- 1. Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence towards all living beings, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-attachment. Followers of Jainism, known as Jains, believe in the concept of ahimsa (non-violence) as the highest moral value. Jains also strive to live a simple life, practice meditation, and focus on self-discipline to attain spiritual liberation. The core teachings of Jainism revolve around the principles of karma, reincarnation, and the pursuit of enlightenment to break the cycle of birth and death. Jainism has a rich tradition of philosophical and ethical teachings, as well as a strong emphasis on compassion and respect for all forms of life.
What is the religious text of Jainism called?
A) Puranas
B) Vedas
C) Ramayana
D) Agamas
- 2. Jainism originated in which country?
A) Japan
B) Sri Lanka
C) China
D) India
- 3. Which of the following is one of the core principles of Jainism?
A) Cannibalism
B) Non-violence
C) Idol worship
D) Sacrifice
- 4. What is the name of the festival that marks the birth of Mahavira?
A) Holi
B) Diwali
C) Navratri
D) Mahavir Jayanti
- 5. What is the purpose of the Jain practice of 'Pratikramana'?
A) To offer sacrifices
B) To achieve fame
C) To repent for sins
D) To celebrate festivals
- 6. Jainism teaches the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, known as:
A) Karma
B) Nirvana
C) Dharma
D) Samsara
- 7. Jain monks and nuns are known as:
A) Gurus
B) Pandits
C) Sadhus and Sadhvis
D) Rishis
- 8. Which of the following is a pilgrimage site important to Jains?
A) Konark Sun Temple
B) Shatrunjaya
C) Agra
D) Taj Mahal
- 9. How many tirthankaras are recognized in Jainism?
A) Fifty-one
B) Twelve
C) Thirty-two
D) Twenty-four
- 10. What is the ultimate spiritual goal of Jain philosophy?
A) Nirvana
B) Moksha (liberation from karma)
C) Siddhi
D) Bodhi
- 11. Which ethical principle in Jainism emphasizes non-absolutism or many-sided reality?
A) Aparigraha
B) Ahimsa
C) Satya
D) Anekāntavāda
- 12. What does the vow of aparigraha require monks to do?
A) Fasting every week
B) Renounce all property
C) Wear special garments
D) Pray daily for forgiveness
- 13. Which historical figure is considered the first tirthankara in Jainism?
A) Mahavira
B) Pārśvanātha
C) Rishabhanatha
D) Buddha
- 14. Who was the contemporary of Buddha and a central figure in the Śramaṇa movement?
A) Rishabhanatha
B) Gautama
C) Mahavira
D) Pārśvanātha
- 15. Which Jain festival is also known as das lakshana?
A) Diwali
B) Paryushana
C) Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
D) Akshaya Tritiya
- 16. What does the term 'jain' mean?
A) Spiritual teacher
B) Follower of the conquerors
C) Ascetic practitioner
D) Bondless wanderer
- 17. Which ethical pillar of Jainism involves nonviolence?
A) Ahiṃsā
B) Satya
C) Aparigraha
D) Anekāntavāda
- 18. Which sub-tradition in Jainism is known as 'sky-clad'?
A) Śvētāmbaras
B) Vaishnavas
C) Digambaras
D) Shaivas
- 19. What does the term 'jina' mean in Jainism?
A) Follower
B) Ascetic
C) Teacher
D) Conqueror
- 20. Which of the following is not one of the three jewels (ratnatraya) in Jainism?
A) Samyak tapas (correct asceticism)
B) Samyak darśana
C) Samyak charitra
D) Samyak gyana
- 21. Which vow requires Jains to always speak the truth?
A) Asteya
B) Satya
C) Aparigraha
D) Brahmacharya
- 22. What does 'asteya' mean in Jainism?
A) Celibacy
B) Non-violence
C) Not stealing
D) Non-possessiveness
- 23. Which vow is associated with abstinence from sex and sensual pleasures for Jain monks and nuns?
A) Ahiṃsā
B) Brahmacharya
C) Asteya
D) Satya
- 24. What is the significance of 'samyak darśana'?
A) Correct conduct consistent with teachings
B) Right vision or faith in Jain teachings
C) Right knowledge and understanding of self
D) Belief in ascetic practices
- 25. Which vow is related to non-attachment to material possessions?
A) Brahmacharya
B) Aparigraha
C) Asteya
D) Satya
- 26. Which tradition involves ascetics as wandering mendicants?
A) Vedic tradition
B) Buddhist tradition
C) Śvētāmbara tradition
D) Digambara tradition
- 27. Which tattva describes the living, sentient soul?
A) Ajīva
B) Āsrava
C) Bandha
D) Jīva
- 28. How many potential birth-situations does Jainism describe for the unliberated soul?
A) 42 million.
B) 12.
C) 1,000.
D) 8.4 million.
- 29. How many realms or lokas are there in Jain cosmology?
A) Infinite realms.
B) Three: Urdhva Loka, Madhya Loka, Adho Loka.
C) Two: heaven and hell.
D) Four: including a realm for gods.
- 30. Which realm in Jain cosmology is inhabited by humans, animals, and plants?
A) Madhya Loka (middle world).
B) Urdhva Loka.
C) Adho Loka.
D) A separate human realm.
- 31. How does Jainism view the five vows for monks and nuns?
A) They promote a benign attitude towards other ethical positions.
B) They are strict requirements with no 'perhaps' about them.
C) They are flexible guidelines that can be interpreted in various ways.
D) They are optional depending on individual beliefs.
- 32. Which additional means of knowledge is sometimes included by some Jain texts?
A) Meditation
B) Divine revelation
C) Intuition
D) Analogy (upamana)
- 33. Who are considered perfect enlightened souls with a body in Jainism?
A) Siddhas (liberated souls)
B) Arihants (victors)
C) Bodhisattvas
D) Tirthankaras
- 34. What type of beings are worshipped by heavenly, earthly, and hellish beings in Jainism?
A) Celestial beings
B) Tirthankaras
C) Liberated beings
D) Arihants
- 35. Which tirthankara is considered a historical figure and likely founded a proto-Jain ascetic community?
A) Neminatha
B) Parshvanatha
C) Rishabhanatha
D) Mahavira
- 36. Who was the contemporary of Mahavira and a founder of another major Indian religion?
A) Rama
B) Krishna
C) The Buddha
D) Vasudeva
- 37. Which dynasty's kings were patrons of Jainism?
A) Gupta dynasty
B) Maurya dynasty
C) Chola dynasty
D) Haryanka dynasty
- 38. How did Chandragupta Maurya die according to Jain tradition?
A) By fasting at Shravanabelagola
B) In battle
C) By poisoning
D) Of natural causes
- 39. What is required for a soul to attain enlightenment and liberation in Jainism?
A) An animal body
B) A hellish body
C) A celestial body
D) A human body
- 40. Which king's inscription at Udayagiri Caves provides early evidence for Jainism?
A) Nanda dynasty king
B) King Kharavela
C) Emperor Ashoka
D) Chandragupta Maurya
- 41. What type of tablets were found at Kankali Tila, indicating early Jain community organization?
A) Manuscripts of the Agamas
B) Stele inscriptions
C) Ayagapatas (votive tablets)
D) Edicts of Ashoka
- 42. Which emperor mentioned Niganthas in his pillar edicts?
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Emperor Ashoka
C) King Kharavela
D) Bindusara
- 43. When do Tirthankara statues date back to?
A) First century CE
B) Third century BCE
C) Second century BCE
D) Fourth century BCE
- 44. What do Śvētāmbara monastics wear?
A) Unstitched plain white sarees
B) Colorful garments
C) Simple, seamless white robes
D) No clothes at all
- 45. Who predicted a twelve-year famine in Magadha according to the Digambara tradition?
A) Sivabhuti
B) Acharya Bhadrabahu
C) Mahavira
D) Sthulabhadra
- 46. According to the Śvētāmbara tradition, when did the Digambara sect arise?
A) During Mahavira's lifetime
B) In the 4th century BCE
C) At the time of Buddha
D) 609 years after Mahavira's nirvana
- 47. Who founded the Digambara sect according to Śvētāmbara texts?
A) Acharya Bhadrabahu
B) Sthulabhadra
C) Mahavira
D) Sivabhuti
- 48. Which sect believes that women can achieve liberation through asceticism?
A) Kushan
B) Yapaniyas
C) Śvētāmbara
D) Digambara
- 49. Which Tirthankara do Śvētāmbaras believe was female?
A) Māllīnātha
B) Parshvanatha
C) Mahavira
D) Rishabhanatha
- 50. Which group is believed to have originated from the Ardhaphalaka?
A) Kushans
B) Yapaniyas
C) Śvētāmbaras
D) Digambaras
- 51. Which empire's time revealed Jain statues at Mathura?
A) Maurya Empire
B) Gupta Empire
C) Mughal Empire
D) Kushan Empire
- 52. Which Pallava king converted from Jainism to Shaivism?
A) Mahendravarman I
B) Āma
C) Mularaja
D) Harshavardhana
- 53. Who constructed a Jain temple in the 10th century despite not being a Jain?
A) Basava
B) Mularaja
C) King Āma
D) Vishnuvardhana
- 54. Which minister converted many Jains to the Lingayat Shaivite sect in the 11th century?
A) Mularaja
B) Basava
C) King Āma
D) Vishnuvardhana
- 55. Under whose influence did Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana become a Vaishnavite?
A) Alauddin Khalji
B) Muhammad bin Tughluq
C) Ramanuja
D) Acharya Mahasena
- 56. Which Mughal emperor ordered the destruction of various Jain idols in Gwalior?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb
- 57. Which Mughal emperor ravaged the fort of Chittor and ordered the destruction of several Jain shrines in 1567?
A) Jahangir
B) Akbar
C) Babur
D) Aurangzeb
- 58. Which Mughal emperor was known for making patronage and grants to Jain pilgrimage sites?
A) Babur
B) Jahangir
C) Aurangzeb
D) Humayun
- 59. Which ruler of the Delhi Sultanate permitted the reconstruction of temples razed during earlier Muslim conquests?
A) Muhammad bin Tughluq
B) Alp Khan
C) Akbar
D) Babur
- 60. Which Mughal emperor desecrated Jain religious shrines most notably?
A) Aurangzeb
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Humayun
- 61. Who represented Jainism at the first World Parliament of Religions in 1893?
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Virchand Gandhi
C) Champat Rai Jain
D) Shrimad Rajchandra
- 62. Which work is considered Shrimad Rajchandra's magnum opus?
A) Pravachanasara
B) Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra
C) Samayasara
D) Tattvartha Sutra
- 63. What did the British colonial government in India promote while passing laws against roaming naked?
A) Complete religious freedom without restrictions
B) Conversion to Christianity
C) Religious tolerance
D) Abolition of all religious practices
- 64. What happened to the laws restricting Digambara monks after India gained independence?
A) The laws were partially modified
B) The laws were strengthened
C) The laws remained unchanged
D) The laws were abolished
- 65. Which movement was founded by Kanji Swami?
A) Digambara Path.
B) Kanji Panth.
C) Akram Vignan Movement.
D) Shrimad Rajchandra Movement.
- 66. Who greatly influenced Mahatma Gandhi's understanding of Ahiṃsā?
A) Dada Bhagwan.
B) Chandanaji.
C) Kanji Swami.
D) Shrimad Rajchandra.
- 67. Who became the first Jain woman to receive the title of Acharya in 1987?
A) Chandanaji.
B) Shrimad Rajchandra.
C) Kanji Swami.
D) Dada Bhagwan.
- 68. What symbolizes non-possession even of clothes in Jain ascetic life?
A) Penance
B) Body mortification
C) Nakedness
D) Fasting
- 69. How many outer austerities are often repeated in later Jain texts?
A) Six
B) Four
C) Eight
D) Ten
- 70. What is the four-fold order of Jain monastic organization called?
A) Upanishads
B) Tantras
C) Vedas
D) Sangh
- 71. Who are the male ascetics in Jainism?
A) Śrāvaka
B) Śrāvikā
C) Sadhvi
D) Sadhu (muni)
- 72. What is the term for practicing serenity and meditation in Jainism?
A) Pranayama
B) Dhyana
C) Yoga
D) Samayika
- 73. What do Jain householders spread for birds as an act of charity?
A) Water
B) Medicine
C) Grain
D) Clothes
- 74. Which supreme beings are worshipped in the six essential duties (avashyakas) for śrāvakas?
A) Pañca-Parameṣṭhi
B) Devas
C) Avatars
D) Trimurti
- 75. What type of diet do devout Jains practice?
A) Lacto-vegetarianism
B) Veganism
C) Ovo-vegetarianism
D) Pescatarian
- 76. What vow do Jain monks and advanced laypeople observe by eating only once a day?
A) Asteya-vrata
B) Ahimsa-vrata
C) Ratri-bhojana-tyaga-vrata
D) Satya-vrata
- 77. Who more commonly observes fasting among laypeople in Jainism?
A) Children
B) Men
C) Women
D) Elders
- 78. What does Sāmāyika practice aim to achieve?
A) Transformational insights
B) Equanimity
C) Self-realization
D) Karmic accumulation
- 79. What does samayika connotate for a Jain householder?
A) Permanent renunciation
B) Assuming temporary ascetic status
C) Attending temple services
D) Daily meditation
- 80. Which tirthankara is predominantly worshipped by Digambara Jains?
A) Bahubali
B) Parshvanatha
C) Neminatha
D) Mahāvīra
- 81. What is the ultimate ritual in Jainism that involves ascetic abandonment?
A) Darsana
B) Abhisheka
C) Puja
D) Sallekhana
- 82. Which mantra is broadly accepted across various sects of Jainism?
A) Hare Krishna Mantra
B) Om Mani Padme Hum
C) Gayatri Mantra
D) Five homage (panca namaskara)
- 83. What is the basic ritual of worship in Jainism called?
A) Sallekhana
B) Devapuja
C) Abhisheka
D) Samayika
- 84. What phrase do Jains use to ask for forgiveness during Paryushana?
A) "Jai Jinendra"
B) "Ram Ram"
C) "Micchami Dukkadam"
D) "Namaste"
- 85. What is offered in Jain temples on Diwali morning?
A) Sweets
B) Diya
C) Nirvan Ladoo
D) Rice pudding
- 86. Which language do Śvētāmbara Jains believe the spoken scriptural language to be?
A) Ardhamagadhi
B) Prakrit
C) Pali
D) Sanskrit
- 87. How many original Jain scriptures do Śvētāmbaras believe they have preserved?
A) 50
B) 40
C) 30
D) 45
- 88. Who is considered the last ascetic with partial knowledge of the original Jain canon according to Digambaras?
A) Bhadrabahu
B) Āchārya Bhutabali
C) Kundakunda
D) Mahavira
- 89. Which text is considered authoritative by all traditions of Jainism?
A) Kalpa Sūtras
B) Shatkhandagama
C) Samayasara
D) Tattvarthasūtra
- 90. Which text is the oldest known Digambara Jain text attributed to Acharya Pushpdanta?
A) Samayasara
B) Niyamasara
C) Kasayapahuda
D) Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra
- 91. Which text is attributed to Acharya Bhutbali?
A) Samayasara
B) Tattvarthasūtra
C) Kasayapahuda
D) Shatkhandagama
- 92. Which museum houses the earliest known Jain image?
A) British Museum, London
B) Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai
C) Indian Museum, Kolkata
D) Patna Museum
- 93. What are yakshas and yakshinis in Jain art?
A) Attendant spirits who guard the tirthankara
B) Distinctive emblems of tirthankaras
C) Forms of meditation postures
D) Types of votive tablets
- 94. What type of votive tablet is used in early Jainism for donation and worship?
A) Samavasarana
B) Ayagapata
C) Tiloyapannati
D) Kahavaali
- 95. What is associated with each of the twenty-four tirthankaras?
A) Bronze images
B) Distinctive emblems
C) Ayagapata tablets
D) Cosmological diagrams
- 96. What is a moolnayak in a Jain temple?
A) A ceremonial staff
B) A type of ritual
C) The primary deity image
D) A sacred scripture
- 97. Which ancient Jain monument is located near Bhelsa (Vidisha)?
A) Dilwara Temples
B) Palitana Temples
C) Udaigiri Hills
D) Ellora Caves
- 98. Which temple marks the revival of Jainism in South India during the eighth century?
A) Kazhugumalai Temple
B) Mangi-Tungi Caves
C) Ellora Caves
D) Badami Caves
- 99. Which Jain Tirtha is the site of moksha for Mahaveera?
A) Palitana
B) Girnar
C) Pawapuri
D) Shikharji
- 100. What type of Jain Tirtha is Mahavirji considered to be?
A) Gyanakshetra
B) Atishayakshetra
C) Puranakshetra
D) Siddhakshetra
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