UPSC Prelims Marathon 14 May – Jainism – 2025

Which of the following best describes the core philosophy of Jainism as mentioned in historical texts?

With reference to the historical context and teachings of Jainism, consider the following statements:
1.Jainism emerged as a response to the rigid rituals and animal sacrifices of the Vedic religion.
2.The authority of Jain philosophy rests primarily on sacred texts and logical argument.
3.Mahavira introduced the fifth vow of chastity to the earlier four vows taught by Parshvanatha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to Mahavira and the early development of Jainism, consider the following statements:
1.Mahavira attained omniscience after twelve years of rigorous asceticism and came to be known as Jina.
2.He established a four-fold religious order consisting of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers.
3.Mahavira emphasized divine revelation and scriptural authority as the primary means to attain liberation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the sacred scriptures of Jainism, consider the following statements:
1.The Jain canon, as known today, was compiled nearly a thousand years after Mahavira’s death during a Council at Vallabhi in Gujarat.
2.The Angas and Upangas are regarded as the core components of the Jain canon, with the Angas being directly derived from Mahavira’s teachings.
3.The Kalpa-Sutra, written by Bhadrabahu, forms part of the twelve Angas and is considered the earliest Jain text.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the concept of God in Jain philosophy, consider the following statements:
1.Jainism does not believe in a creator God, but equates Godhood with the liberated soul free from all karmic bondages.
2.In Jainism, worship of God is primarily to seek mercy, forgiveness, and divine intervention.
3.The attributes of a liberated soul in Jainism include infinite knowledge, infinite vision, infinite power, and infinite bliss.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the concept of soul (jiva) in Jain philosophy, consider the following statements:
1.In Jainism, all souls are inherently perfect but are obstructed by karmic matter that binds them to the cycle of rebirth.
2.Jainism holds that only sentient beings possess souls, and non-living things are devoid of consciousness.
3.Jainism distinguishes between internal bondage caused by mental dispositions and material bondage caused by association with matter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the major sects of Jainism, consider the following statements:
1.The primary distinction between Digambaras and Svetambaras lies in their attitude toward clothing and ascetic practice.
2.The Digambaras believe that women can attain liberation through ascetic discipline, while Svetambaras deny this possibility.
3.Svetambaras preserve a substantial portion of the original Jain scriptures, unlike Digambaras who believe no canonical texts exist today.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the Jain concept of liberation (moksha), consider the following statements:
1.In Jainism, liberation is the complete dissociation of the soul from karmic matter and a return to its pure state.
2.The three essentials for attaining liberation—right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct—are collectively known as the “three jewels” (triratna).
3.According to Jain belief, once a soul attains liberation, it may reincarnate in the material world to guide others on the path of righteousness.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to Jaina ethics, consider the following statements:
1.Among the twelve vows of Jain laypersons, the first five—non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-attachment—are known as the Pancha Vrathas.
2.Jainism holds that Ahimsa applies only to moving beings and not to non-moving beings like plants.
3.Liberation in Jainism leads to fourfold perfection: infinite knowledge, infinite faith, infinite power, and infinite bliss.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?