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HUMAN VALUES IN BUDDHA AND JAIN DARSHAN (KOE-098)
B.Tech Semester VIII – Theory Answers
SECTION A
(a) Central idea of Buddhism Darshan
The central idea of Buddhism Darshan is the realization of freedom from suffering through right understanding, right conduct, and right meditation. Buddhism teaches that human suffering arises due to ignorance and desire, and liberation can be achieved by following the path of wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. The ultimate goal is Nirvana, a state of complete peace and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
(b) Trishna and Arahant
Trishna refers to craving or desire, which is considered the root cause of suffering in Buddhism. It includes craving for pleasure, existence, and non-existence. An Arahant is a person who has completely eliminated Trishna and attained enlightenment. Such a person is free from ignorance, attachments, and rebirth.
(c) Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path is the practical guideline prescribed by Buddha to overcome suffering. It includes right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. This path integrates wisdom, moral discipline, and mental development, leading to liberation.
(d) Fundamental negative emotions in Buddha Darshan
According to Buddha Darshan, the three fundamental negative emotions responsible for suffering are greed, hatred, and delusion. These emotions cloud human judgment, create attachment and aversion, and prevent individuals from realizing truth and peace.
(e) Dravya and six substances in Jain Darshan
Dravya means substance or reality that possesses qualities and modes. Jain Darshan recognizes six fundamental substances in the universe, namely Jiva (living beings), Pudgala (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akasha (space), and Kala (time). These substances together constitute the entire cosmos.
(f) Principle of awareness (not escapism) in Buddha Darshan
The principle of awareness in Buddha Darshan emphasizes facing reality with full consciousness rather than escaping from it. Buddha taught mindfulness and awareness of thoughts, actions, and experiences as a means to overcome suffering. This principle encourages acceptance and understanding of life as it is, rather than avoidance.
(g) Passions in Jainism
Jainism identifies four major passions that bind the soul to karma. These passions include anger, pride, deceit, and greed. These passions obstruct spiritual progress and must be controlled to achieve liberation.
(h) Panch-Parmeshthi in Jain Darshan
The Panch-Parmeshthi are the five supreme spiritual beings in Jain Darshan. They include Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu. These beings represent the highest ideals of spiritual purity, discipline, and knowledge.
(i) Samyag Darshan and Samyag Jnan
Samyag Darshan means right faith or right perception, which involves true understanding of reality without doubt. Samyag Jnan refers to right knowledge, which is accurate and complete knowledge of truth. Both are essential components of spiritual liberation in Jain Darshan.
(j) Commonalities between Buddha and Jain Darshan
Both Buddha and Jain Darshan emphasize non-violence, self-discipline, ethical living, and liberation from suffering. They reject blind rituals and stress personal effort, awareness, and moral conduct as the means to attain enlightenment or liberation.
SECTION B
2(a) Origin and basic need to study Buddha Darshan
Buddha Darshan originated in ancient India through the teachings of Gautama Buddha, who sought solutions to human suffering. The need to study Buddha Darshan lies in its practical approach to life, ethical values, mental discipline, and universal compassion. It offers guidance for achieving inner peace, social harmony, and moral responsibility in personal and professional life.
2(b) Sheel and Five Precepts
Sheel refers to moral discipline in Buddhism, which forms the foundation of spiritual practice. The five precepts guide individuals to refrain from violence, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants. These precepts promote ethical living, mental purity, and social harmony.
2(c) Doctrine of Karma in Jainism
The Doctrine of Karma in Jainism explains how actions bind the soul with karmic particles. Prakriti refers to the type of karma, Pradesa indicates the quantity of karma, Sthiti represents the duration of karmic bondage, and Anubhaga denotes the intensity of karma’s effect. Liberation is achieved by stopping the influx of karma and shedding existing karma.
2(d) Anuvrat and Mahavrat
Anuvrats are small vows prescribed for householders, allowing limited practice of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession. Mahavrats are strict vows followed by monks and nuns, requiring complete renunciation. Both aim to purify the soul and promote ethical living.
2(e) Jiva and Trasa Jivas
Jiva refers to living beings possessing consciousness. Trasa Jivas are mobile living beings classified based on the number of senses they possess, ranging from two-sensed beings to five-sensed beings such as humans and animals. Jainism emphasizes compassion toward all Jivas.
SECTION C
3(a) Law of impermanence and law of karma in Buddha Darshan
The law of impermanence states that everything in the universe is subject to change and decay. Nothing is permanent, including life, emotions, and possessions. The law of karma explains that actions have consequences, and present suffering or happiness is the result of past actions. Understanding these laws helps individuals detach from desires and cultivate wisdom.
3(b) Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths form the foundation of Buddha’s teachings. The first truth acknowledges the existence of suffering. The second identifies desire as the cause of suffering. The third declares that suffering can be ended, and the fourth prescribes the Eightfold Path as the means to liberation. These truths provide a complete framework for understanding and overcoming suffering.