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Mahavira and Buddha Teachings ICSE Class 9 History

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History & CivicsICSE Class 9 · Jainism and Buddhism

Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha (ICSE Class 9 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Jainism (Mahavira) teaches the Tri-ratnas of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct, with ahimsa and the five vows, leading to moksha; Buddhism (the Buddha) teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path leading to nirvana. Both arose in the 6th century B.C. in reaction to costly rituals and the rigid varna system.

Understand Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha

1. Sources. Jain: the twelve *Angas* (in Prakrit). Buddhist: the *Tripitakas* (Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma Pitakas, in Pali) and the *Jatakas*, stories of the previous births of the Buddha.

2. Causes for the rise. Complex and costly Vedic rituals and animal sacrifices; the dominance of the Brahmanas; the rigid varna system that denied respect to lower groups; use of Sanskrit while the new teachers spoke Prakrit and Pali; and growth of trade, which favoured simple, non-violent faiths among the new merchants.

3. Jainism. Mahavira (Vardhamana) is the 24th and last Tirthankara. *Tri-ratnas*: right faith, right knowledge, right conduct. Right conduct rests on five vows: ahimsa, satya, asteya, aparigraha and brahmacharya. Doctrines: belief in *karma* and rebirth; *equality* of all in matter of liberation; strict *ahimsa* to every living being; the goal is *moksha*, liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death.

4. Buddhism. Siddhartha Gautama, born at Lumbini, attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, preached the first sermon at Sarnath and died at Kushinagar. *Four Noble Truths*: life is suffering; suffering has a cause, desire; it can be ended; the way to end it is the Eightfold Path.

5. Eightfold Path. Right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration. It is a middle path between luxury and severe self-denial. The goal is *nirvana*, the end of desire and of the cycle of rebirth.

Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha: key facts

Sources
Jain: Angas | Buddhist: Tripitakas, Jatakas
Jainism
  • 24th Tirthankara Mahavira
  • Tri-ratnas
  • Five vows
  • Moksha
Buddhism
  • Four Noble Truths
  • Eightfold Path
  • Nirvana
  • Sarnath sermon
Common causes
  • Costly rituals
  • Brahmana dominance
  • Rigid varna
  • Sanskrit language

Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A strict hostel rule

Suppose a hostel warden asks students to be non-violent in word and action, honest in speech, take only what they need, and keep fit.

Which Jain principles resemble this?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Non-violence: ahimsa.
  2. Honest speech: satya.
  3. Taking only what is needed: aparigraha.

Answer: Ahimsa, satya and aparigraha.

Memory hook: Do no harm, speak truth.

Tricks to remember Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • Three jewels RFK

    Right Faith, Knowledge, conduct.

    Use it when: Jain jewels.

  • 4+8

    Four Truths, Eightfold Path.

    Use it when: Buddhism.

Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Tri-ratnas · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name the three jewels (tri-ratnas) of Jainism. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Right faith.
  2. Right knowledge.
  3. Right conduct.

Answer: Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.

Example 2: Four Noble Truths · 4 marks · Short answerBoard level

State the Four Noble Truths. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Life is full of suffering.
  2. Suffering has a cause, desire.
  3. Suffering can be ended by removing desire.
  4. The path is the Eightfold Path.

Answer: Suffering, its cause (desire), its end and the path to end it.

Example 3: Compare · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Compare moksha in Jainism and nirvana in Buddhism with two similarities and one difference. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Both are the final aim of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
  2. Both need self-discipline and giving up attachment.
  3. Difference: Jainism speaks of liberation of the soul from karma, while Buddhism speaks of the extinction of desire without stressing a permanent soul.

Answer: Both free a person from rebirth; moksha is liberation of the soul from karma, nirvana is the end of desire.

Example 4: Causes of rise · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain three reasons why Jainism and Buddhism gained followers among common people. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Simple practice without costly rituals.
  2. They were preached in Prakrit and Pali, which people understood.
  3. They offered equality to all varnas and women.

Answer: Simplicity, local languages and equality.

Example 5: Source: the sermon · 6 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

Source. At Sarnath the Buddha tells his first disciples to avoid both luxury and severe self-denial and follow a middle way. (i) Name the place of the sermon. [1] (ii) Name the path he taught. [1] (iii) What did he say causes suffering? [2] (iv) How does his stress on a middle way differ from Mahavira's strict austerity? [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) Sarnath.
  2. (ii) The Eightfold Path.
  3. (iii) Desire.
  4. (iv) Mahavira stressed strict self-denial, while the Buddha stressed moderation.

Answer: (i) Sarnath (ii) Eightfold Path (iii) Desire (iv) Moderation versus strict austerity.

Where students lose marks in Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Mixing Buddha and Mahavira teachings

    Doctrines swapped.

    Do this: Tri-ratnas Jain; Eightfold Path Buddhist.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Writing Eightfold path with seven items

    Item missed.

    Do this: Memorise all eight.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Calling nirvana death

    Misconception.

    Do this: Nirvana is the end of desire and rebirth.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Name each doctrine with a one-line explanation.
  • Learn both faiths' places of events.
  • Keep similarities and differences separate.
  • Use respectful, neutral language.

Practice questions on Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The Tripitakas are the sacred books of:
    (a) Jainism
    (b) Buddhism
    (c) Hinduism
    (d) Sikhism

    Hint

    Pali.

    Answer

    (b) Buddhism.

  2. Q2 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

    Who was the 24th Tirthankara? [1]

    Hint

    Mahavira.

    Answer

    Mahavira.

  3. Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    Name two of the five vows of Jainism. [2]

    Hint

    Ahimsa.

    Answer

    Ahimsa and satya (any two).

  4. Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): Buddhism spread among ordinary people.
    Reason (R): It was preached in languages that people understood.
    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true but R is false.
    (d) A is false but R is true.

    Hint

    Pali.

    Answer

    (a).

  5. Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    What are the Jatakas and why are they useful to historians? [3]

    Hint

    Stories.

    Answer

    Stories of the Buddha's earlier births that show social life, trade and beliefs.

  6. Q6 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain the Jain idea of karma. [3]

    Hint

    Action.

    Answer

    Actions bind the soul; good conduct and vows free it from the bondage of karma.

  7. Q7 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    List the Eightfold Path and group it under wisdom, conduct and mental discipline. [4]

    Hint

    Groups.

    Answer

    Wisdom: right understanding and thought; conduct: speech, action, livelihood; discipline: effort, mindfulness, concentration.

  8. Q8 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why did the Brahmanical dominance make people turn to new faiths? [3]

    Hint

    Privilege.

    Answer

    Priests monopolised rituals and learning and maintained a rigid varna order, so others sought faiths of equality.

  9. Q9 · 4 marks · Source-basedHOTS / competency

    Source. "Whoever harms no living creature need fear none." (i) Which religion preaches this idea? [1] (ii) Name the principle. [1] (iii) How does this affect diet and occupation? [2]

    Hint

    Ahimsa.

    Answer

    (i) Jainism (also Buddhism). (ii) Ahimsa. (iii) It leads to vegetarianism and avoiding occupations that harm life.

  10. Q10 · 3 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Evaluate the claim that Jainism and Buddhism rejected the caste system completely. Give one argument for and one against. [3]

    Hint

    Rejected hierarchy.

    Answer

    For: both accepted followers of every varna; against: society continued to be caste-divided in practice.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Jain texts?Show answer

    Angas.

  2. 2.Buddha's first sermon place?Show answer

    Sarnath.

  3. 3.Buddhist texts?Show answer

    Tripitakas.

  4. 4.Last Tirthankara?Show answer

    Mahavira.

  5. 5.Goal in Buddhism?Show answer

    Nirvana.

Teachings of Mahavira and the Buddha: frequently asked questions

What is ahimsa?

Non-violence.

Where did the Buddha attain enlightenment?

Bodh Gaya.

What is the Sangha?

The community of monks and nuns.