Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

Codex of Faiths · codexoffaiths.com

Jainism: quiz worksheet

A printable worksheet for the classroom: 8 multiple-choice questions on Jainism, with an answer key and explanations on the last page.

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Circle the letter of the best answer.

  1. Mahavira was which of the Jain Tirthankaras?

    1. A The first
    2. B The 12th
    3. C The 24th and last
    4. D The only one

  2. What does “Tirthankara” mean?

    1. A Sky-clad
    2. B Ford-maker
    3. C Teacher of kings
    4. D Conqueror of death

  3. Which principle shapes Jain life above all?

    1. A Devotion to a creator god
    2. B Ahimsa, non-violence towards every living being
    3. C The fire sacrifice
    4. D Obedience to a single acharya

  4. What does “Digambara” mean?

    1. A Sky-clad
    2. B Forest-dweller
    3. C Image-worshipper
    4. D White-clad

  5. Where was the Shvetambara canon written down in the 5th century CE?

    1. A Shravanabelagola
    2. B Mount Abu
    3. C Pataliputra
    4. D Valabhi

  6. Where does the colossal statue of Bahubali stand?

    1. A Palitana
    2. B Mount Abu
    3. C Shravanabelagola
    4. D Ranakpur

  7. Why do many observant Jains avoid root vegetables?

    1. A They grow in impure ground
    2. B Mahavira was allergic to them
    3. C They are reserved for offerings
    4. D Pulling up roots kills the whole plant and many tiny organisms

  8. What is anekantavada?

    1. A The many-sidedness of truth
    2. B The vow of non-attachment
    3. C Fasting to death
    4. D The liberated soul

Answer key

  1. C · The 24th and last. Jains believe 24 Tirthankaras renew the eternal teaching in each cycle of time; Parshvanatha was the 23rd.
  2. B · Ford-maker. They build a crossing over the river of rebirth. Jina, “conqueror”, gives Jainism its name.
  3. B · Ahimsa, non-violence towards every living being. Jains do not believe in a creator god; non-violence extends down to plants and the smallest insects.
  4. A · Sky-clad. The most advanced Digambara monks go naked; Shvetambaras, “white-clad”, wear white robes.
  5. D · Valabhi. Shvetambaras hold that the Agamas were recited by memory for about a thousand years before the council of Valabhi.
  6. C · Shravanabelagola. Raised by Chavundaraya in about 981, it is about 17 metres high and anointed every twelve years.
  7. D · Pulling up roots kills the whole plant and many tiny organisms. Many also avoid onions and garlic and do not eat after sunset.
  8. A · The many-sidedness of truth. No single viewpoint grasps reality whole.

From Codex of Faiths, codexoffaiths.com. You may print and copy this worksheet for teaching.