Questions & Answers on Jainism and Vardhaman Mahavira

Questions & Answers on Jainism
And Vardhaman Mahavira

Question No. 01. Who was the founder of Jainism?
Answer : Rishabhnath was the founder of Jainism.


Question No. 02. In which book Rishabhnath is described as an incarnation of God Narayana?
Answer : In 'Vishnu Purana' and in 'Bhagavata Purana'.


Question No. 03. How many Tirthankars were there in Jainism?
Answer : 24


Question No. 04. Who was the first Tirthankara?
Answer : Rishabhnath


Question No. 05. In 'Rig Veda' how many Tirthankara's name is written?
Answer : Rig Veda mentions two Tirthankaras - Rishabh Dev and Arishtanemi.


Question No. 06. Who was the 23rd Tirthankara in Jainism?
Answer : Parsavanath


Question No. 07. Who was the 24th or last Tirthankara?
Answer : Vardhaman Mahavira


Question No. 08. In which year and where Vardhaman Mahavira was born?
Answer : Vardhaman Mahavira was born in 540 BC at Kundalgram near Vaishali in Bihar.


Question No. 09. By which emblem Rishavanath, Parsavanath and Vardhaman Mahavira represented in Jainism?
Answer : Rishavanath - Bull, Parsavanath - Serpent, Vardhaman Mahavira - Lion


Question No. 10. In Pali texts, who is referred to as "Nigantha Nataputta"?
Answer : Vardhaman Mahavira


Question No. 11. On the bank of which river, Vardhaman Mahavira attained 'Kaivalaya'?
Answer : Rijupalika


Question No. 12. According to some Jain traditions, who was son-in-law and first disciple of Tirthankara Vardhaman Mahavira?
Answer : Jamali


Question No. 13. What is the name of Vardhaman Mahvira's wife?
Answer : The name of the wife of Vardhaman Mahavira is Yashoda.


Question No. 14. Where was the birth place of Parsavanath, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism?
Answer : Kashi, India


Question No. 15. What is called to the followers of Parsavanath?
Answer : Nirganth





Question No. 16. Which Jain Tirthankar is presented in art with spiral?
Answer : Parsavanath


Question No. 17. Which mountain is considered sacred in Jainism?
Answer : Chandragiri mountain


Question No. 18.  In Jainism, which principle has been emphasized the most?
Answer : Non-violence


Question No. 19. Who is credited for carrying Jainism to South India?
Answer : Bhadrabahu


Question No. 20. Where and under whose chairmanship the first session of Jainism was held?
Answer : The first session of Jainism was held at Pataliputra and under the chairmanship of Sthulbdra.


Question No. 21. In which language(s) did the Jain texts be written?
Answer : Prakrit and Sanskrit


Question No. 22. Who wrote the famous Jain book “Lok Vibhang”?
Answer : Haribhadra Suri


Question No. 23. Who were Vardhaman Mahavira's parents?
Answer : Vardhaman Mahavira's father was Siddhartha (head of Jnatrika clan) and his mother was Trishla (Lichchhavi Princess and sister of Chetak).


Question No. 24. Vardhaman Mahavira attained 'Kaivalya' at the age of 42 years under a sal tree at Jimbhika grama in Eastern India on the banks of the river Rijupalika. What is the meaning of the word 'Kaivalya'?
Answer : The meaning of 'Kaivalya' is 'Perfect Knowledge'.


Question No. 25. When and where Vardhaman Mahavira died?
Answer : Vardhaman Mahavira Died at the age of 72 years in 468 BC at Pavapuri near Rajaghriha.


Question No. 26. What are the Three Ratnas (way to Nirvana) in Jainism or Jain Philosophy?
Answer : In Jainism, Three Ratnas are
(a) Samyak Vishwas (Right faith)
(b) Samyak Jnan (Right Knowledge)
(c) Samyak Karma (Right Conduct)


Question No. 27. What are the Five Cardial Principles in Jain Philosophy (Jainism)?
Answer : The Five Cardinal Principles in Jainism are : (i) Ahimsa (Non- injury), (ii) Non-lying (Satya), (iii) Non-stealing (Asteya), (iv) Non-possession (Aparigraha), (v) Observing celibacy (Brahmacharya).

The first four principles were given by Parsavanath, while the fifth was added later by Vardhaman Mahavira.


Question No. 28. By which Jain sect Sthulabhdra was followed?
Answer : Svetambaras



Question No. 29. Emperor Akbar conferred the title of 'Jagatguru' upon which Jain Philosophers?
Answer : Hira Vijay Suri


Question No. 30. Chandragupta Maurya was the Royal Patron of the first Jain council in 300 BC at Pataliputra. Who was the chairman of this council?
Answer : Sthulabhadra





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