Which of the following statements are true about Jain philosophy?
(A) Stones, rocks and water have life.
(B) One cannot be freed from the cycle of karma through penance and asceticism.
(C) Monastic existence is necessary for salvation.
(D) The cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped by karma.
(E) Freeing oneself from the cycle of karma cannot be achieved by renouncing the world.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (C), (D) Only
(A) Stones, rocks and water have life. Correct. The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated: even stones, rocks and water have life.
(B) One cannot be freed from the cycle of karma through penance and asceticism. Incorrect. Jaina teaching says the opposite: asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from the cycle of karma.
(C) Monastic existence is necessary for salvation. Correct. Monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation.
(D) The cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped by karma. Correct. According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma.
(E) Freeing oneself from the cycle of karma cannot be achieved by renouncing the world. Incorrect. Freedom from the cycle of karma can be achieved only by renouncing the world; that is why monastic life was necessary.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.3 Debates and discussions … 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. Asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from the cycle of karma. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world; therefore, monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation.…” |