Question

Read the given passage and answer the following questions:  (4)

How do we know about the Buddha’s teachings? These have been reconstructed by carefully editing, translating, and analysing the Buddhist texts mentioned earlier. Historians have also tried to reconstruct details of his life from hagiographies. Many of these were written down at least a century after the time of the Buddha, in an attempt to preserve memories of the great teacher.

1. What do you understand by the term ‘hagiographies?  (1)
2. Write any one teaching/philosophy of Buddha.  (1)
3. Why did art historians need to acquire familiarity with hagiographies?  (2)

Answer 1

1.

1. Hagiography is a biography of a saint or religious leader. Hagiographies often praise the saint’s achievements and may not always be literally accurate.
2. They are important because they tell us about the beliefs of the followers of that tradition.

2.

1. The world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing; it is also soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence.
2. It is by following the path of moderation between severe penance and self-indulgence that human beings can rise above these worldly troubles. (Any other relevant point can be given)

3.

1. Art historians had to acquire familiarity with hagiographies of the Buddha to understand Buddhist sculpture.
2. According to hagiographies, the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree.
3. Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form; instead, they showed his presence through symbols.
4. The empty seat was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa was meant to represent the Mahaparinirvana. Another frequently used symbol was the wheel. This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath.
5. As is obvious, such sculptures cannot be understood literally; for instance, the tree does not stand simply for a tree but symbolises an event in the life of the Buddha. To understand such symbols, historians must familiarise themselves with the traditions of those who produced these works of art.