Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 12 (Arts) History (Themes in Indian History) chapter “A History of Buddhism: Sanchi Stupa”. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Introduction
The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the religious and philosophical beliefs, practices, and literature of ancient India. It covers a wide range of topics, including the life and teachings of Vardhana Mahavira, the Buddha, and the religious beliefs of Vedic Hinduism. The chapter also discusses the development of sculpture and architecture associated with the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, as well as the growth of religions and new religious movements after Buddhism.
One of the key themes of the chapter is the importance of religious literature in shaping the beliefs and practices of ancient Indian society. The chapter discusses the Vedic religious literature, which includes the Vedas, Upanishads, and Brahmanas, and their role in shaping the religious beliefs and practices of ancient India. It also explores the Puranas, which are a storehouse of Indian philosophy and ancient Aryan history, and their role in propagating religion and morals and creating the fear of God in the minds of people.
Another important theme of the chapter is the role of religious institutions and practices in shaping the social and cultural norms of ancient Indian society. The chapter discusses the Ashram system, which divided an average man’s life into four Ashrams or periods, each of twenty-five years plan, and the rigorous discipline that was expected of individuals during each period. It also explores the Sangha, which was a community of Buddhist monks and nuns who renounced worldly life and dedicated themselves to the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
The chapter also provides a detailed account of the development of sculpture and architecture associated with the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism. It discusses the construction of stupas, which were built to enshrine the relics of the Buddha and other important Buddhist figures, and their role in promoting the spread of Buddhism. The chapter also explores the important features of the Sanchi Stupa, which is one of the most famous and well-preserved stupas in India.
In addition to providing a detailed account of the religious and philosophical beliefs and practices of ancient India, the chapter also includes a number of activities and discussion questions designed to help students engage with the material. These activities include collecting pictures of sculptures, paintings, and stupas described in the chapter and discussing their features and importance with a teacher, as well as describing the buildings used for religious activities today and comparing them with early stupas and temples.
Video tutorial
Textual questions and answers
Very Short Answer Type Questions
1. Give any two features of the Vedic religion.
Answer: Ritualistic worship of nature gods and the importance of sacrifices.
2. Name the six schools of Hindu philosophy.
Answer: Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshik, Purvamimansa, Uttar Mimansa.
3. What was the motive behind offering sacrifices?
Answer: To ensure the well-being of the community and to invoke the blessings of the gods.
4. What was the position of the priestly class in the later Vedic Age?
Answer: The priests held a dominant position, performing rituals and sacrifices which became more complex.
5. According to the Buddha, what is the root cause of all human sufferings?
Answer: Desire (Trishna).
6. Give any four names under which Lord Vishnu is worshipped.
Answer: Narayana, Hari, Vasudeva, Janardana.
7. Where is the Sanchi Stupa situated? Name the first foreigner who first discovered its ruins.
Answer: The Sanchi Stupa is situated in Madhya Pradesh, India. The first foreigner who discovered its ruins was General Taylor.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Discuss the Middle Path as preached by the Buddha.
Answer: The real message of the Buddha is to be found in the first sermon which he delivered at the Deer Park at Benaras. It contains the kernel of his doctrines. It set forth four noble truths. The first truth is that life is painful. The second is that pain is caused by trishna or desire, a constant craving for sensual delight, pleasures and material things. The third is that suffering could be removed by removing its cause, i.e., when a man is emancipated from desire.
2. How was the fate of Amravati stupa different from the Sanchi stupa? Explain.
Answer: While the stupa at Amravati was discovered before the one at Sanchi, it was not preserved as well. By the time Sanchi was discovered in the nineteenth century, three of its four gateways were still standing and the fourth was lying on the spot. The mound was in good condition, though the railing had partly fallen. At Amravati, several factors were responsible for the ruin of the stupa.
3. What are dissimilarities between the Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism?
Answer: After the death of the Buddha, differences arose among his followers on the questions of discipline for monks and nuns and the significance of what he taught. This led to the Great Schism, and in the first century AD, Buddhist Sangha was split into two branches: Hinayana “The Little Wheel” and Mahayana “The Great Wheel”. The Mahayana relaxed the rules of monastic discipline to make it more popular and practical. It even adopted idol worship to attract followers. On the other hand, the Hinayana clung to the old orthodox rules of monasteries.
4. What is the most popular contribution of Sanchi to the twentieth century of iconography?
Answer: The most popular contribution of Sanchi to the twentieth century is the discovery of the Sanchi stupa, which provides a detailed insight into the development of Buddhist art and architecture. Its gateways and railings are extensively adorned with sculptures that depict various scenes from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations.
5. Describe the structure of gateway of the Sanchi Stupa.
Answer: The gateways of Sanchi Stupa, also known as toranas, are elaborately decorated with sculptures depicting various events from the life of the Buddha and the Jataka tales. These gateways consist of two square pillars crowned by capitals of sculptured animals or dwarfs, surmounted by three architraves. The sculptures are detailed and intricate, representing the zenith of Buddhist art in India.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. ‘Buddha laid stress on right conduct and values’. In the light of above message, explain his teachings on life.
Answer: The real message of the Buddha is to be found in the first sermon which he delivered at the Deer Park at Benaras. It contains the kernel of his doctrines. It set forth four noble truths. The first truth is that life is painful. The second is that pain is caused by trishna or desire, a constant craving for sensual delight, pleasures and material things. The third is that suffering could be removed by removing its cause, i.e., when a man is emancipated from desire. The fourth is that suffering can cease if one knows the right way.
- Middle Path: What is the right way? The right way is to follow the Middle Path for which another name is Noble Eightfold Path. According to the Buddha, too much of pleasure and comfort do not lead to happiness. Nor did living in forests like ascetics without food and shelter and torturing one’s body bring happiness. The right way of living was the Middle Path between these two extremes. By pursuit of this Middle Path or the Noble Eightfold Path a person can attain Nirvana which is the highest goal of a Buddhist. Nirvana is the eternal blissful state that knows no craving, no delusion and no death.
- Noble Eightfold Path or Arya Ashtmarge. The Noble Eightfold Path or Arya Ashtmarge consists of the following steps: (a) Right View of Faith means the knowledge of the four truths which the Buddha told in his first sermon. By having right views, man can distinguish between sin and piety, good and evil. (b) Right Belief. It is to be free from violence and desire. It is to renounce pleasure, to bear no ill-will and to do no harm to others. (c) Right Speech. It is to be polite and truthful. One should abstain from lying, slander, abuse, harsh words and idle talk. (d) Right Action. To do good deeds. (e) Right Living. To adopt a right means of livelihood. (f) Right Endeavour. Making right efforts to control evil thoughts and actions. (g) Right Recollection. It is right mindfulness, vigilance through self-examination and self-study. (h) Right Meditation. To concentrate the mind on right things is right meditation.
- Nirvana. By following the Middle Path one can attain Nirvana which is the highest goal of a Buddhist. It is a state of mind in which one knows no cravings. It will secure release from the chain of births and deaths.
- Karma. The Buddha recognized the law of Karma and its working. The man’s present and the next lives depend upon his Karma. It is based on the truth that what a man sows, so shall he reap. Everybody must reap the fruit of his actions. That is the Law or Dharma that works in the universe. Man is reborn due to his ego and desire whereas good Karmas free him from the cycle of rebirth.
- No Belief in God. According to most of the scholars, the Buddha does not believe in the existence of God. He always avoided discussion about God or nature of the soul.
- No faith in Yajnas, Sacrifices and Rituals. Buddhism has no faith in the performance of Yajna and sacrifices. It condemns the performance of Yajnas and sacrifices as useless.
- Opposed to Caste system. The Buddha emphasized the basic equality between man and man. The Buddha condemned caste system as a social disease. As a result, the Shudras and depressed classes were attracted towards Buddhism in large numbers.
- Emphasis on Morality: The Buddha preached that one should do good deeds and lead a highly moral and disciplined life. The most prominent features of his teachings were charity, truthfulness, forgiveness, love, benevolence and mercy on all living beings .
2. Discuss the development in sculpture and architecture associated with the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
Answer: The puranic Brahmanism was divided into several sects most important being Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism. The Vaishnavs worship the Supreme Being under such names as Rama, Krishna, Vasudeva, Narain, Parsuram, Vaman, Narasimah, Matsya Kumar, Virah and later on the Buddha. They all reject sacrifices and believe that salvation can be attained by Bhakti or devotion and loving faith to the deity. Vaishnavism cult developed around the various Avtaras or incarnations of Vishnu. Ten Avtaras were recognised within the tradition. The Avtaras were the forms that Vishnu was believed to have assumed in order to save the world whenever it was threatened by disorder and destruction because of the domination of evil forces. It seems that different Avtaras were popular in different parts of the country. Recognising each of these local deities as a form of Vishnu was one way of creating a more unified religious tradition. The other important sect of the neo-Brahmanism was Shaivism. It worshipped Shiva under various names such as Mahadeva, Maheshwara, Pashupati, Rudra and Hara. He was worshipped in the form of Linga and Yoni as well. Shiva stands as the emblem of renunciation much valued by Hindu saints and philosophers. The other important sect is Shaktism or the worship of the Supreme as Shakti or Devi. It developed from the cult of “Mother Goddess” of the pre-Aryans. It is a goddess of fortune worshipped under different names such as Lakshmi, Bhavani, Bhagvati, Gauri and Parvati. The terrible aspect of the cult of Shakti is represented by the goddesses- Chandi, Durga and Kali. The worship of these deities is still popular in the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir. A large number of temples and statues of Shakti found at modern places such as Naina Devi, Jawalamukhi, Kalka (Kalika), Shimla (Shyamala), Chandigarh (Chandi) and Ambala (from Uma or Amba), indicate the influence of Shakti worship. In addition to these deities, there were other minor sects which developed round the worship of Surya, Kubera (God of Wealth), Varuna (God of Cosmic Law), Indra (God of Gods) and Yama (God of Death). All these deities form parts of the puranic Brahmanism .
3. Describe the growth of religions and the new religious movements after Buddhism.
Answer: With the change in the socio-religious climate, new religious movements sprang up. We have little information about these movements except those of Jainism and Buddhism. But one such religious movement which influenced the society for some time was that of the Ajivikas. This religious movement was founded by an ascetic named Gosala Maskriputra, a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavira. The followers of Gosala were called Ajivikas. The word Ajivika means a person who follows some set principles of life. They were strictly fatalists and even thought that they had adopted the ascetic life simply because it was determined by destiny. They believed in niyati (destiny) which man was unable to counteract. There was a thorough-going determination denying the free will of man and his moral responsibility for any action whether good or evil. The Ajivika monks practised severe asceticism and came to look upon Gosala as “an affable divinity”. They developed the view that all change and movement was illusory, and that “the world was in reality eternally and immovably at rest.” They attracted the attention of the great monarch Ashoka. They received gifts of cave temples in the hills near Gaya both from Ashoka and his son Dasaratha. The Ajivikas never became a popular sect in North India and soon disappeared. But they continued to count some followers in South India.
Neo-Brahmanism was another important faith which emerged in the country. In order to save their religion from the opposition of the new faiths, the Brahmanism made modifications in its ideas and introduced some non-Vedic ideas into its faith while retaining its old features. This changed Brahmanism was called Neo-Brahmanism or Puranic Brahmanism. It had faith in the Puranas, Dharamshastras such as Manusmriti, Vishnu Smriti, the two great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana and the Puranas such as Vishnu Purana and Vayu Purana. It is also called Sanatan Dharma or Eternal Religion because the Dharamshastras and the Puranas are without beginning and are everlasting .
4. Trace out the growth of Buddhism. Explain the main teachings of Buddha.
Answer: Buddhism spread rapidly in India during the lifetime of Buddha. He received a warm reception wherever he went. Before his death, many powerful kingdoms had accepted Buddhism. After his death, Buddhism spread to countries like China, Japan, Korea, Indo-China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma. It deeply influenced the cultures of these countries.
Growth of Buddhism: Though Buddhism has few followers in India today, it greatly influenced Indian social, political, and cultural life. It led to the growth of numerous castes among Hindus, promoted vegetarianism, and emphasized non-violence, which boosted cattle wealth in India. Buddhism also made significant contributions to art, literature, and education, with institutions like Taxila and Nalanda emerging as major centers of learning.
Main Teachings of Buddha:
- Four Noble Truths:
- Life is painful.
- Pain is caused by desire (trishna).
- Suffering can be removed by eliminating desire.
- Following the right path can end suffering.
- Middle Path/Noble Eightfold Path: This path includes right view, right belief, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation. It avoids extremes of indulgence and asceticism.
- Nirvana: The ultimate goal, a state of bliss and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
- Karma: Actions determine future lives, and good actions free one from rebirth.
- No Belief in God: Buddha did not discuss the existence of God and focused on practical ethics.
- Rejection of Yajnas and Rituals: Buddha condemned sacrifices and rituals as useless.
- Opposition to Caste System: He preached equality among all people.
- Emphasis on Morality: Key virtues include charity, truthfulness, forgiveness, love, and mercy.
Buddhism shares similarities with Jainism, such as non-violence and rejection of the caste system. Both emphasize a life of purity and simplicity.
5. ‘In the mid-First millennium BCE, the religious thinkers tried to understand the mysteries existence and relationship between human being and the cosmic world’. Explain.
Answer: In the mid-First millennium BCE, the religious thinkers tried to understand the mysteries of existence and the relationship between human beings and the cosmic world. This period witnessed intense philosophical inquiry and the emergence of new religious ideas. Thinkers like the Buddha and Mahavira sought to explore the nature of human suffering, the cause of pain and the way to overcome it. They pondered over the nature of the soul, karma, and the cycle of birth and death. The Upanishadic philosophers delved into the concept of Brahman (the universal soul) and Atman (the individual soul) and their unity. This intellectual and spiritual ferment led to the rise of new religions and the development of rich philosophical traditions in India.
Competency-Based Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Consider the following statements: (i) Jainism was started by Rishabhdev. (ii) Lord Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism. (iii) Teachings of Jainism are given in Angar. (iv) Jainism started Sanghas to spread its message. Which of the given statements is/are correct?
A. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) B. (i), (ii), (iii) C. (i), (iii), (iv) D. (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: D. (ii), (iii), (iv)
2. ‘Monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation.’ According to Jainism, which of the following is ESSENTIALLY desirable to attain salvation:
A. being forgiving to other fellow human beings. B. live a free life from possessions and ties. C. follow the path of non-violence and truth. D. concentrate on performing karma.
Answer: B. live a free life from possessions and ties.
3. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (i) The Rigveda was compiled between 500 and 100 BCE. (ii) The Rigveda consists of hymns in praise of a variety of deities. (iii) The hymns from the Rigveda were chanted when sacrifices were performed.
A. (i), (ii) and (iii) B. (i) and (ii) C. (ii) and (iii) D. (i) and (iii)
Answer: C. (ii) and (iii)
4. Consider the following statements regarding Sangha. (i) Mahapajapati Gotami persuaded Buddha to allow women into the Sangha. (ii) Many women who entered the sangha became teachers of Dhamma and went on to become theris. (iii) Once within the sangha, all were regarded as equal. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
A. (i) and (ii) B. (ii) and (iii) C. (i) and (iii) D. (i), (ii) and (iii)
Answer: D. (i), (ii) and (iii)
5. Match the column A with column B. Column A: (i) Initial Stupa (ii) Oldest temple (iii) Spread of Buddhism (iv) Post Vedic Period Column B: (A) Around 3rd century BCE (B) After 3rd century BCE (C) Around 3rd century (D) 1000-500 BCE
A. (i) (A), (ii) (B), (iii) (C), (iv) (D) B. (i) (A), (ii) (C), (iii) (B), (iv) (D) C. (i) (C), (ii) (B), (iii) (A), (iv) (D) D. (i) (D), (ii) (C), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)
Answer: C. (i) (C), (ii) (B), (iii) (A), (iv) (D)
Case-based Questions
A1. How did Dhanavati date her inscriptions?
Answer: Dhanavati dated her inscriptions in the year 33 of the maharaja HUVISHKA, in the first month of the hot season on the eighth day.
A2. Why do you think, she installed an image of the Bodhisatwa?
Answer: She installed an image of the Bodhisatwa because it was an act of devotion and religious significance.
A3. Who were the relatives she mentioned?
Answer: The relatives she mentioned were her father and mother.
A4. What Buddhist text did she know?
Answer: She knew the Tipitaka.
B1. Vedic Sanskrit is considered to be important because:
Answer: (b) The Vedic verses were written in Sanskrit.
B2. Why were sacrifices performed during the Vedic Period?
Answer: (b) For the birth of sons.
B3. Assertion (A): Agni was the God of Fire in the Vedic tradition. Reason (R): Therefore offerings were made to Agni so that in the form of smoke they would reach the Gods living in the sky and invoke their blessings.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
B4. Consider the following statements: (i) Rig Veda consists of hymns in praise of Agni, Indra, Soma etc. (ii) Many of these hymns were chanted when sacrifices were performed.
Answer: (c) Both (i) and (ii) are correct.
B5. The above verses are composed in a special kind of Sanskrit known as:
Answer: (c) Vedic Sanskrit.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. What was the primary deity worshipped by the early Aryans as the chief of gods?
A. Indra
B. Varuna
C. Agni
D. Surya
Answer: B. Varuna
73. What notable element did later temples often include that early temples did not?
A. Stone carvings
B. Brick structures
C. Large assembly halls
D. Water supply arrangements
Answer: C. Large assembly halls
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. What is the Indus Valley Civilization also called?
Answer: The Indus Valley Civilization is also called Harappan culture.
103. What is an important aspect of the temple of Kailash at Ellora?
Answer: The temple of Kailash at Ellora is carved out of a single piece of rock and is enriched with endless ornaments. The polishing of the stones is excellent.
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