Study the following statements regarding Buddhism carefully : I. Buddhism grew rapidly, both during the lifeti

Question 16 of 24

Q. Study the following statements regarding Buddhism carefully : I. Buddhism grew rapidly, both during the lifetime and after the death of Buddha. II. Buddhism did not give much importance to conduct and values. III. Buddhism appealed to many people who were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices. IV. Buddhism laid much stress on superiority based on birth. Which of the above statements are correct ? (A) I and II (B) II and IV (C) I and III (D) III and IV

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Concept understanding — Religious Ethics

Religious Ethics: A First Look

Start with Intuition

Imagine you're standing at a crossroads. One path says: "Do this because it feels right." Another says: "Do this because society says so." But a third path whispers: "Do this because God (or the Divine, or the Ultimate Reality) commands it — and because this action aligns with the sacred purpose of life."

That third path is the heart of religious ethics.

At its simplest, religious ethics is the study of right and wrong as understood through the lens of a religious tradition. It asks: What does it mean to live a good life, not just for ourselves, but in relationship with the divine, with others, and with the cosmos?

The Precise Statement

Religious Ethics is the branch of moral philosophy that examines ethical principles, values, and duties as derived from, interpreted by, and grounded in a religious worldview. It explores how sacred texts, traditions, doctrines, and spiritual experiences shape moral reasoning and guide human conduct.

Key Features (Exam-Ready)

Source of Authority: Morality is not invented by humans but revealed or discovered through divine will, scripture (e.g., Bible, Quran, Vedas), or spiritual insight.
Teleological Orientation: Actions are often judged by their alignment with a ultimate purpose (e.g., moksha in Hinduism, salvation in Christianity, nirvana in Buddhism).
Community & Tradition: Ethics is lived within a faith community — it's not just individual choice but shared practice (e.g., dharma in Hinduism, sharia in Islam).
Transcendent Accountability: Right and wrong matter beyond this life — there is often a concept of reward/punishment (heaven/hell, karma/reincarnation).

Why It Matters (For Exams)

Aspect	Religious Ethics	Secular Ethics
Foundation	Divine command, scripture, tradition	Reason, human rights, social contract
Goal	Union with God, liberation, salvation	Human flourishing, justice, well-being
Motivation	Love of God, fear of judgment, spiritual growth	Rational duty, empathy, social harmony
Flexibility	Often fixed (revealed truths)	Evolves with reason & society

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Buddhism’s rapid spread (I) and its appeal to those dissatisfied with existing practices (III) are historically correct; it did emphasize conduct and rejected birth-based superiority, making II and IV false. The correct pair is I and III.

Let’s begin with the big picture. Buddhism arose in the 6th century BCE in a India marked by rigid social hierarchy, expensive Vedic rituals, and growing spiritual restlessness. The Buddha’s message was radical: it focused on ethical living, personal effort, and universal access to liberation — no sacrifices, no priestly monopoly, no caste barriers. That context is the key to judging each statement.

1. Statement I: “Buddhism grew rapidly, both during the lifetime and after the death of Buddha.”

This is true. During his lifetime, the Buddha attracted a large following — from kings like Bimbisara and Prasenajit to merchants, householders, and outcasts. The Sangha (monastic order) was established early, and lay disciples multiplied. After his death, the spread accelerated under royal patronage (especially Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE) and through missionary efforts. Buddhism reached Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and beyond within a few centuries. So I is correct.

2. Statement II: “Buddhism did not give much importance to conduct and values.”

This is false — in fact, the opposite is true. The Buddha’s entire teaching revolves around ethical conduct (śīla). The Eightfold Path includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood — all about moral behaviour. The Five Precepts (no killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, intoxicants) are the foundation for both monks and laypeople. Conduct and values are central, not marginal.

Watch out

A common mistake is to confuse Buddhism’s rejection of ritualism with a rejection of ethics. Rituals were downplayed; ethics were elevated.

3. Statement III: “Buddhism appealed to many people who were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices.” …

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Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

CBSE 2020Set 61/1/11 markMCQ
$Q. Study the following statements regarding Buddhism carefully : I. Buddhism grew rapidly, both during the lifetime and after the death of Buddha. II. Buddhism did not give much importance to conduct and values. III. Buddhism appealed to many people who were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices. IV. Buddhism laid much stress on superiority based on birth. Which of the above statements are correct ? (A) I and II (B) II and IV (C) I and III (D) III and IV$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Buddhism’s rapid spread (I) and its appeal to those dissatisfied with existing practices (III) are historically correct; it did emphasize conduct and rejected birth-based superiority, making II and IV false. The correct pair is I and III.

Let’s begin with the big picture. Buddhism arose in the 6th century BCE in a India marked by rigid social hierarchy, expensive Vedic rituals, and growing spiritual restlessness. The Buddha’s message was radical: it focused on ethical living, personal effort, and universal access to liberation — no sacrifices, no priestly monopoly, no caste barriers. That context is the key to judging each statement.

1. Statement I: “Buddhism grew rapidly, both during the lifetime and after the death of Buddha.”

This is true. During his lifetime, the Buddha attracted a large following — from kings like Bimbisara and Prasenajit to merchants, householders, and outcasts. The Sangha (monastic order) was established early, and lay disciples multiplied. After his death, the spread accelerated under royal patronage (especially Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE) and through missionary efforts. Buddhism reached Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and beyond within a few centuries. So I is correct.

2. Statement II: “Buddhism did not give much importance to conduct and values.”

This is false — in fact, the opposite is true. The Buddha’s entire teaching revolves around ethical conduct (śīla). The Eightfold Path includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood — all about moral behaviour. The Five Precepts (no killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, intoxicants) are the foundation for both monks and laypeople. Conduct and values are central, not marginal.

Watch out

A common mistake is to confuse Buddhism’s rejection of ritualism with a rejection of ethics. Rituals were downplayed; ethics were elevated.

3. Statement III: “Buddhism appealed to many people who were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices.” …
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