‘Jainism has left its mark on the Indian thinking as a whole’. Support it with the messages of Mahavira.

OR

‘The Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories’. Explain the teachings with the incidents that changed the life of the Buddha

Mahavira was the 23 Tirthankara of Jaina tradition. He questioned the authority of Vedas and emphasized on individual agency. He gave a very simplistic notion of life and society, in contrast to the complicated and hierarchical structure of society composed by Brahamans.

According to Mahavira, the entire world is animated and thus possesses life; even stones, rock, and water. Non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals, plants, and insects, is central to Jaina philosophy. Jainism emphasizes the principle of ahimsa, that is, non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi was very much influenced by this principle. He propagated this idea and even carried out non- violent movements in the struggle for independence.

According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma. Asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from the cycle of karma. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world; therefore, monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation. Jaina monks and nuns took five vows: to abstain from killing, stealing and lying; to observe celibacy, and to abstain from possessing property.

OR

The life of Buddha was changed when he witnessed an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. He then realized that death and destruction of the human body are inevitable. And thus decided to renounce the worldly life and follow the path of truth and righteous living.

The teachings of Buddha were constructed from the stories contained in Sutta Pitaka. He convinced people through the power of persuasion and reason. He explained the inevitability of death to a grief-stricken woman who had lost her child. He spoke in a simple language that everyone could understand. According to the Buddhist Philosophy:

● The world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing.

● The world is soulless (anatta). There is nothing permanent and eternal in it.

● Sorrow (dukh) is intrinsic to human existence.

● Only when the person follows the path of moderation between severe penance and self-indulgence, he could rise above worldly troubles.

● Existence or non-existence of God is irrelevant to Buddhism. The world is the creation of humans.

● Humanity and ethical values are considered above everything.

● Buddha emphasized individuality and righteous action as the means to escape from the cycle of rebirth and attain self-realization and Nibbana, i.e, the extinguishing of ego and desire. This would thus end the cycle of suffering.