Question

The concept of anuvrata was advocated by:
A) Mahayana Buddhism
B) Jainism
C) Lokayakta School
D) Hinayana Buddhism

Answer 1

Hint: The anuvratas are vowed to abstain from falsehood, violence, and stealing; to be content with their own wife, and to limit one's possessions. The other vows are supplementary and meant to strengthen and protect the vows of anuvratas.

Complete answer:
Followers of Jainism believe that non-injury is the highest religion. Jains aim to live in such a way that their jiva or soul doesn't get any more karma, and so that the karma already has either helped or eliminated decay. By following a disciplined life path they achieve this concept. The path of Dharma (truth, teaching) that Mahavira advocated was one of strict renunciation, asceticism, and moral cultivation. He instructed his followers to cultivate the right knowledge, right belief, and right conduct. Emerging from the above three jewels and relating to right conduct, there are five abstinences, which are the vows of:
Ahimsa (non-violence)
Satya (truthfulness)
Asteya (not stealing)
Aparigraha (non-acquisition)
Brahmacarya (chaste living)
There are two forms of the above five vows:
Mahavrata: the five great vows followed by Jain nuns and monks.
Anuvrata: the lesser vows followed by Jain laypeople. These are less strict versions of mahavratas.
The first five vows or the anuvratas or the partial vows (anu-“tiny”) are more moderate versions of the mahavratas: abstinence from gross falsehood, gross violence, and gross stealing; contentment with one’s own wife; and limitation of their possessions. The remaining four Shiksha-vratas and the three gunavratas are intended to encourage observance of the anuvratas.

So, the correct option is Option B.

Note The five great vows or the mahavratas are undertaken for life only by ascetics and include vows of abstention from lying and stealing, chastity, non-injury, and renunciation of all possessions. The laity, however, is not expected to strictly observe these vows. A layperson that has passed through the preliminary stages of gunasthana or spiritual discipline may promise to observe 12 vows for a period of time and may renew the pledge at the completion of that time period.