CBSE Class 12 History Thinkers Beliefs and Buildings Cultural Development Assignment

CBSE Class 12 History Thinkers Beliefs and Buildings Cultural Development Assignment. Based on CBSE and NCERT guidelines. The students should read these basic concepts to gain perfection which will help him to get more marks in CBSE examination.

Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, Cultural

Developments

(600 BCE to 600 CE)

Key concepts in nutshell
♦ Buildings of sanchi Kannakkheda are the most wonderful ancient buildings in the state of Bhopal.
♦ Buddhist, Jaina and Brahamanical text, monument and inscription are the some of the important historical sources of the age of C 600 BCE-600CE.
♦ Many was provided by rulers of Bhopal, Shahjahan Begum and her successor Sultan Jahan Begum to preserved the ancient sites.
♦ The Rigveda is a collection of hymns, praise of many deities like Agni, Indra, Soma etc.
♦ The basic philosophy of Jainism already existed in north India even before the birth of vardhamana Mahaveera.
♦ Tha Bhuddha was the most influential teachers of his times.
♦ Two traditions were including in modern Hinduism – Vaishnavism and Shaivism.

QUESTIONS ANSWER –

Question. Mention four places associated with the life of the Buddha. 
Answer:
1. Lumbini (birthplace of the Buddha)
2. Kapilvastu ( the Buddha was brought up here)
3. Bodh Gaya ( the Buddha attained enlightenment here)
4. Sarnath- (the Buddha delivered his first religious discourse here).

Question. What do you mean by Tri –ratna? 
Answer: According to Jainism, Moksha or salvation can be attained by observing Tri- ratna or three jewels. These are-
1. Right knowledge
2. Right faith
3. Right action.

Question. Into how many categories the religious sects that originated during the 6th century B.C. can be divided? 
Answer: The religious sects of the 6th century. B.C. can be divided into two categories:
1. The faiths which were openly against Vedic religion,
2. The faiths which did not oppose Vedic religion openly but propagated new principles venerating one or the other old divinity.

Question. What do you mean by “Dharma Chakra Pravartana”? 
Answer: Dharma Chakra Pravartana means ‘sitting in motion the wheel of Dharma’. The first religious discourse or sermon delivered by Mahatma Buddha after attaining
enlightenment at Mrig dav or Deer Park of Sarnath near Varanasi , is known as ‘ Maha chakra Pravartana’.

Question. Mention the various incarnations of Vishnu according to Vaishnavism. 
Answer: According to Vaishnavism there are ten incarnations of Vishnu. These are: Matsya , Kurma, Varsha, Narsimha, Vamana, Parsurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.

Question. Mention the teachings of Mahatma Buddha? 5
Answer: 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 is intrinsic to human existence. It is by following the path of moderation between severe penance and self indulgence that human beings can rise above these worldly troubles.The Buddha regarded the social world as the creation of humans rather than of divine origin. According to Buddhist tradition, his last words to his followers were: “Be lamps unto yourselves as all of you must work out your own liberation”.

Question. What was the Budha Sangha? Discuss its characteristics. 5
Answer:
1. Budha founded organization of monks called “Sangha”.
2. These monks served as teachers of “Dhamma”. They believed a simple life.
3. They possessed only the essential things which were required for their survival.
4. Earlier only men were allowed to joined the ‘Sangha’, later on the women were allowed for admission to the Sangha.
5. All the members were regarded as equal in the Sangha.

Question. How Buddhist text were prepared and preserved? 
Answer: The Buddha used to give teachings through debate and discussion. Men, Women and children attended these discussions and discussed what they heard. None of his teachings were written down during his life time. After his death, his followers called a council of elders at Vaishali. This council compiled all of his teachings. These complications were known as Tripitaka which literally means the tree baskets to hold different types of text. Firstly they were transmitted orally and then written and classified according to their subject matter and length. When Bhuddism spread to new lands like Srilanka, other texts like Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa were written. Many Pilgrims like FaXian and Xuan Zang carried Buddhist texts with them to disseminate the teachings of Buddha.

Question. Discuss how and why Stupas were built? 
Answer:
1. Inscription found on the railings and pillars of stupas record donations made for building and decorating them.
2. Some donations were made by kings such as the Satavahanas; others were made by guilds,
3. Such as that of the ivory workers who financed part of one of the gateways at Sanchi.
4. Hundreds of donations were made by women and men who mention their names.
5. Sometimes adding the name of the place from where they came, as well as their occupations and names of their relatives.
5. Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis also contributed towards building these monuments.
Stupas were built for many resons -
1. There were other placestoo that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or object used by him were buried there. These were mounds known as stupas.
2. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre- Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism.
3. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism.
4. By the second century, a number of stupas, including those at Bharhut , Sanchi and Sarnath had been built.

PASSAGE BASED 
Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows – Why were Stupa’s built
“This is an excerpt from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, part of the Sutta Pitaka: As the Buddhalay dying, Ananda asked him: “What are we to do Lord, with remains of the Tathagata (another  name for the Buddha)?”
The Buddha replied : “Hinder not yourselves Ananda by honouring the remains of the Tathagata. Be zealous, be intent on your own good.”
But when pressed further, the Buddha said: “At the four crossroads they should erect a thupa (Pali for stupa) to the Tathagata. And whosever shall there place garlands or perfume …. or make a salutation there, or become in its presence calm of heart, that shall long be to them for a profit and joy.”

Question. What are the Stupas ? Who advised the Ananda to build the Stupa? 
Answer: The Stupa were the sacred places. They preserved the relics of the Buddha shch as his bodily remains or the objects used by him. All these things were buried in the stupas.

Question. From which chapter has this excerpt been taken? It is a part of which book? 
Answer: This excerpt has been taken from the “ Mahaparinibbhana Sutta.” It was a part of the
“Sutta Pitaka.”

Question. Who was the Tathagata? What had he told about the importance of the stupa? 
Answer: Tathagata was another name for the Buddha. He told Ananda that the honour to his worldly remains was not important. He laid stress on the importance of one’s good deeds. The stupas should be erected on the holy places. If anybody placed garlands or perfume or saluted them, he will not only get the peace of mind but also profit and joy.

Question. Name any three places where the Stupas have been built. 
Answer: The stpas were built at many places. The most important stupas existed at Bharhut, Sanchi and Sarnath.

Question. Why had Magadha become the centre of the new religious movement?
Answer:
(i) The people of Magadha responded readily to the Budhism
because they were looked down upon the orthodox Brahmanas.
(ii) The role of the rulers of the Magadha. They took keen interest on spreading the religion in India as well in other countries.
(iii) The wealth of Magadha also helped in spreading new religious movements.

Question. How far the Indian Rulers were responsible for the preservation of the Stupa of Sanchi?
Answer: The role played by Rulers of India special the rulers of Bhopal could protect the many monuments. The role of the kings of Bhopal for protection of Sanchi monuments is as under.
(i) In nineteenth century Europeans were very much interested in structure at Sanchi. In fact, the French requested Shahjehan Begum for permission to take,away eastern gateway, which was the best preserved, to,be displayed in a Museum in French. For a wle some Englishmen also wished to do the same but fortunately both the French and the English were satisfied with carefully prepared plaster cast copies and the original remained at the site, part of the Bhopal state.
(ii) The ruler of Bhopal, Shahjehan Begum and her successor Sultan Jehan Begum provided money for preservation of the ancient site. She funded the Museum that was built there as well as the guest house where she lived. She funded the publication of the volumes as well.
(iii) So if the Stupa complex has survived, it is in no small measure due to wise decisions of Begums and to good luck in escaping from the eyes of railway and to carry away to the Museums of Europe.

Question. Why do you think the Budha advised his followers to be lamps unto yourselves?
Answer: We think the Budha advised his followers to be lamps unto yourselves because he regarded the social world as the creation of human according to him is has no divine origin.
Therefore he advised rulers and chief of the families to be human and athetical according to him. Only individual efforts were expected to transformed social relation. It was also expected to lead to self realisation and nirbhan, literally the blowing out of the ego and desire, and thus and the cycle of suffering for those who renounced the world. According to Budhist tradition, his last words to his followers were "I am reaching the end to my life."

Question. Why do you think men and women joined the Sangha?
Answer: We think men and women joined the Sangha to study Budhism and its texts more systematically and regularly.
They wanted to become the teachers of the dharma. These Sangha were good place to lead to simple life in required environment. They desired to process only essential requisites for survival, such as a robe and bowl to receive food colleted once a day from the liaty, to whom they taught the dharma.

Question. Evaluate the circumstances which were responsible for the spread of Buddhism?
Answer:
(i) Appropriate atmosphere in 600 BC as many bad evils were practiced in the society.
(ii) Effect of royal family, people also followed the king.
(iii) Use of simple Pali language of common people.
(iv) The teachings of Lord Buddha were usual
(v) Kept away this religion from unnecessary expenditure
(vi) Away from casteism
(vii) Ideal preacher of this dhurma
(viii) Patronage by the state.
(ix) Boddh monasteries
(x) Acceptability of change.

Question. Explain the differences between the Hinyana and Mahayana sets of Buddhism on the basis of the concept of Bodhisata?
Answer: By the first century CE, there is evidence of changes in Buddhist ideas and practices. Early Buddhist teaching head given importance to self efforts in achieving nibbana.
Besides, the Buddha was regarded as a human being who attained enlightenment and nibbana through his own efforts.
Gradually the idea of a saviour emerged. It was believed that he was the one who could ensure salvation. Simulanetously the concept of the Bodhisata was also developed. Bodhisatawere perceived as deeply compassionate being who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others. The worship of images of t he Buddha and Bodhisattas became an important part of this tradition.
This new way of thinking was called Mahayana. Literally the ‘Great vehicle’. Those who adopted these beliefs described the older tradition as Hinayana or “the lesser vehicle”
Boddha dharm was divided into two different sects named Hinayana and Mahayana. The differences between them were the following :

Question. Assess the importance of Budhism for the enrichment of Indian culture.
Answer: The contribution of Buddhism to the enrichment of Indian culture was as below :
(i) Buddhism created and developed a new awareness in the field of intellect and culture. It taught the people not to take things for granted but to argue and judge them on merits. To certain extent the place of superstition was taken by logic.
(ii) In order to preach the doctrines of the new religion the Buddhists compiled a new type of literature. They enormously enriched Pali by their writings.
(iii) The Buddhist monasteries developed as great centres of learning and can be called residential universities.
Mention may be made of Nalanda and Vikramshila in Bihar, and Valabhi in Gujarat.
(iv) The first human statues worshipped in India were probably those of the Buddha. The panels found at Gaya in Bihar and at Sanchi and Bharhut in Madhya Pradesh are illuminating examples of artistic activity.
(v) The Gandhara and Mathura Schools of sculptures were purely based on the Bodh subjects and its culminated the art of Indian Sculptures.

Read this short inscription and answer :
In the year 33 of the Maharaja Huvishka (a Kushana ruler), in the first month of the hot season on the eighth day, a Bodhisatta was set up at Madhuvanaka by the bhikkhuni Dhanavati, the sister is daughter of the bikkhsi Buddha Mitra, who known the Tipitaka, the female pupil of the bhikkhu Bala, who known the Tipitika, together with her father and Mother.

Question. How did Dhanvanti date her inscription?
Answer: The first month of the hot season (i.e. summer) on the eighth day and in the year 33 of the Maharaja (i.e. the emperor) named Huvishkas

Question. Why do you think she installed an image of the Bodhisatta?
Answer: To show that Mahayana sect of Budhism was becoming popular day by day and Bodhisatta were considered impresent and great personality in Buddhism during the reign of the Kushana rulers.

Question. Who were the relatives she mentioned?
Answer: She had mentioned her own mother's sister named Buddhamita.

Question. What Budhist text did she know?
Answer: She knew the Tipitaka, the Buddhist text.

Question. From whom did she learn this text?
Answer: She learnt this text from bhikkhuni Buddhmita.