Chapter 6: New Questions and Ideas: Buddhism and Jainism
नए प्रश्न, नए विचार (गौतम बुद्ध, सारनाथ, उपनिषद, गार्गी एवं वर्धमान महावीर)
Don't Let a 20-Minute Bubbling Delay Cost You CTET Qualification
In offline CTET exams, bubbling 150 bubbles takes 18 to 22 minutes of mechanical time. A single misaligned row can trigger an 8-question domino error. Practice bubble-filling this chapter's solved MCQs inside Mentora's official OMR simulator.
- Gautama Buddha: Founder of Buddhism; originally named Siddhartha; born into the Sakya Gana (Kshatriya); left comfort of home in search of knowledge; meditated for days under a Peepal tree (**Bodhi Tree**) in **Bodh Gaya (Bihar)** where he attained enlightenment; gave his first sermon at **Sarnath (near Varanasi)**; passed away at **Kusinara**.
- Language of the Masses: Buddha taught in **Prakrit**, the everyday language of common people, so everyone could comprehend his philosophical teachings without elite Sanskrit barriers.
- Kisagotami's Story: Teaches acceptance of the inevitability of death; Buddha asked her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where no one had ever died.
- The Upanishads: Literally means 'approaching and sitting near'; philosophical dialogues between teachers and students exploring the Atman (individual soul) and Brahman (universal soul). Notable thinkers included **Gargi** (famous woman philosopher participating in royal debates) and **Satyakama Jabala** (son of slave woman Jabali, accepted by sage Gautama for speaking the truth).
- Vardhamana Mahavira: 24th Tirthankara of Jainism; Kshatriya prince of the Lichchhavis; attained enlightenment at age 42; preached extreme non-violence (Ahimsa); taught in Prakrit.
- Trap: Where did Buddha deliver his FIRST sermon? Correct: **Sarnath (सारनाथ)** near Varanasi.
- Trap: In which language did Buddha and Mahavira teach ordinary people? Correct: **Prakrit (प्राकृत)**.
- Trap: Who was the female thinker mentioned in the Upanishads known for her debate skills? Correct: **Gargi (गार्गी)**.
NCERT Core Facts: Buddhism, Jainism, Upanishadic Philosophy & Prakrit
Class 6 History Chapter 6 examines the 6th century BCE spiritual and philosophical renaissance:
1. Life and Teachings of Gautama Buddha
- Birth & Clan: Siddhartha belonged to the Sakya Gana and was a Kshatriya.
- Enlightenment: Attained Bodhi (supreme wisdom) meditating under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
- First Sermon: Delivered at Sarnath (where the Stupa was built to mark the event).
- Core Philosophy:
- Life is full of suffering (dukkha) caused by craving and desires (tanha).
- Follow the Middle Path (avoiding both extreme asceticism and hedonism).
- Be kind and respect all living beings (Ahimsa).
- Medium of Instruction: Taught in Prakrit, empowering women and lower castes to participate.
2. Upanishadic Thinkers & Women Intellectuals
- Upanishad: Means sitting near the guru.
- Gargi: Highly respected woman philosopher who debated renowned sages like Yajnavalkya in the court of King Janaka.
- Satyakama Jabala: Though born to an enslaved woman named Jabali, he possessed a relentless hunger for truth and was formally initiated into Vedic philosophy by sage Gautama.
3. Vardhamana Mahavira & Jain Principles
- 24th Tirthankara of the Jains.
- Prince of the Lichchhavis (part of the Vajji Sangha).
- Strict adherence to Ahimsa: "Do not harm, do not kill, all living beings long to live."
Test Your Mastery: New Questions and Ideas: Buddhism and Jainism
Authentic CBSE exam questions tested directly from this NCERT chapter.
At which of the following places did Gautama Buddha deliver his very first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya?
बोधगया में ज्ञान प्राप्ति के बाद गौतम बुद्ध ने अपना पहला उपदेश निम्नलिखित में से किस स्थान पर दिया था?
In which language did Gautama Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavira teach so that common people could easily comprehend their teachings?
गौतम बुद्ध और वर्धमान महावीर ने किस भाषा में उपदेश दिए ताकि आम लोग उनकी शिक्षाओं को आसानी से समझ सकें?
Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon?
At Sarnath, near Varanasi.
Why did Buddha teach his philosophy in the Prakrit language?
Because Prakrit was the everyday spoken language of ordinary people, allowing universal comprehension.