MAHATMA MONTESSORI SCHOOL

(Affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi)

Ch - 6 : New Questions and Ideas

I. Vocabulary:

1. Prakrit
2. Jainas
3. Siddhartha
4. Philosophy
5. Varanasi
6. Upanishads
7. Monasteries
8. Panini
9. Sakya Gana
10.Mahavira

II. Key Concepts:

1. Jaina - The term Jaina comes from Jina, meaning conqueror.

2. Monasteries - A place where monks live together.
3. Upanishads - It means approaching and sitting near.

III. Picture Talk :

1. Vardhamana Mahavira - The last and 24th tirthankara of the Jainas. He was
a Kshatriya prince of Lichchhavis, a group that was part of Vajji.
2. Gautama Buddha - He is called as Siddharatha, was born about 2500 years
ago. He mediated under Peepal tree at Bodh Gaya and attained
enlightenment.
3. Alexander the Great - King of Macedonia for 13 years. He created vast
empire from Macedonia to Egypt.
4.
IV. Very Short Answers:

1. What language did buddha use to teach?

Buddha taught in the language of the ordinary people that is prakrit, so
that everybody could understand his message.
2. Who was satyakama Jabala?
Satyakama Jabala was the son of slave woman Jabali. He was accepted
as a student by a brahmin teacher named Gautama.
 3. Why were monasteries built?
Sometimes the supporters and nuns felt the need of more permanent
shelters and hence built monasteries.
4. What were the viharas made of?
The earliest viharas were made of wood and then of bricks. Some were
even in caves that were dug out in hills, especially in Western India.

V. Short Answers
1. Write about vardhaman Mahavira.
He was the prince of the Lichchhavis, a group that was part
of the Vajji sangha. At the age of thirty, he left home and went to
live in a forest. For twelve years he led a hard and lonely life, at
the end of which he attained enlightenment.
2. What is the meaning of Upanishad?
The literal meaning of Upanishad is ‘approaching and
sitting near’ and the texts contain conversation between teachers
and students. Mostly the ideas were presented through simple
dialogues.
3. What does Vinaya Pitaka say about the Buddhist sangha?
According to Vinaya Pitaka, there were separate branches
for men and women. All men could join the sangha. But children
had to get permission from their parents and slaves from their
masters. Those who worked for the king had to take his
permission. Women had to get permission from their husbands.

VI. Long Answers

1. What were monasteries and viharas?

Both Jaina and Buddhist monks went from place to place
spreading the principles of their teachers throughout the year
except during rainy season. It was very difficult to travel during
the rainy season. During this season, their supporters made
temporary shelters for them in gardens or the monks stayed in
natural caves. With time the monks and nuns and their
 supporters realised the need for more permanent shelters and so
monasteries were built. These were known as viharas.
2. Explain the system of the ashramas and who were expected to
follow the ashramas?
The word ashram was used for a stage of life. Brahmin,
kshatriya and vaishya men were expected to follow the system
of ashrams.
They were to lead simple lives and study the Vedas during
the early years of their life (brahmacharya).
Then they had to marry and live as householders
(grihastha).
Then they had to live in the forest and meditate
(vanaprastha).
Finally, they had to give up everything and become
samnyasis.
The system of ashramas allowed men to spend some part of
their lives in meditation. Generally, women were not allowed to
study the Vedas, and they had to follow the ashramas chosen by
their husbands.
Picture Talk :

1. 2. 3.

________________ ________________ ________________

4. 5.
_______________ _______________

VII. Mind map:

Create a Mind map on Buddhism and Jainism religions.