​Class 6 History Chapter 6 – New Questions and Ideas (Jainism and Buddhism) Question Answer

​Class 6 History Chapter 6 – New Questions and Ideas (Jainism and Buddhism) Question Answer​

Class 6 History Chapter 6 – New Questions and Ideas (Jainism and Buddhism)

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

Ans. The Buddha tried to spread his message to the people in the following ways:

1. Gautama Buddha conveyed his teachings in Pali, a language spoken by ordinary people.

2. He encouraged his followers to think over his messages instead of blindly following them. This helped his ideals spread further. The encouragement of free thinking meant that people could come to conclusions based on his ideas on their own.

Q.2 Write whether true or false:

1. The Buddha encouraged animal sacrifices

Ans. False - Buddha professed kindness to animals. He discouraged the practice of sacrificing animals.

1. Sarnath is important because it was the place where the Buddha taught for the first time

Ans. True - Sarnath is where Buddha taught for the first time after enlightenment. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

1. The Buddha taught that Karma has no effect on our lives

Ans. False - Karma means action or the work we do. Buddha believed that Karma affects our present and next lives.

1. The Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya

Ans. – True

1. Upanishadic thinkers believed that atman and Brahman were ultimately one

Ans. True - Atman means individual soul, whereas Brahman means universal soul. Those who followed the Upanishads believed that Atman and Brahman were the same.

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

Ans. The Upanishadic thinkers wanted to find answers to the following questions:

1. What happens after death?

2. Is there any life after death?

3. Why should sacrifices be performed?

4. Is there something permanent in the Universe which lasts even after death?

Q.4 What were the main teachings of Mahavira?

Ans.  The main teachings of Mahavira are mentioned below:

1. Those who wish to know the truth must leave their home.

2. Those who are on the path of truth must adhere to the principles of Ahimsa (Non-violence) very strictly.

3. One must not hurt or kill any other living being, as life is dear (very important) to all.

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

Ans. Anagha was travelling to Varanasi on a school trip. Sarnath is a place in Varanasi where Buddha taught for the first time after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. The story and message of Buddha were inspiring, and hence Anagha’s mother wanted her to know the story of Buddha.

Q.6 Do you think it would have been easy for slaves to join the Sangha? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans.  To join the Sangha, Children had to take permission from their masters, servants had to take permission from the kings, the wives from their husbands and the slaves from their masters.

It wouldn’t have been easy for the slaves to join the sangha because:

1. Slaves had little to no rights.

2. It was not necessary that a slave would get a kind master.

3. Since society, in general, depended on slaves to do their tasks for them, there was no incentive for masters to give permission for their slaves to join the Sangha.

Q.7 Make a list of at least five ideas and questions mentioned in this lesson. Choose three from the list and discuss why you think they are important even today.

Ans.

The ideas and questions mentioned in the chapter are the following:

Questions:

1. Is there a life after death?

2. What was Buddha trying to teach Kisagotami?

3. How did the beggar convince sages to share food with them?

Ideas:

4. One should follow the principle of ahimsa.

5. One should renounce worldly pleasure in search of the truth.

Discussion:

1. What was Buddha trying to teach Kisagotami?

Explanation: Kishagotami had lost her son, so she was taken to Buddha. He requested Kishagotami to get mustard seeds from a house where no one had died. She found no such house, as someone – a son, daughter, father, grandfather, or grandmother had died in all of those houses. Buddha wanted to convey to her that death is a part of the cycle of life and that nothing can be done to avoid it. One must not lose hope after losing a loved one. This teaching is very important even today.

2. How did the beggar convince sages to share food with them?

Explanation: The sages worshipped the universal soul. The sages shared food with the beggar as he proved that he, too, was part of the universal soul. This shows that we must respect every living being as we are all a part of the universal soul or Brahman.

3. One should renounce worldly pleasure in search of the truth.

Explanation: Both Jainism and Buddhism teach that in the search for the truth, one must reject all worldly pleasures and material wealth. Buddha believed that life is full of suffering and unhappiness because of our desires.

Difference between Jainism and Buddhism