Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism ? I. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment. II. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas III. Denial of efficacy of rituals IV. Non-injury to animal life Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

The correct choice is II, III and IV. Both Buddhism and Jainism rejected the authority and supremacy of the Vedas, marking them as non‑Vedic śramaṇa traditions [3]. They also denied the efficacy of Vedic ritualism and animal sacrifice, emphasising ethical conduct and inner discipline over external rites [4]. Ahimsa or non‑injury to all living beings was a central shared value, practiced intensely in Jainism and significantly in Buddhism as well [2]. Statement I is not common: Buddhism taught the Middle Path that avoids extreme penance or indulgence, whereas Jainism is known for its rigorous ascetic practices and severe austerities, so avoidance of extreme penance was not a shared stance [4].

Sources

1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: India's Cultural Roots > Before we move on … > p. 122
2. [3] https://ncte.gov.in/oer/Forms/OERDocs/OERDoc/OERDoc_620_48572_11_08_2021.pdf
3. [4] https://jaingpt.org/knowledge/bramhanic_and_sramanic_culture_a_comparative_study_250030_250030
4. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: India's Cultural Roots > THINK ABOUT IT > p. 118