Ancient History MCQs – 7 ( Buddhism )

Ans - A ( 1.It included various Buddhist traditions of Tantra.).

• Vajrayana, or Tantric Buddhism refers to the various Buddhist traditions of Tantra and "Secret Mantra", which are systems of beliefs and practices that developed in medieval India and spread to Tibet and East Asia under varying names and forms.
• It included practices that make use of mantras, mudras, mandalas and the visualization of deities and Buddhas.

Ans - C ( 2.It contains Buddhist philosophy.).

• Buddha's teaching was oral.
• His three main disciples known as Upali, Ananda and Mahakashyapa remembered his teachings and passed them on to his followers.
• It is believed that soon after the Buddha’s death, a council was organized at Rajagriha where Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka (rules of the order) and Ananda recited the Sutta Pitaka (Buddha’s sermons or doctrines and ethics).
• Sometime later the Abhidhamma Pitaka consisting of Buddhist philosophy came into existence.
• They were written down in Pali.

Ans - C ( Jatakas ).

• Tipitaka in Pali means Three Baskets (Ti = Three, Pitaka = Basket). 
• Three Baskets (of scriptures) are:

1. Sutta-Pitaka: Discourses of the Buddha.
2. Vinaya-Pitaka: Origin of the sangha, Rules for monks and nuns. 
3. Abhidharma-Pitaka: Writings and discourses on Buddhist psychology and philosophy.
   

• Jataka are a voluminous body of literature native to India concerning the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal forms.

Ans - B ( Ajatasatru ).

• Ajatashatru was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha.
• He was the son of King Bimbisara and was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. 

Ans - B ( Saranath).

• Gautama Buddha gave his first Sermon in the Deer Park at Sarnath. 
• It is also called ‘Dharmachakrapravartana ’ or ‘Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Dhamma’. 

Ans - B ( Dhammapada ).

• The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best-known Buddhist scriptures.

• The Jataka tales are a voluminous body of literature native to India concerning the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal forms.

Ans - B ( Pali  ).

• Pitaka means basket.
• Tripitaka was written in Pali language. 
  
• Sutta Pitaka : It contains more than 10,000 suttas/teachings. 
• Vinaya Pitaka : the regulatory framework for the sangha.
• Abhidhamma Pitaka : Philosophical and psychological analysis and interpretation of Buddhist doctrine.

Ans - A ( Taṇhā(Desire) ).

The four noble truth by Buddha (Arya Satyas): 

1. Dukkha (suffering, incapable of satisfying, painful) is an innate characteristic of existence in the realm of samsara.
2. Samudaya (origin, arising) of this dukkha, which arises or 'comes together' with taṇhā ('craving, desire or attachment'). 
3. Nirodha (cessation, ending) of this dukkha can be attained by the renouncement or letting go of this taṇhā. 
4. Magga (path, Noble Eightfold Path) is the path leading to renouncement of tanha and cessation of dukkha.
   

They are traditionally identified as the first teaching given by the Buddha, and considered one of the most important teachings in Buddhism.

Ans - B ( Jivaka ).

• Sushruta was known as “Father of Indian Medicine” and “Father of Plastic Surgery”. Jivika was a personal physician of Haryanka king Bimbisara.

   

Ans - D ( 563 B.C ).

• Gautama Buddha lived between 563 BCE to 483 BCE.
•  He was born into an aristocratic family in the Shakya clan in Lumbini near Kapilavastu, Nepal.
• More information about Budhha:
  • Parents: Śuddhodana (father) Maya Devi (mother) 
  • Spouse: Yasodharā 
  • Children: Rāhula 
  • Other names: Shakyamuni ('Sage of the Shakyas') 
  • Masters(Gurus): Alara Kalama and Uddaka Rāmaputta 
  • Died(Mahaparinirvana): c. 483 BCE (aged 80) Kushinagar, Malla Republic (according to the Buddhist tradition)