Tourism Chapter 9 – Culture and heritages in India–I: Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism

NIOS Class 12 Tourism Chapter 9 Solutions

INTEXT QUESTIONS 9.1

(i) Describe the significance of Banaras for Hindus.

Ans: It is the place where Hindus like to die to attain moksha (Salvation). It is also known for the temple of Lord Vishwanath (Shiva) as well as the centre of education.

(ii) Describe the sacred value of Mathura.

Ans: It is the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

(iii) Describe the religious heritage values of Dwarka, Puri and Somnath.

Ans: These are mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 9.2

1. Describe the main sects of Jainism.

Ans: There are two sects in Jainism 

• Digambara: the sky-clad who did not wear any clothes
• Swetambara: who wear white clothes.

2. Describe the significance of the Jain heritage site of Parsvanatha in Bihar.

Ans: 

• Mount Parsvanatha, in Bihar, one of the greatest places of Jain Heritage of unequaled sanctity is Mount Parsvanatha or Sametsikhara in Bihar.
• It is believed that here no fewer than twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankara left their last earthly bodies and achieved moksha.
• Large numbers of pilgrims come to this place and, after visiting every shrine, conclude their pilgrimage by walking the thirty-mile circuit of the base of the hill.

3. Why is the Jain temple at Mount Abu, Rajasthan, famous?

Ans: 

• Mount Abu, Rajasthan, is famous for the Dilwara Jain Temples which are masterpieces of Jain architecture.
• The masons scraped away the marble rather than chiselled it and are said to have been paid according to the weight of marble dust removed.
• There are two major temple complexes, one dedicated to the first Tirthankara and the other dedicated to Tirthankara Neminatha.
• Each temple complex stands in a rectangular walled area decorated with statues in niches around the circumference.
• Not only the temples but also the splendid panoramic view from 4000 feet above sea level make this site a remarkable showpiece as well as a place of Jain heritage site of deep religious significance, attracting innumerable tourists to Mount Abu.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 9.3

1. Describe the four noble truths of Buddhist philosophy.

Ans: Right belief, right conduct, right speech, and right knowledge.

2. According to Buddhism, how can a person attain Nirvana?

Ans: By following the Eight-Fold Paths, one reaches the highest goal of Moksha. Those eight-fold paths are Right Conduct, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Means of Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Meditation, Right Resolution and Right View.

Terminal Exercises

1. Point out the striking difference between Jainism and Buddhism.

Ans: 

Jainism	Buddhism
Founded by Vardhaman Mahavira	Founded by Gautama Buddha
Siddha Sila is the highest goal according to Jainism.	According to Buddha, desire is the cause of all suffering.
Mahavira preached the threefold path. This was the right belief, knowledge and aspects of true conduct.	Buddha preached the eightfold path –  right conduct, speech, action, means of livelihood, effort, mindfulness, meditation, resolution and view.

2. Explain the significant values of Hindu culture.

Ans: The Hindu way of life is quite flexible in all respects, as it accepts into its fold almost any god and all devotees. There is no dogma and no single god or religious leader. The colourful rituals and festivities are a way to interact with divinity, mostly in temples. Hindus often travel for pilgrimages to holy rivers, mountains and temples in all corners of the country. Hindus call

them sacred places, or Tirtha, and the act of going on a pilgrimage is called Tirthayatra. Tirthas are believed to be spiritual places, the meeting place of heaven and earth, the locations where one crosses the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth to reach the shore of liberation. 

For the Hindus, to visit the holy places is an act of great religious merit, once in a lifetime, for the attainment of salvation. Four of the holy places or mathas were established by Adi Shankaracharya, a great saint. Besides the establishment of these mathas, there were four Dhams, Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka and Rameshwaram.

3. Discuss any ten Hindu religious heritage sites in India.

Ans: 

1. Dwaraka: Dwaraka in Gujarat is a very important shrine associated with Lord Krishna. The city is located on the Western coast of India. It was the capital of Krishna’s kingdom and had some very important temples. The main temple is popularly known as Jagat Mandir.
2. Gaya is the place where it is believed that if rituals are performed here, the soul of the dead is supposed to attain salvation. Gaya is visited by many Hindus who wish that their ancestors may attain Moksha.
3. Haridwar: It is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand and is the place where the Ganga enters the plains. It is also called the ‘Gateway of the Ganga’. Haridwar is one of the most important Hindu pilgrim places of India. Haridwar has a very rich religious and cultural heritage. In the Hindu scriptures, Haridwar is known by the name of Mayapur. It is also considered to be the entry point, i.e. Hari ka Dwar, to the abode of God.
4. Ayodhya is one of the major holy cities of the Hindus. It has a central role in the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, whose protagonist, Lord Rama, is God, incarnated on Earth as the prince of Ayodhya.
5. Mount Kailash is a sacred pilgrimage place of Asia and lies in the southwest of the Tibetan region of China-Nagri, towering 6714 meters above the Tibetan Plateau. According to the Hindu mythology, it is said to be the home of Lord Shiva.
6. Nashik is one of the important pilgrimage centres of India. According to mythology, Rama, the king of Ayodhya, made Nashik his temporary residence during the 14 years of his exile.
7. Jagannath Puri receives a large number of foreign tourists who come to witness the event when thousands of devotees help to pull the carts on their divine journey. Puri is among the four sacred “Dhams” (Puri, Dwarka, Rameswaram and Badrinath) of the Hindus.
8. Rameshwaram is situated at the tip of the Indian peninsula. It is considered a sacred place for the Hindus. As per legend, Lord Ram built a bridge over the sea to Sri Lanka when he went in search of his wife, Sita.
9. Ujjain is situated on the eastern bank of the River Shipra. It is one of the oldest cities in India. It is located in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. In ancient times, Ujjain was known by the names of Ujjayini and Avanti.
10. Tirupati Balaji Temple: Located in a small district called Chittoor in southern Andhra Pradesh, the famous Tirupati Balaji Temple of India is located. This temple is believed to be the richest temple in India because of the rich offerings made by the devotees.

4. Discuss the various teachings of Jainism.

Ans: Vardhaman Mahavira has been accepted as the founder of Jainism. Mahavira’s Teachings are as follows. 

• Mahavira did not believe in the existence of God and had no faith in yagna, sacrifices and rituals.
• He had no faith in the caste system and preached the equality of all human beings.
• He told his followers to take four vows: (i) not to injure life, (ii) not to tell lies, (iii) not to own property, (iv) not to steal.
• Mahavira also asked people to follow the threefold path of Right Belief, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. According to him, this was the path to reach the highest goal of Siddha Sila and Moksha, i.e., freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. One of the most important principles of Mahavira’s teachings was Ahimsa, or non-violence.

5. Throw light on the major Jain heritage sites of India.

Ans: 

• Mount Parsvanatha, in Bihar, one of the greatest places of Jain Heritage of unequalled sanctity, is Mount Parsvanatha or Sametsikhara in Bihar. It is believed that here no fewer than twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankara left their last earthly bodies and achieved moksha. The mountain rises handsomely from forested lower slopes to its rugged peak, and the summit is covered with temples. Large numbers of pilgrims come to this place and, after visiting every shrine, conclude their pilgrimage by walking the thirty-mile circuit of the base of the hill.
• Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is the place which attracts many scholars to its famous library of Jain manuscripts as well as many thousands of religious books. Not only scholars but also many other Jains make the pilgrimage to the splendid, intricately carved temples of yellow stone.
• Ranakpur Temple: Ranakpur is a small village in Rajasthan. The temple of Ranakpur, which has some splendid carvings and architecture, is proof of the profound piety and riches of the Jain faith. It is a famous Jain pilgrimage centre.
• Sravana Belgola is sixty- two miles from Mysore. Here on a hill 470 feet high and reached by nearly five hundred steps stands the massive statue of Bahubali, which is fifty-seven feet high and twenty- six feet across the shoulders. It was carved out from solid rock around the year 980 A.D. It is the biggest free-standing monolithic statue in the world.
• Satrunjaya, Gujarat Satrunjaya is an ancient Jain place of pilgrimage of Heritage value as it was here that the first Tirthankara, Risabha, as well as his chief follower, is said to have achieved moksha. Hundreds of temples and smaller shrines are contained within the nine-walled enclosures.
• Girnar in Gujarat is the place where the Tirthankara Neminatha achieved moksha. One famous temple at the top of Mount Girnar has an inscription recorded to be repaired in 1278 A.D. The temple is the largest temple with a rectangular courtyard surrounded by some seventy Tirthankara images.
• Dilwara Temples on Mount Abu, Rajasthan, are undoubtedly the masterpieces of Jain architecture and are almost unequalled in India for beauty and delicacy of carving. There are two major temple complexes. One was built around 1030 A.D. by Vimala Shah, dedicated to the first Tirthankara; it has forty-eight pillars of the main hall and the dome of eleven rings, alternate ones of which are decorated with human and animal figures. The later temple, dedicated to the Tirthankara Neminatha, is larger, i.e. 155 feet long. It was founded around 1230 A.D. by Tejapala, who, with his brother Vastupala,

6. Discuss the main characteristics of Buddhist culture.

Ans: Buddha taught that the cause of all human suffering is desire. It is important to control and overcome desire. This could be achieved by following the Eightfold Path, which means Right Conduct, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Means of Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Meditation, Right Resolution and Right View. Buddha also preached in the language of the common people, i.e., Pali and Prakrit and laid stress on a life of virtues and morals.

Buddhism was an organised religion. There were Sanghas for the Buddhist monks. Viharas were made for the monks to live in. Education was given state patronage along with the Sangha, as a result of which great universities like Nalanda came up over a period of time. Buddhism spread into many countries of the world.

7. List any ten most popular Buddhist heritage sites in India.

Ans: 

1. Sarnath: Only a few miles away from Varanasi is Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. In Sarnath, there are remains of great stupas.
2. Amravati Stupa: It dates from the 2nd century BC, and many of the remains are on view in the Chennai museum. The Bharhut Stupa also dates from the 2nd century BC, and many of the remains are on view in the Kolkata Museum.
3. Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh: Main Toranas added by the Andhras (Satavahanas) in the 1st C. BC (or possibly later). Stylistically reminiscent of Amravati, Nagarjunakonda was once a flourishing Buddhist centre. Remains of this extensive Buddhist site, dating from the 3rd century AD, are housed in the site museum.
4. Harwani: The third-century Kushan site of Harwan (from Jammu and Kashmir) was once a thriving Buddhist centre. Surviving tiles from the Stupa display a variety of sculptural and decorative motifs – both naturalistic and abstract.
5. Ajanta, Aurangabad, Maharashtra: The original Buddhist caves date from the Second and First centuries BC. The caves have paintings and sculptural additions made during the time of the Guptas. The Ajanta Caves (75°40’ E; 20°30’ N) are situated at a distance of 107 km north of Aurangabad.
6. Nalanda, Bihar: Nalanda gained prominence as an important centre of Buddhist learning from the 4th to the 12th century AD. Nalanda is famous as the ancient seat of learning. The ruins of the world’s most ancient university lie here, which is 62 kms from Bodhgaya and 90 kms south of Patna.
7. Udayagiri in Ratnagiri is a Buddhist site not too far from Cuttack (Odisha) and dates from the 6th century AD. In the 8th C. it became an important centre of the Vajrayana school of Buddhist art and philosophy. At Sirpur and Chattisgarh, you can see ruins of an 8th C. Buddhist monastery.
8. Bodh Gaya is one of the four most sacred pilgrimage places for Buddhists. Followers of Buddhism from all across the world consider it pious to visit Bodh Gaya.
9. Rajgir was the ancient capital city of the kings of Magadha. The name Rajgir literally means “House of the King”. It is a very important Buddhist site because Lord Buddha spent 12 years at Rajgir.
10. Vaishali: A small village in the state of Bihar, Vaishali is a very famous Buddhist pilgrimage in India. The name “Vaishali” means prosperity, and the place seems to live upto its name.

Additional Study Materials

• NIOS Class 12 Tourism Syllabus Bifurcation
• NIOS Class 12 Tourism Sample Question Paper
• Chapter 7. Performing Art Heritage in India