Which of the following is a valid comparison between Mahavira and Siddhartha Gautama?
A) Both believed that by strict adherence to caste rules one might be reborn into a higher caste.
B) Both believed that prayer rituals to the gods must be strictly observed so that the gods would intercede to aid the believer.
C) Both were Kshatriyas who spent part of their lives practicing asceticism.
D) Both believed that asceticism is the path to permanent bliss.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mahavira and Siddhartha Gautama were both Kshatriyas (members of the warrior caste) who renounced their worldly possessions and practiced asceticism in search of enlightenment. However, they did not believe in strict adherence to caste rules or prayer rituals to the gods. They instead believed in the importance of self-realization and the elimination of desire as the path to liberation. Option A is incorrect because both Jainism (Mahavira's teachings) and Buddhism (Siddhartha Gautama's teachings) rejected the notion of caste hierarchy. Option B is incorrect because both Mahavira and Siddhartha Gautama taught that individual action, not divine intervention, was the key to achieving enlightenment. Option D is incorrect because while both Mahavira and Siddhartha Gautama practiced asceticism, they did not believe it was the only path to liberation.

Which of the Following Is a Valid Comparison Between Mahavira