Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings
Q) What is the stupa at Sanchi?
Answer: The stupa at Sanchi is a hemispherical mound that serves as a symbolic representation of the Buddha's mind and a physical embodiment of his teachings. It is one of the most important Buddhist monuments in India and is renowned for its intricate sculptures and architectural features.
Q) When was the stupa at Sanchi built?
Answer: The construction of the Sanchi stupa complex began in the 3rd century BCE during the reign of the Sunga rulers. Over time, it underwent several expansions and additions, with the last major phase occurring in the 1st century CE under the patronage of the Satavahana dynasty.
Q) What is the significance of the stone railing around the stupa?
Answer: The stone railing surrounding the stupa at Sanchi marks the sacred boundary between the mundane and the spiritual realms. It serves as a symbolic enclosure, protecting the sanctity of the stupa and creating a demarcated space for meditation and contemplation.
Q) Why was the stupa at Sanchi "discovered" in the 19th century?
Answer: The term "discovery" in the context of the stupa at Sanchi refers to its reintroduction to the world's attention in the 19th century. While the stupa had been known locally for centuries, it gained international recognition when British officials and archaeologists began exploring and documenting the site in the mid-1800s.
Q) How has the Archaeological Survey of India contributed to the preservation of the stupa at Sanchi?
Answer: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has played a pivotal role in the preservation and restoration of the stupa at Sanchi. Since taking over the site in the early 20th century, the ASI has implemented extensive conservation measures, including cleaning, repairing, and documenting the stupa's structures and sculptures.
Q) What is the basic philosophy of Jainism?
Answer: The basic philosophy of Jainism is that the entire world is animated: even stones, rocks and water have life.
Q) What is the most important idea in Jainism?
Answer: The most important idea in Jainism is non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals, plants and insects.
Q) How do we know about the Buddha's teachings?
Answer: The Buddha's teachings have been reconstructed by carefully editing, translating and analysing the Buddhist texts mentioned earlier. Historians have also tried to reconstruct details of his life from hagiographies.
Q) What was the Buddha's name at birth?
Answer: The Buddha's name at birth was Siddhartha.
Q) What did Siddhartha see on his first journey into the world outside?
Answer: Siddhartha saw an old man, a sick man and a corpse. He realised in that moment that the decay and destruction of the human body was inevitable.
Q) What is the central philosophy of Jainism?
Answer: Non-violence (ahimsa) and reverence for all living beings.
Q) How is the cycle of birth and rebirth shaped in Jainism?
Answer: By karma.
Q) What is the path to liberation in Jainism?
Answer: Asceticism and penance.
Q) What is the emphasis on monasticism in Jainism?
Answer: As a path to salvation.
Q) What are the five vows taken by Jain monks and nuns?
Answer: To abstain from killing, stealing, lying, celibacy, and possessing property.
Buddhism
Q) What is the nature of the world according to Buddhism?
Answer: Transient (anicca) and constantly changing.
Q) What is the inevitability of human existence according to Buddhism?
Answer: Suffering (dukkha).
Q) What is the path to liberation in Buddhism?
Answer: Following the Middle Way.
Q) What did the Buddha encourage as means to escape suffering and attain enlightenment?
Answer: Individual effort and ethical living.
Q) What is the emphasis in Buddhism?
Answer: Compassion (karuna) and treating all beings with respect.
Q) What were chaityas?
Answer: Small shrines attached to sacred places.
Q) Why were stupas built?
Answer: To contain relics of the Buddha.
Q) How were stupas built?
Answer: With donations from kings, guilds, individuals, and monastics.
Q) What is the structure of a stupa?
Answer: A mound of earth with a railing, gateway, and sculptures.
Q) What are some of the histories of stupas?
Answer: The Buddha's life, Buddhist symbols, and pre-Buddhist and non-Buddhist traditions.
Q) Why did Sanchi survive while Amaravati did not?
Answer: Because it was discovered after scholars understood the value of the finds.
Q) What are some of the stories depicted in Buddhist sculpture?
Answer: The Buddha's life, such as the Vessantara Jataka.
Q) What are some of the symbols used in Buddhist sculpture?
Answer: The empty seat, the stupa, and the wheel.
Q) What is the shalabhanjika motif?
Answer: A woman whose touch caused trees to flower and bear fruit.
Q) What are some of the animals depicted in Buddhist sculpture?
Answer: Elephants, horses, monkeys, and cattle.
Q) What is the capital of France?
Answer: Paris
Q) What is the largest country in the world?
Answer: Russia
Q) What is the deepest ocean?
Answer: Pacific Ocean
