UPSC Prelims 2012 Q22: Ancient History – Buddhism & Jainism
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to
both Buddhism and Jainism?
1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
What was common to Buddhism and Jainism?
| Feature | Buddhism | Jainism | Common? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment | Yes (the Middle Path) | No; Jainism demands severe penance | No |
| 2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3. Denial of efficacy of rituals | Yes | Yes | Yes |
More that they shared:
| Shared feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | 6th century BCE, in the middle Ganga plain |
| Founders | Both Kshatriya princes who gave up their homes |
| Against | Caste privilege and animal sacrifice |
| Language | Preached in the people's language (Pali, Prakrit) |
| Belief | Karma and rebirth |
Where they differed: Jainism holds that everything has a soul and stresses extreme ahimsa; Buddhism denies a permanent soul.
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Avoiding extreme penance is Buddhist, not Jain.
- (b) CORRECT. Both were indifferent to the Vedas and denied the efficacy of rituals.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is not common; Jainism prescribes severe penance.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 applies only to Buddhism.
Key point
Buddhism and Jainism both rejected Vedic authority, rituals and caste; only Buddhism taught the Middle Path, while Jainism stressed severe penance.
Remember
Common: no Vedas, no rituals. Different: penance.
Common mistakes
- Giving Jainism the Middle Path.
- Forgetting that both accept karma and rebirth.
- Thinking they differ on the Vedas; both reject them.
Exam tip
Middle Path = Buddha only. Mahavira chose the hard path.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part I, Ch 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings)
- R.S. Sharma — India's Ancient Past (Jainism and Buddhism)