Why do you think women and men joined the Sangha?

Solution

The men and women probably went to the Sanghas due to the following reasons:

1. They wanted to attain enlightenment, by staying away from worldly activities.

2. They could deeply study the Buddhist philosophy by staying in the Sanghas.

3. Many people entered the Sanghas to become teachers of dhamma.

4. They also joined so as to free themselves from social constraints because after joining the Sanghas they were not known by their social name but from the name they get when entering the sanghas.

Some More Questions From Thinkers, Beliefs And Buildings Chapter

Were the ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers different from those of the fatalists and materialists? Give reasons for your answer.

Summarise the central teachings of Jainism.

Discuss the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.

Or

“The Begums of Bhopal played a significant role in preserving the remains of stupa at Sanchi.” Support this statement with suitable evidence.

Read this short inscription and answer the questions that follow:

In the year 33 of the maharaja Huvishka (a Kushana ruler), in the first month of the hot season on the eighth day, a Bodhisatta was set up at Madhuvanaka by the bhikkhuni Dhanavati, the sister’s daughter of the bhikkhuni Buddhamita, who knows the Tipitaka, the female pupil of the bhikkhu Bala, who knows the Tipitaka, together with her father and mother.

A. How did Dhanavati date her inscription?

B. Why do you think she installed an image of the Bodhisatta?

C. Who were the relatives she mentioned?

D. What Buddhist text did she know?

E From whom did she learn this text?