📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Jainism
- 24 Tirthankaras; first Rishabhadeva, 23rd Parshvanatha, 24th Vardhamana Mahavira.
- Mahavira: born at Kundagrama (Vaishali), father Siddhartha, mother Trishala; attained Kaivalya at 42 (Rijupalika river, Jrimbhikagrama); nirvana at Pavapuri.
- Triratna: right knowledge, right faith, right conduct. Five vows: ahimsa, satya, asteya, aparigraha (Parshvanatha's four) + brahmacharya (added by Mahavira).
- Sects: Shvetambara (Sthulabhadra) and Digambara (Bhadrabahu). Texts in Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi) — the Agamas.
- Jain councils: first at Pataliputra (Sthulabhadra), second at Vallabhi (Devardhi Kshamashramana) — Agamas compiled.
📌 2. Buddhism
| Event | Place | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | Lumbini (Nepal) | Lotus / bull |
| Mahabhinishkramana (renunciation) | Kapilavastu | Horse |
| Enlightenment | Bodh Gaya | Bodhi tree |
| First sermon (Dharmachakrapravartana) | Sarnath | Wheel |
| Mahaparinirvana | Kushinagar | Stupa |
- Childhood name Siddhartha; father Shuddhodana (Shakya), mother Mahamaya; raised by Gautami.
- Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path; the Middle Way. Triratna: Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha.
- Tripitaka (Pali): Vinaya (monastic rules), Sutta (sermons), Abhidhamma (philosophy). Jatakas — stories of Buddha's previous births.
| Council | Place / year | Ruler | President |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Rajagriha, c.483 BCE | Ajatashatru | Mahakassapa |
| Second | Vaishali, c.383 BCE | Kalashoka | Sabakami |
| Third | Pataliputra, c.250 BCE | Ashoka | Moggaliputta Tissa |
| Fourth | Kashmir (Kundalvana), 1st c. CE | Kanishka | Vasumitra (vice: Ashvaghosha) |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Buddhism split into Hinayana and Mahayana after the Fourth Council.
- First sermon at Sarnath, enlightenment at Bodh Gaya — do not mix them.
📌 3. Comparison
| Point | Jainism | Buddhism |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi) | Pali |
| Liberation | Kaivalya | Nirvana |
| God/soul | No God; believe in soul | No God; no permanent soul (anatta) |
| Path | Severe austerity and ahimsa | Middle path |
💡 Memory Tip: Buddha's places: "Lu-Bo-Sa-Ku" = Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar.
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Who was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara.
Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara.
Q2. Who is regarded as the first Tirthankara? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Rishabhadeva (Adinatha) is the first Tirthankara.
Rishabhadeva (Adinatha) is the first Tirthankara.
Q3. Which vow did Mahavira add to the five great vows? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Mahavira added brahmacharya to Parshvanatha's four vows.
Mahavira added brahmacharya to Parshvanatha's four vows.
Q4. Where did the Buddha deliver his first sermon? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The first sermon at Sarnath is called Dharmachakrapravartana.
The first sermon at Sarnath is called Dharmachakrapravartana.
Q5. Where did the Buddha attain Mahaparinirvana? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Buddha passed away at Kushinagar.
The Buddha passed away at Kushinagar.
Q6. The Buddhist Tripitaka is in which language? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The Tripitaka is compiled in Pali.
The Tripitaka is compiled in Pali.
Q7. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held under: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The Fourth Council in Kashmir was under Kanishka, presided by Vasumitra.
The Fourth Council in Kashmir was under Kanishka, presided by Vasumitra.
Q8. Where was the First Buddhist Council held? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
It was held at Rajagriha under Ajatashatru after the Buddha's death.
It was held at Rajagriha under Ajatashatru after the Buddha's death.
Q9. The 'Triratna' of Jainism are: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Jain Triratna are right knowledge, faith and conduct; Buddha-Dhamma-Sangha is Buddhist.
Jain Triratna are right knowledge, faith and conduct; Buddha-Dhamma-Sangha is Buddhist.
Q10. Buddhism split into Hinayana and Mahayana after which council? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The split became clear after the Fourth Council under Kanishka.
The split became clear after the Fourth Council under Kanishka.
Q11. Where did Mahavira attain nirvana? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Mahavira attained nirvana at Pavapuri (Bihar).
Mahavira attained nirvana at Pavapuri (Bihar).
Q12. What are the Jataka tales about? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Jatakas narrate the Buddha's previous births.
Jatakas narrate the Buddha's previous births.
Q13. Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Moggaliputta Tissa presided at Pataliputra under Ashoka.
Moggaliputta Tissa presided at Pataliputra under Ashoka.
Q14. In Buddhism, 'Mahabhinishkramana' means: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Siddhartha leaving home at 29 is called Mahabhinishkramana.
Siddhartha leaving home at 29 is called Mahabhinishkramana.
Q15. Who is regarded as the leader of the Digambara sect? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Bhadrabahu's followers became Digambaras; Sthulabhadra's Shvetambaras.
Bhadrabahu's followers became Digambaras; Sthulabhadra's Shvetambaras.
Q16. What does the Vinaya Pitaka contain? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Vinaya Pitaka contains rules of monastic discipline.
The Vinaya Pitaka contains rules of monastic discipline.
Q17. The 'horse' symbol in the Buddha's life represents: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The horse (Kanthaka) symbolises renunciation.
The horse (Kanthaka) symbolises renunciation.
Q18. At which council were the Jain Agamas compiled? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
At Vallabhi under Devardhi Kshamashramana the Agamas were written down.
At Vallabhi under Devardhi Kshamashramana the Agamas were written down.
Q19. The 'Middle Path' is a teaching of: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Buddha taught a middle path between indulgence and severe austerity.
The Buddha taught a middle path between indulgence and severe austerity.
Q20. Under which tree did the Buddha attain enlightenment? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
At Bodh Gaya under a peepal tree, now called the Bodhi tree.
At Bodh Gaya under a peepal tree, now called the Bodhi tree.