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: Codes:

The correct answer is B because statements II, III, and IV represent shared beliefs, while statement I describes a fundamental difference between the two religions. Statement I is incorrect because only Buddhism followed the Middle Path, which avoids the extremes of luxury and self mortification. Jainism, conversely, advocated for extreme penance and rigorous asceticism, including fasting to death. Statement II is correct because both religions were heterodox schools that rejected the divine origin and supreme authority of the Vedas. Statement III is correct because both movements arose as a reaction against the complex, expensive, and superstitious rituals and sacrifices led by the Brahminical order. Statement IV is correct because both religions emphasized Ahimsa or non violence toward living beings. While Jainism practiced this more strictly, the core principle of non injury was central to both.