Identify the correct statements in relation to ‘Buddhism and Jainism’:
A. According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is not transient and does not change constantly.
B. The Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories.
C. According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma.
D. The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → B, C and D only
A. According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is not transient and does not change constantly. Incorrect. Buddhist philosophy says the very opposite: the world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing. It is also soulless (anatta), as nothing in it is permanent, and sorrow (dukkha) is part of human life. One small “not” from NTA, and the Buddha’s teaching stands on its head. Look out for a “not” in every statement before you agree with it.
B. The Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories. Correct. His teachings have been reconstructed from stories, found mainly in the Sutta Pitaka. They were told in the language of ordinary people so that everyone could understand them.
C. According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma. Correct. For the Jainas, karma shapes the cycle of birth and rebirth. Asceticism and penance are needed to free oneself from it, and this is possible only by renouncing the world.
D. The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated. Correct. The Jainas believe that the entire world is animated: even stones, rocks and water have life. This is why non-injury (ahimsa) to all living beings is central to Jaina philosophy.
NCERT (2025-26): “3. Beyond Worldly Pleasures The Message of Mahavira … 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. In fact the principle of ahimsa, emphasised within Jainism, has left its mark on Indian thinking as a whole. According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma.… 5. The Teachings of the Buddha … The Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories, found mainly in the Sutta Pitaka. Although some stories describe his miraculous powers, others suggest that the Buddha tried to convince people through reason and persuasion rather than through displays of supernatural power. For instance, when a grief-stricken woman whose child had died came to the Buddha, he gently convinced her about the inevitability of death rather than bring her son back to life. These stories were narrated in the language spoken by ordinary people so that these could be easily understood. According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing; it is also soulless ( anatta ) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence.…” |