The Jain doctrine that reality can be viewed from many different standpoints is known as
- A.Anekantavada
- B.Shunyavada
- C.Vijnanavada
- D.Kshanikavada
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, anekantavada. It is the Jain teaching that every object has countless aspects and that no single judgement can capture the whole truth. Its method of statement is syadvada, the sevenfold formula in which each assertion is prefixed by the word syat, meaning in some respect, and the parable of the blind men and the elephant is its usual illustration.
Option B, shunyavada, the doctrine of emptiness, belongs to the Madhyamika school of Mahayana Buddhism founded by Nagarjuna. Option C, vijnanavada, the view that only consciousness is real, is the Yogachara school of Buddhism associated with Vasubandhu and Asanga. Option D, kshanikavada, the theory of momentariness, is again Buddhist and follows from anicca, the impermanence of all things. In exams one term belongs to one faith, so never mix a vada across the two religions.
Read the full article: Buddhism and Jainism: Teachings, Councils and Exam Facts
Practice Questions
View allGautama Buddha delivered his first sermon at which of the following places?
- A.Bodh Gaya
- B.Sarnath
- C.Kushinagar
- D.Lumbini
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After his enlightenment the Buddha walked to the deer park at Sarnath near Varanasi and taught the Four Noble Truths to the five ascetics who had earlier deserted him.
Read the full explanation →The Fourth Buddhist Council was held under the patronage of which ruler?
- A.Ashoka
- B.Ajatashatru
- C.Kanishka
- D.Kalashoka
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The Fourth Buddhist Council met at Kundalvana in Kashmir in the first century CE under the Kushana king Kanishka, with Vasumitra presiding and Ashvaghosha assisting him.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following was the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism?
- A.Rishabhadeva
- B.Parshvanatha
- C.Neminatha
- D.Mahavira
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He was the twenty-third Tirthankara, a prince of Varanasi and son of King Ashvasena, whose emblem is the serpent. He is placed about two hundred and fifty years before Mahavira and gave his followers four vows: non-violence, truth, non-stealing and non-possession.
Read the full explanation →Which vow did Mahavira add to the four vows already taught by Parshvanatha?
- A.Ahimsa, non-violence
- B.Satya, truthfulness
- C.Aparigraha, non-possession
- D.Brahmacharya, celibacy
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Parshvanatha had prescribed four restraints, and Mahavira added celibacy to them, so Jain monastic discipline rests on five great vows: ahimsa, satya, asteya, aparigraha and brahmacharya.
Read the full explanation →The Abhidhamma Pitaka was compiled at which Buddhist council?
- A.First council at Rajgriha
- B.Second council at Vaishali
- C.Third council at Pataliputra
- D.Fourth council in Kashmir
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Held in the reign of Ashoka under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa, it purged the order of dissenters, added the Abhidhamma Pitaka, the philosophical third basket, to the canon, and decided to send missionaries to Sri Lanka and other lands.
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