were highly philosophical.
The Upanishads contained deep philosophical discussions that were difficult for ordinary people to comprehend.
Q2. Statement: The Jatakas are popular tales. Reason: Frescoes on the ceilings and walls of Ajanta caves depict the Jataka Tales.
Jataka tales are stories about the previous births of the Buddha, and the Ajanta cave paintings beautifully illustrate many of them.
Q3. Buddha Viharas are used for: (1) Education (2) Stay of monks (3) Pilgrims' stay (4) Prayer hall. Find out the correct answer.
Viharas served as monasteries for monks to stay, centres of education, and places for prayer and meditation.
Q4. Consider the following statements: I. Sacrificial ceremonies were expensive. II. Superstitious beliefs confused the common man. Which of these contributed to the rise of new faiths?
Expensive Vedic sacrifices and superstitious practices alienated common people, leading them to seek simpler paths like Buddhism and Jainism.
Q5. Which of the following about Jainism is correct?
Jainism does not believe in a creator god. It holds that the universe has always existed and is governed by natural laws.
Q6. Choose the odd one out: Parsva, Mahavira, Buddha, Rishabha.
Parsva, Mahavira, and Rishabha are all Jain Tirthankaras, while Buddha is the founder of Buddhism.
Q7. Find the wrong pair:
- (a) Ahimsa — not to injure
- (b) Satya — to speak truth
- (c) Asteya — not to steal
- (d) Brahmacharya — married status
Brahmacharya means celibacy or chastity, not married status. This is the wrong pair.
Q8. All of the following are true about Siddhartha Gautama except:
- (a) He founded Buddhism
- (b) He was born in Lumbini
- (c) He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya
- (d) He is the founder of Hinduism
Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism, not Hinduism. Hinduism evolved over thousands of years and has no single founder.
III. Fill in the Blanks
1. The doctrine of Mahavira is called Triratnas (Three Jewels).
2. Nirvana is a state of freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
3. Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) was the founder of Buddhism.
4. Thiruparthikundram, a village in Kanchipuram, was once called Jina Kanchi.
5. Stupas were built over the remains of Buddha's body.
IV. True or False (with Corrections)
Q1. Buddha believed in Karma.
Buddha taught that actions (Karma) have consequences — good deeds lead to good outcomes and bad deeds lead to suffering.
Q2. Buddha had faith in the caste system.
Correction: Buddha rejected the caste system. He believed that a person's worth is determined by their actions, not by birth.
Q3. Gautama Swami compiled the teachings of Mahavira.
Gautama Swami, the chief disciple of Mahavira, compiled his teachings into the Jain scriptures known as Angas.
Q4. Viharas are temples.
Correction: Viharas are monasteries or dwelling places for Buddhist monks, not temples. Temples are called Chaityas.
Q5. Emperor Ashoka followed Buddhism.
After the Kalinga war, Ashoka embraced Buddhism and devoted his life to spreading the teachings of the Buddha.
V. Match the Following
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angas | (a) Vardhamana | (e) Jain text |
| 2 | Mahavira | (b) monks | (a) Vardhamana |
| 3 | Buddha | (c) Buddhist shrine | (d) Sakyamuni |
| 4 | Chaitya | (d) Sakyamuni | (c) Buddhist shrine |
| 5 | Bhikshus | (e) Jain text | (b) monks |
VI. Very Short Answer Questions
Q1. What are the Triratnas of Jainism?
Q2. Name the two sects of Buddhism.
Q3. What does Jina mean?
Q4. Mention the common features of Jainism and Buddhism.
Q5. What is the Buddhist Sangha?
Q6. Name the Chinese traveller who visited Kanchipuram in the 7th century CE.
Q7. Name the female Jain monk mentioned in Silapathikaram.
VII. Short Answer Questions
Q1. Explain the Eight-fold Path of Buddhism.
| # | Path | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right View | Understanding the Four Noble Truths |
| 2 | Right Intention | Developing good and kind thoughts |
| 3 | Right Speech | Speaking truthfully and kindly |
| 4 | Right Action | Doing good deeds, avoiding harm |
| 5 | Right Livelihood | Earning a living honestly without harming others |
| 6 | Right Effort | Making consistent effort to overcome evil |
| 7 | Right Mindfulness | Being aware of one's thoughts and actions |
| 8 | Right Concentration | Practising meditation to focus the mind |
Q2. Explain the five important rules of conduct in Jainism (Anuvratas).
1. Ahimsa (Non-violence) — Not to cause harm to any living being, in thought, word, or deed. 2. Satya (Truth) — Always speaking the truth and avoiding falsehood. 3. Asteya (Non-stealing) — Not taking anything that belongs to others without permission. 4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity) — Practising self-control and purity in conduct. 5. Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness) — Not accumulating excess material possessions and detaching from worldly goods.
Q3. What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?
1. Life is full of suffering (Dukkha) — Birth, old age, disease, and death are all suffering. 2. The cause of suffering is desire (Samudaya) — Craving and attachment lead to suffering. 3. Suffering can be ended (Nirodha) — By eliminating desire, one can achieve liberation (Nirvana). 4. The path to end suffering is the Eight-fold Path (Magga) — Following Buddha's middle path leads to the cessation of suffering.
Q4. Differentiate between Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism.
| Feature | Hinayana | Mahayana |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Lesser Vehicle | Greater Vehicle |
| Buddha's status | A great human teacher | A divine being worthy of worship |
| Idol worship | No idol worship | Buddha images and idols are worshipped |
| Language | Pali | Sanskrit |
| Rituals | Simple and austere | Elaborate rituals and ceremonies |
| Salvation | Individual effort for personal liberation | Universal salvation for all beings |
| Followed in | Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand | China, Japan, Korea, Tibet |
Q5. What evidence do we have for the influence of Jainism and Buddhism in Tamil Nadu during the Sangam Age?
Evidence of Jainism:
- References to Jain monks in Silapathikaram — the female Jain monk Gownthiyadigal
- Reference to Aravor Palli (Jain school) in the epic Manimekalai
- Jain caves and inscriptions at Kazhugumalai, Kalugumalai, and Sittannavasal
- Thiruparthikundram (near Kanchipuram) was an important Jain centre, once called Jina Kanchi
Evidence of Buddhism:
- The Tamil epic Manimekalai is a Buddhist literary work
- Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram in the 7th century CE and noted Buddhist viharas
- A 100-foot stupa built by Ashoka at Kanchipuram is mentioned in records
- Buddhist viharas functioned as centres of education
VIII. HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)
Q. "Karma" — Name any ten good actions.
IX. Student Activity
Q1. Collect pictures of stupas and viharas and paste them in your notebook.
Activity-based — no textual answer. Students should find images of: Sanchi Stupa, Sarnath Stupa, Ajanta Caves, Karle Chaitya, Nalanda Vihara.
Q2. Mark the following on an outline map of India: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar.
Map activity — students should locate: - Lumbini — Buddha's birthplace (in present-day Nepal) - Bodh Gaya — where Buddha attained enlightenment (Bihar) - Sarnath — where Buddha gave his first sermon (near Varanasi, UP) - Kushinagar — where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (UP)
Q3. Draw the Dharma Chakra (Ashoka Chakra) and write the significance of its 24 spokes.
The 24 spokes of the Ashoka Chakra represent the 24 qualities of a person or the 24 hours of the day, symbolising that there is life in movement and death in stagnation. It is adopted on India's national flag.
X. Life Skill
Q. Visit a nearby Buddhist or Jain site of worship and write a short report.
Activity-based — students should observe the architecture, inscriptions, and prayer practices at the site and write a report.
XI. Answer Grid
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jain monks who wear white clothes | Svetambara |
| 2 | Meaning of Buddha | The Enlightened One |
| 3 | 24th Tirthankara | Mahavira (Vardhamana) |
| 4 | Who delivered Dharmachakra Pravartana? | Buddha |
| 5 | Number of Noble Truths in Buddhism | Four |
| 6 | Religion with Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path | Buddhism |
| 7 | Earliest Buddhist literature on Buddha's various births | Jataka Tales |
| 8 | Four places of Jain monasteries in Tamil Nadu | Kanchipuram, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kazhugumalai |
| 9 | One of the twin Tamil epics with Buddhist influence | Manimekalai |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing the founders of Buddhism and Jainism. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha). Jainism was propagated by Mahavira, who was the 24th Tirthankara — not the founder. Jainism existed before Mahavira.
2. Saying "Viharas are temples." Viharas are monasteries (residential places for monks). Chaityas are the prayer halls or shrines. Do not mix these up.
3. Writing "Ashoka was defeated in the Kalinga war." Ashoka won the Kalinga war. It was the massive loss of life and suffering that changed him, not a military defeat.
4. Confusing Hinayana and Mahayana features. Hinayana = no idol worship, Pali language, austerity. Mahayana = idol worship, Sanskrit language, elaborate rituals. Remember: Hinayana = Higher austerity (simpler); Mahayana = Mass appeal (grander).
5. Stating "Jainism believes in God." Jainism denies God as the creator of the universe. It believes in the authority of Tirthankaras and the power of the human soul to attain liberation.
6. Confusing the Triratnas with the Four Noble Truths. Triratnas (Three Jewels) belong to Jainism — Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct. Four Noble Truths belong to Buddhism — Suffering, Cause, End, Path.
7. Forgetting the difference between Angas and Tripitakas. Angas are Jain texts compiled by Gautama Swami. Tripitakas are Buddhist scriptures. Keep the religions straight for each set of texts.
Exam Checklist
Before your exam, make sure you can:
- [ ] Identify the founders: Buddhism — Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha); Jainism — Mahavira (24th Tirthankara)
- [ ] State the Triratnas of Jainism (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct) and the Five Anuvratas (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha)
- [ ] Explain the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold Path of Buddhism
- [ ] Differentiate between Hinayana and Mahayana (language, idol worship, rituals, salvation concept)
- [ ] Define key terms: Nirvana, Jina, Triratna, Sangha, Vihara, Chaitya, Stupa
- [ ] Explain the causes for the rise of Jainism and Buddhism (expensive sacrifices, caste system, superstitions)
- [ ] List the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitakas — Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma) and Jain scriptures (Angas)
- [ ] Describe the evidence of Jainism and Buddhism in ancient Tamil Nadu (Silapathikaram, Manimekalai, Kazhugumalai, Kanchipuram)
- [ ] Identify important locations: Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon), Kushinagar (death)
- [ ] Distinguish between Viharas (monasteries), Chaityas (shrines), and Stupas (relic mounds)
- [ ] Answer HOTS questions on Karma and the impact of new faiths on Indian society