New Questions and Ideas Class 6 Extra Questions Social Science History Chapter 7
NCERT Extra Questions for Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 7 New Questions and Ideas
New Questions and Ideas Class 6 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type
- Some kings in Mahajanapadas were growing more powerful.
- New cities were developing and life was changing in the villages as well.
New Questions and Ideas Class 6 Extra Questions Short Answer Type
1. When Gautma Buddha was a young man, he left the comforts of his home in search of knowledge. He wandered for several years, meeting and holding discussions with other thinkers (philosophers). He finally decided to find his own path to realization, and meditated for days on end under a peepal free at Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment. After that, he was known as the Buddha or the wise one.
2. After attaining enlightenment Buddha went to Samath, near Varanasi, where he taught for the first time. He spent the rest of his life travelling on foot, going from place to place, teaching people, till he passed away at Kushinara.
- Vardhamana Mahavira was a Kshatriya prince of the Lichchhavis, a group that was part of the Vajji Sangha.
- At the age of thirty, Mahavira left home and went to live in a forest. For twelve years he led a hard and lonely life, at the end of which he attained enlightenment.
- The teachings of Mahavira and his followers were written down at a place called Valabhi, in Gujarat, about 1500 years ago.
| Dates | Events |
| 1. About 2500 years ago | Upanishadic thinkers, the Jain teacher, Mahavira and the Buddha lived and preached. |
| 2. About 1500 years ago | Writing down of the Jain texts. |
New Questions and Ideas Class 6 Extra Questions Long Answer Type
- The Buddha taught that life is full of suffering and unhappiness. This is caused because we have cravings and desires (which cannot be fulfilled).
- Sometimes, even if we get what we desire, we are not satisfied (permanently) and want (or desire) even more and more (or other things). The Buddha described this as thirst or tanha.
- The Buddha taught that thirst or tanha or constant craving could be removed by following moderation in everything.
- He also taught people to be kind and to respect the fives of others, including animals.
- The Buddha believed that the result of our actions (called Karma), whether good or bad, affect us both in this life and the next.
- He also encouraged, people to think for themselves rather than to follow simply what he (the Buddha) said.
- The Buddha taught in Prakrit, which was the language of the ordinary people, so that everybody could understand his message.
(b) Many ideas of the ancient thinkers were recorded in books called the Upanishads. These were part of the later Vedic texts (i.e., all three Vedas, other than the Rigveda are called the later Vedas).
(c) Upanishad literally means “approaching and sitting near” and the texts contain conversation between teachers and students. Generally, ideas were presented through simple dialogues.
1. The word Jaina comes from the term Jina, meaning conqueror. Followers of Vardhamana Mahavira, who were known as Jainas, had to lead very simple lives, begging for food. They had to be absolutely truthful and honest. They were especially asked not to steal.
2. The followers of Mahavira had to observe celibacy. And men preachers had to give up everything, including their clothes.
3. Mahavira taught a simple doctrine: men and women who wished to know the truth must leave their homes. They must follow rules of ahimsa which means not hurting or killing living beings, very strictly.
4. The Jain Munnies had to cover their mouth and nose with a piece of cloth, ensuring that they did not breathe to kill small insects.
5. “All beings” said Mahavira, “long to live. To all creatures life is dear”. Ordinary people could understand the teachings of Mahavira and his followers because they used Prakrit.
- It was very difficult for most men and women to follow main principles (or rules) strictly as desired by the founders and preachers of Jainism.
- Nevertheless, thousands left their homes to learn and teach the new way of life, preached by Jainism. Many more remained behind and supported those who became monks and nuns providing them with food.
- Jainism was supported mainly by traders. Farmers (the main portion of India’s population), who had to kill insects to protect their crops, found it more difficult to follow the rules.
2. The rules made for the Buddhist sangha were written down in a book called the Vinaya Pitaka. From this book we know that there were separate branches for men and women. All men could join the sangha. However, children had to take the permission of their parents, slaves that of their masters, those who worked for the king had to take his permission and debtors that of creditors. Women had to take their husbands’ permission.
3. Men and women who joined the sangha led simple lives. They meditated for most of the time, and went to villages, towns and cities to beg for their food during fixed hours. That is why, they were known as bhikshus and bhikshunis. They taught others, and helped one another. They held frequent meetings to settle any quarrels that took place.
4. Those who joined the sangha included brahmins, kshatriyas, merchants, labourers, barbers and slaves. Many of them wrote down the teachings of the Buddha. Some of them also composed beautiful poems, describing their life in the sangha.
2. As time passed on, the supporters of the monks built temporary shelters for them in gardens or they lived in natural caves in hilly areas.
3. Then, several supporters of monks and nuns and they themselves, felt the need for more permanent shelters. These were known as Viharas (fagIt). The earliest Viharas were made of wood, and then of brick. Some were even dug out in hills, especially in western India.
4. Generally, the land on which the Vihara was built was donated by a rich merchant or the ruler. The local people came with gifts of foods, clothings and medicines etc. for the monks and nuns. In return they taught the people their teachings.
New Questions and Ideas Class 6 Extra Questions Multiple Choice Questions
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