NCERT Book Class 6 History New Questions And Ideas

CHAPTER 7

NEW QUESTIONS AND IDEAS

Anagha’s school trip

This was the first time Anagha was going on a school trip. They boarded the train from Pune (in Maharashtra) late at night, to go all the way to Varanasi (in Uttar Pradesh). Her mother, who came to see her off at the station, told the teacher: “Do tell the children about the Buddha, and take them to see Sarnath as well.”

The story of the Buddha

Siddhartha, also known as Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born about 2500 years ago. This was a time of rapid change in the lives of people. As you saw in Chapter 6, some kings in the mahajanapadas were growing more powerful. New cities were developing, and life was changing in the villages as well (see Chapter 10). Many thinkers were trying to understand these changes in society. They also wanted to try and find out the true meaning of life.

The Buddha belonged to a small gana known as the Sakya gana, and was a kshatriya. When he was a young man, he left the comforts of his home in search of knowledge. He wandered for several years, meeting and holding discussions with other thinkers. He finally decided to find his own path to realisation, and meditated for days on end under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where he attained enlightenment. After that, he was known as the Buddha or the Wise One. He then went to Sarnath, near Varanasi, where he taught for the first time. He spent the rest of his life travelling on foot, going from place to place, teaching people, till he passed away at Kusinara.

The Buddha taught that life is full of suffering and unhappiness. This is caused because we have cravings and desires (which often cannot be fulfilled). Sometimes, even if we get what we want, we are not satisfied, and want even more (or want other things). The Buddha described this as thirst or tanha. He taught that this constant craving could be removed by following moderation in everything.

He also taught people to be kind, and to respect the lives of others, including animals. He believed that the results of our actions (called karma), whether good or bad, affect us both in this life and the next. The Buddha taught in the language of the ordinary people, Prakrit, so that everybody could understand his message.

What was the language used to compose the Vedas?

Let’s recall

1. Describe the ways in which the Buddha tried to spread his message to the people.

2. Write whether true or false:

(a) The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices.

(b) Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time.

(c) The Buddha taught that karma has no effect on our lives.

(d) The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya

(e). Upanishadic thinkers believed that the atman and brahman were ultimately one.

3. What were the questions that Upanishadic thinkers wanted to answer?

4. What were the main teachings of the Mahavira?

Let’s discuss

5. Why do you think Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of the Buddha?

6. Do you think it would have been easy for slaves tojoin the sangha? Give reasons for your answer

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 6 History New Questions And Ideas