"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other…

"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects." The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
  1. Buddhism
  2. Jainism
  3. Shaivism
  4. Vaishnavism

Solution

Per the official UPSC key, the answer is C. Most commentators argued B — Jainism's doctrine of jiva in all things — but UPSC's official key marks C.

Asked in: UPSC Prelims 2023

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