Jain Tirthankar

17 Grade 10 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Jain Tirthankar, with worked marking schemes. 17 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   5 marks

   (a) Outline how, according to the Svetambara tradition (which holds that Mallinath was a princess named Malli), Mallinath taught the six princes who wished to marry her. (3 marks)

   (b) Explain one lesson that teenagers can learn from this story about physical appearance. (2 marks)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Any three of the following, 1 mark each (3 marks): - Malli, daughter of King Kumbha and Queen Prabhavati of Mithila, was famed for her beauty, and six princes sought her hand, threatening war. - She had a hollow golden statue made in her own likeness, with an opening at the top. - Every day she put a portion of food into the statue and closed it. - When the princes came, she opened the statue and a terrible smell of rotting food filled the room. - She explained that the human body, however beautiful outside, holds the same decaying matter and is impermanent. - The princes understood, gave up their desire and later renounced the world with her; she became the nineteenth Tirthankar. (b) Any one well-explained lesson, 2 marks (1 for the lesson, 1 for application): - Outward beauty is temporary, so a person's worth lies in character and virtue, not looks. - Teenagers should not judge others or themselves by appearance or seek approval through looks on social media. - Attraction based only on appearance should not lead to harmful decisions; one should value self-control. - Conflicts can be solved by wisdom rather than force, as Malli prevented a war.

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   During a visit to a derasar, learners notice a conch shell (shankha) carved on the pedestal of one Tirthankar's image as his identifying symbol (lanchhan). Which Tirthankar does the image represent?

   A. Neminath

   B. Parshvanath

   C. Rishabhdev

   D. Mallinath

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   4 marks

   Explain two contributions of Bhagwan Mahavir to the society of his time. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   A Jain family in Mombasa strains its drinking water, sweeps gently before sitting down and avoids eating after sunset so that tiny creatures are not harmed. Which teaching of the Tirthankaras do these practices most directly express?

   A. Aparigraha, limiting what one owns

   B. Ahimsa, avoiding harm to living beings

   C. Satya, speaking the truth at all times

   D. Asteya, never taking what has not been freely given

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   6 marks

   Explain three economic and agricultural reforms that Jains credit to Tirthankar Rishabhdev. (6 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any three of the following, 2 marks each (1 for the reform, 1 for explanation of its benefit) (6 marks): - Krishi (agriculture): he taught people to plough, sow and harvest crops, including sugarcane (his clan was called Ikshvaku from 'ikshu', sugarcane), so that they could produce food when the wish-fulfilling trees declined. - Asi (defence): he taught the use of weapons for protecting the community, which gave people security to farm and trade. - Masi (writing and record-keeping): he introduced writing and keeping accounts, which made trade, contracts and administration possible. - Vanijya (trade and commerce): he taught buying, selling and exchange of goods, which created livelihoods and wealth. - Shilpa (crafts and skills): he taught crafts such as pottery, weaving, building and making tools, creating occupations. - Vidya (education and arts): he taught knowledge and arts (72 arts to men and 64 to women); Brahmi learnt script and Sundari mathematics, which supported economic life. - Organised society: he set up villages, towns and a system of government and family life, giving order and stability for economic activity. - Cooking and use of fire: he taught people to cook grain, enabling them to make use of cultivated crops.

6. Question 6

   4 marks

   Outline four events in the life history of Tirthankar Rishabhdev. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A teacher tells the story of several blind men who each touch a different part of an elephant and then argue about what an elephant is like. She uses the story to show that each person sees only part of the truth. Which teaching of Bhagwan Mahavir is she explaining?

   A. Anekantavada (non-absolutism)

   B. Kevala jnana (infinite knowledge)

   C. Pratikramana (self-reflection)

   D. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   4 marks

   Explain two ways in which the teachings of the Tirthankaras can help learners manage conflicts peacefully in school. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

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9. Question 9

   5 marks

   (a) Outline the life history of Tirthankar Parshvanath. (3 marks)

   (b) Explain one way in which Parshvanath's teaching of non-possession (aparigraha) is relevant to young people in Kenya today. (2 marks)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Any three of the following, 1 mark each (3 marks): - He was the twenty-third Tirthankar, born in Varanasi (about 877 BCE) to King Ashvasena and Queen Vama. - As a young prince he saw the ascetic Kamath burning a log in which a pair of snakes was trapped, and he had them rescued. - The dying snakes heard the Navkar Mantra and were reborn as Dharanendra and Padmavati. - He renounced worldly life at the age of thirty. - While he meditated, Kamath (reborn as Meghamali) attacked him with storms and floods, and Dharanendra shielded him with his hood. - He remained calm and attained kevala jnana. - He taught the chaturyama dharma (four restraints): non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing and non-possession. - He attained nirvana at the age of 100 on Sammed Shikharji (Parasnath Hill); his symbol is the serpent. (b) Any one well-explained point, 2 marks (1 for the point, 1 for application): - Limiting wants reduces pressure to buy the latest phones or fashion, helping young people avoid debt, e.g. from mobile loans. - Contentment with what one has reduces envy, theft and corruption. - Owning less frees resources to share with the needy. - Simple living reduces waste and protects the environment, e.g. less plastic and fewer discarded goods.

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    The word 'Tirthankar' comes from 'tirtha', meaning a ford or crossing place. Which meaning of the title best fits Jain teaching?

    A. One who performs sacrifices for the whole community

    B. One who makes a ford across the ocean of rebirth

    C. One who is born again on earth in every age

    D. One who rules the universe from the highest heaven

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    4 marks

    You have been asked to give a talk at the school assembly on how learners can apply the contributions of the Tirthankaras in their daily lives. Outline four practical points you would include. (4 marks)

    (4 marks)

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12. Question 12

    4 marks

    Outline four events in the life history of Bhagwan Mahavir. (4 marks)

    (4 marks)

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13. Question 13

    4 marks

    Explain two ways in which a Jain trader in Kenya can apply the teachings of the Tirthankaras in running a business. (4 marks)

    (4 marks)

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14. Question 14

    5 marks

    (a) Describe the events surrounding Neminath's renunciation on the day of his wedding. (3 marks)

    (b) Explain one way in which Neminath's example can guide how families in Kenya celebrate weddings and other functions. (2 marks)

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Any three of the following, 1 mark each (3 marks): - Neminath (Arishtanemi), the twenty-second Tirthankar, a prince and cousin of Krishna, was to marry Princess Rajulmati (Rajimati), daughter of King Ugrasena. - On the way to the wedding he heard the cries of animals and birds penned up in enclosures. - He was told that they were to be slaughtered for the wedding feast. - Moved by compassion, he ordered that the animals be set free. - He turned back, gave up the marriage and worldly life, and became an ascetic. - He later attained kevala jnana and nirvana on Mount Girnar; Rajulmati also renounced the world and became a nun. (b) Any one well-explained point, 2 marks (1 for the point, 1 for application): - Show compassion to animals, e.g. serving vegetarian meals rather than slaughtering many animals. - Avoid waste and extravagance, e.g. modest celebrations instead of costly feasts that leave families in debt. - Share with the needy, e.g. giving surplus food to children's homes. - Put values above social pressure, e.g. not overspending just to impress guests.

15. Question 15

    1 mark

    According to the Svetambara tradition, Parshvanath taught four restraints and Bhagwan Mahavir added a fifth, giving the five great vows (mahavratas). Which vow did Mahavir add?

    A. Satya (truthfulness)

    B. Asteya (non-stealing)

    C. Brahmacharya (chastity)

    D. Aparigraha (non-possession)

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    During a visit to a derasar in Nairobi, learners see Jain devotees bowing before the images of the Tirthankaras. Which reason best explains why Jains honour the Tirthankaras?

    A. They grant favours to devotees who bring them offerings

    B. They are ancestral spirits who protect each family

    C. They showed by their lives the path to liberation

    D. They created the world and continue to rule over it

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    6 marks

    Draw a table with three columns headed 'Tirthankar', 'Symbol (lanchhan)' and 'Place of nirvana'. Complete it for Rishabhdev, Parshvanath and Bhagwan Mahavir. (6 marks)

    (6 marks)

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