Chapter - 4
Thinkers, beliefs and buildings
5 marks answer questions
Question 1. Were the ideas of the philosophers of the Upanishads different from that of the determinists and the materialists? Give reasoning in support of your answer.
Answer –
1. Yes, the philosophers of the Upanishads had different views from the fatalists and materialists. The main points of difference between them are as follows:
2. The determinists and the materialists believed that the happiness and sorrows of human beings were given in prescribed quantities. They cannot be changed in the world. Nor can they be increased or decreased. Intelligent people think that by virtue of virtues and penance, he will attain liberation from his actions. But it is not possible that man has to experience his happiness and sorrow.
3. Similarly materialists believe that there is no such thing as charity, sacrifice or offering in the world. The principle of giving is false and hollow. Nothing remains after death. Whether it is a fool or a scholar, both are cut and destroyed. The four elements of which man is made, they merge with the same elements of the world.
Philosophical Thoughts of Upanishads - There is no place for 'Atman' and 'Parmatma' in the above given thoughts. On the contrary, according to the Upanishads, the goal of human life is to merge the 'soul' with the 'Paramatma' (Param Brahma) and become the Supreme Brahman himself.
Question 2. Briefly write the important teachings of Jainism.
Or
"The principle of non-violence and renunciation given by Jain philosophy has influenced the tradition." Justify this statement according to the message of Mahavira.
Answer- Following are the important teachings of Jainism
(1) The most important concept of Jain philosophy is that the whole world is living. It is believed that life exists even in stone, rock and water.
(2) Non-violence towards living beings, especially non-killing of humans, animals, plants and insects, is the central point of Jain philosophy. Is. This principle of non-violence of Jainism has influenced the entire Indian thought. (3) According to Jainism the cycle of birth and rebirth is determined by karma. To get rid of this chakra, sacrifice
and penance are required. This is possible only by renunciation of the world. That is why for the sake of salvation, man should leave the world and live in monasteries.
(4) Jain sadhus and sadhvis used to observe five fasts: (I) not to kill (ii) not to steal, (iii) not to lie, (iv) to observe celibacy, and (v) not to collect wealth.
Question 3. Discuss the role of the Begums of Bhopal in the protection of the Stupa at Sanchi.
Or
the Begums of Bhopal played a very important role in the preservation of the remains of the Stupa of Sanchi. Justify this statement by giving suitable evidence.
Answer- The Begums of Bhopal made the following contribution in the preservation of the remains of the Stupa of Sanchi
(1) First the French and later the British tried to take the eastern archway of Sanchi to their respective countries. But the Begums of Bhopal satisfied him with the plaster replicas of the stupa.
(2) Shah Jahan Begum and her successor Sultan Jahan Begum gave funds for the maintenance of this ancient site.
(3) Sultan Jahan Begum gave a grant to build a museum and guest house there.
(4) John Marshall dedicated his important works written on Sanchi to Sultan Jahan. Begums invested money on their publication.
(5) The timely decision taken by the Begums saved the Sanchi Stupa from demolition. Had it not been so, then its condition would also have been like the stupa of Amaravati.
(6) The Sanchi Stupa is the most important center of Buddhism. This has greatly helped in understanding early Buddhism.
Question 4. Read and answer the following short inscription, in the thirty-third year of Maharaja Huvishka (a Kushan ruler) on the eighth day of the first month of the hot season, Bhikshuni Dhanavati, the daughter of Tripitaka-knowing Bhikkhu Bal, daughter of Tripitaka-knowing wisdom, took her With the parents installed the idol of Bodhisatta in Madhuvanaka.
(a) How did Dhanavati fix the date of her record?
(b) Why do you think he installed the statue of Bodhisatta?
(c) Which of her relatives' names do they take?
(d) What Buddhist texts did she know?
(e) From whom did he learn these lessons?
Answer- (a) Dhanvati fixed the date of her inscription with the help of the reign of Kushan ruler Maharaj Huvishka. This date is the eighth day (8th) of the first month of the summer of the thirty-third year of Huvishka's reign.
(b) Dhanavati was a nun. He had great faith in Bodhisatta. That is why he got the statue of Bodhisatta installed.
(c) They take the name of their maternal aunt Wisdom and their parents.
(d) She knew the Buddhist texts called Tripitaka.
(e) He had learned these lessons from his guru and monk 'Bal'. It is also possible that he may have learned some lessons from his aunt Wisdom who knew the Tripitaka texts.
Question 5. Why do you think men and women used to go to the union?
Answer- Men and women probably used to go to the Sangh because of the following things
(1) They wanted to stay away from worldly matters.
(2) The life there was simple and disciplined.
(3) There he could study Buddhist philosophy deeply.
(4) Some people wanted to become teachers (preachers) of Dhamma.
(5) Everyone had equal status in the Sangh, because after becoming a bhikkhu or bhikkhuni, all had to give up their old identity.
Question 6. To what extent does the knowledge of Buddhist literature help in understanding the sculpture of Sanchi?
Answer –
1.Sanchi Stupa is a wonderful ancient relic located in the state of Bhopal. This group of stupas includes a huge structure in the shape of a hemisphere and many other buildings.
2.A first glance a scene at the northern entrance portrays a rural scene, with thatched huts and trees. However, historians, after carefully studying the sculpture, identified it as a scene from the Vesantara Jataka. It is the story of a benevolent prince who gave everything to a Brahmin and went to live in the forest with his wife and children.
3. To understand Buddhist sculpture, art historians get acquainted with the biography of Buddha. According to Buddha's biographies, Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Many early sculptures depicted the Buddha's presence through symbols such as empty pedestals, stupas and chakras. Such symbols can only be understood from the traditions of the people who created these works of art.
4. It may be mentioned that one of the early modern art historians, James Ferguson, considered Sanchi to be a center of tree and serpent worship as he was not familiar with Buddhist literature – most of which had not yet been translated . Therefore, he came to his conclusion only by studying the images.
Question 7. Discuss the development of architecture and sculpture associated with the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
answer-
1. Architecture – At the time when stupas had come in their developed form at places like Sanchi, at the same time temples were also built for the first time to keep the idols of gods and goddesses. The early temples were in the form of a square room called a sanctum. These had a door through which the worshiper could enter to worship the idol. Gradually, a high structure was built over the sanctum sanctorum, which was called the Shikhar. Murals were often engraved on the walls of the temple. In the coming times, many new things were included in the architecture of the temples. Now huge synagogues with temples, High walls and pylons were also built. Arrangements for water supply were also made. , Some of the early temples were carved out of the hills and made in the form of artificial caves. The tradition of making artificial caves has been going on since ancient times. The oldest artificial caves were built for livelihoods by order of Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. , This tradition continued to develop in different phases. Its most developed form is visible to us in the temple of Kailashnath of the eighth century. In which the entire hill was cut and given the form of a temple.
A copper plate inscription shows that the chief architect (sculptor) of this temple was also surprised to build the temple. He expresses his wonder in these words, "Oh my God, how did I make this."
2. Sculpture- Many incarnations are shown as idols. Idols of other deities were also made. Shiva was made in the form of his symbol linga. But he is also depicted in human form in many sculptures. All these depictions were based on mixed concepts related to deities. Their qualities and symbols were expressed by their headdresses, jewellery, ayudhas (weapons and other auspicious hand held weapons) and sitting style.
Question 8. Why and how were stupas built?
OR
Describe how the stupas were built? (CBSE 2018)
Answer– 1. Why were stupas built?: The literal meaning of stupa is mound. Such mounds, in which the relics of Mahatma Buddha such as his bones, teeth, nails, etc.) or materials used by him were buried, were called Buddhist stupas. These were sacred sites for Buddhists.
It is possible that the tradition of building stupas predates the Buddhists, yet it became associated with Buddhism. The reason for this was the sacred relics that were kept in the stupas. Because of this they became a place of worship. Ananda, the most beloved disciple of Mahatma Buddha, had repeatedly requested the Buddha to take permission to preserve his relics.
Later, Emperor Ashoka ordered the construction of a stupa over the Buddha's relics in the main city. By the second century BCE, large stupas had been built at places like Sarnath, Sanchi, Bharhut, Buddh Gaya etc. Apart from Ashoka and many other rulers, wealthy merchants, craftsmen, categories and Buddhist monks and nuns also paid attention to building stupas.
2. How the stupas were built – The early stupas were simple, but with the passage of time their structure became complex. They started with a bowl-shaped earthen mound. Later this mound came to be called by the name of Anda. The balcony-like structure built over the egg was a symbol of the abode of God. It was called Hermika. In this the relics of Buddhist or other Bodhisattvas were kept. In the middle of the harmika was a wooden mast. An umbrella was made over it. There was an altar around the egg. It was now a symbol of keeping the holy site separate from the ordinary world.
