Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q47 (IAS/2012) History & Culture › Ancient India › Mahajanapadas and Buddha Answer Verified

With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism ? 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas 3. Denial of efficacy of rituals Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: B
Explanation

Buddhism and Jainism share several core similarities as heterodox (Sramana) traditions. Both religions emerged as a protest against the authority of the Vedas and the dominance of the priestly class. They explicitly rejected the efficacy of grand Vedic rituals and sacrifices, making spiritual liberation accessible to all regardless of caste. However, they differed significantly regarding asceticism. While Buddhism advocated for the 'Middle Way'—the avoidance of extremities of penance and sensual enjoyment—Jainism emphasized extreme asceticism and severe bodily mortification as essential for liberation. Mahavira practiced severe hardships, whereas the Buddha renounced such practices after finding them ineffective. Therefore, only indifference to Vedic authority and denial of ritual efficacy are common to both, making statements 2 and 3 correct.

Sources

  1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti Movement in India > SUMMARY > p. 196
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
50%
got it right
✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 1996 · Q35 Relevance score: 5.32

Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism ? I. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment. II. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas III. Denial of efficacy of rituals IV. Non-injury to animal life Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

IAS · 2004 · Q26 Relevance score: 0.99

With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct?

IAS · 2017 · Q53 Relevance score: 0.44

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism. 2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2020 · Q72 Relevance score: -0.26

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CDS-II · 2017 · Q39 Relevance score: -1.29

Which of the following statements with regard to the heterodox sect between sixth and fourth century BC are correct? 1. The Jain ideas were already being circulated in the seventh century BC by Parshva. 2. Although Buddhism, and to a lesser extent Jainism, took account of the changes in material life and reacted against orthodoxy, neither of these sought to abolish the caste system. 3. The first female disciple of Mahavira is said to have been a captured slave woman. 4. Buddha held that nuns could attain spiritual liberation just like a monk and granted them an equal status in the mendicant order. Select the correct answer using the code given below.