Chapter 5: Jainism: a Study in Asceticism
Fill in the blank
1. The two religions that emerged from early Hindu civilization to offer answers on karmic
release were ________ and _________.
2. Mahavira based his life on the ascetic and teaching practices of ________ who lived some
250 years earlier.
3. The commitment of noninjury to any and all living beings is referred to as _________.
4. Goshala became the head of the ascetic sect of _________.
5. The term ________ refers to the liberated soul.
6. Mahavira’s ascetic practice was summed up in the _________.
7. The literal translation of a Nirgrantha is _________.
8. How many vows to lay adherents of Jainism make?
9. What is the rite of sallakhana?
10. The Jains believe various kinds of karma are accumulated during the births of souls; how
does one get rid of all the karmic layers that surround the soul? __________.
Multiple Choice
11. The belief that the physical world and an infinite number of living souls are both real and
mutually exclusive describes what type of world view?
a. a dualistic worldview
b. a karmic worldview
c. a monistic worldview
d. a sacrificial world view
12. The fact that Mahavira was not _________ made it easier for him to renounce his princely
life.
a. a father
b. married
c. the oldest son
d. the youngest son
13. When Mahavira sought his brother’s consent to join the monks and become “houseless” his
brother required him to stay in the palace for an additional year. What did Mahavira do
during this time?
a. attended to his parents needs
b. divorce his wife
c. gave away his valuable possessions
d. studied Parshva’s teachings
14. Why did Mahavira refrain from speaking to or greeting anyone?
a. he believed others were better than him
b. he feared that someone would recognize him
c. he thought others were beneath him
d. he was fearful of forming personal attachments
15. How many years did it take Mahavira to become the Jina?
a. 11
b. 13
c. 17
d. 23
16. According to Jainism, ________ is the subtlest form of matter.
a. karma
b. light
c. space
d. time
17. To what does the term “jiva” refer?
a. living beings in the universe
b. lifeless things in the universe
c. the eternal evil
d. the eternally liberated being
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18. How does the Jaina philosophy classify souls?
a. according to their age
b. according to their gender
c. according to the layers of karmic matter they have accumulated
d. according to the number of senses they have
19. Where does the liberated soul come to dwell?
a. Ahamkara
b. Gunas
c. Isatpragbhara
d. Sattva
20. Early in the history of Jainism, the three sects were divided on the issue of clothes. Which
sect went about “clad in atmosphere” whenever religious duty demanded it?
a. the Digambaras
b. the Dravidians
c. the Shevetambaras
d. the Sthanakvasis
21. Which of the Five Great Vows is the most radically ascetic?
a. I renounce all attachments.
b. I renounce all killing of living beings.
c. I renounce all sexual pleasure
d. I renounce all taking of anything not give.
22. Which of the following is a Jain devotional act?
a. animal protection
b. sacramental rites
c. rending of garments
d. welcoming strangers to the home
23. What Jainist principle ensures that monks and laypersons are not widely separated?
a. public rites
b. the communal act of repentance
c. the equal value of all souls
d. the law of caste
24. Which of the following is believed true, not legend about Mahavira?
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a. He grew up sinless.
b. He was omniscient.
c. He was raised in a privileged household.
d. His birth was supernatural.
25. The _________ Jain sect tolerates no idols, has no temples, and worships everywhere.
a. Digambaras
b. Dravidian
c. Shvetambaras
d. Sthanakvasis
26. Mahavira is an honorary title. What does it mean?
a. ascetic
b. god
c. great man
d. rajah
27. The sect of Ajivakes held a strictly deterministic view that all living beings must pass
through a cycle of rebirths lasting how long?
a. 1,400,000 kalpas
b. 1,840,000 kalpas
c. 8,400,000 kalpas
d. 10,400,000 kalpas
28. Jainism was a reaction to what Brahmanic philosophy?
a. ahimsa
b. dualism
c. idealism
d. monism
29. When Mahavira first joined the monk’s his initiation required him to do which of the
following?
a. obtain new garments
b. pluck out his hair
c. recite the Five Verses
d. slaughter a pig
30. The philosophy of Jainism purports that souls _________.
a. are indestructible
b. are male
c. cannot be liberated
d. have a finite length of being
31. Why did Mahavira believe that no help would come from higher beings or gods?
a. The gods were opposed to Mahavira’s nakedness
b. There were no such beings.
c. They were finite beings subject to rebirth.
d. They were occupied with more important tasks than helping humans.
32. How did Mahavira become known as the Jina (Conqueror)?
a. He achieved freedom for all Indians by abolishing the caste laws.
b. He achieved victory over his body and the desires that bind one to world of matter and
sin.
c. He achieved victory over other ascetic sects with his belief in the afterlife.
d. He achieved victory over the ruling political class.
33. According to Jain philosophy, what is the Siddha-sila?
a. home of the liberated soul
b. the nothingness that represents the pure state of a soul
c. the rebirth of a pure soul
d. the universe of all living things
34. Where will monks who wish to emulate Mahavira’s path find a summary of his ascetic
practice?
a. The Book of Transcendence
b. The Doctrine of Moksha
c. The Five Great Vows
d. The Purification Rites of Jina
35. What are the Tirthankaras in Jain philosophy?
a. moral restrictions
b. savior beings
c. supernatural powers
d. worshippers