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Ancient History MCQs – 7 ( Buddhism )

Buddhism MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, State PSCs and other Examinations

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1. Buddha was born in :

(a) 623 B.C
(b) 602 B.C
(c) 523 B.C
(d) 563 B.C

Correct Answer – (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.
  • Buddha’s birth is celebrated as ‘Vesaka’ in some countries whereas in India, it is celebrated as Buddha Poornima.
  • More information about Budhha:
    • Parents: Śuddhodana (father) Mahamaya (mother) 
    • His mother died soon after his birth and he was raised by Prajapati Gautami.
    • Spouse: Yasodhara
    • Children: Rahula 
    • Other names: Shakyamuni (‘Sage of the Shakyas’) 
    • Masters(Gurus): Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta 
    • Died(Mahaparinirvana): 483 BCE (aged 80) at Kushinagar, Malla Republic (according to the Buddhist tradition)

2. In Buddhist scriptures, the leaving of home by Buddha is also called as :

(a) Mahabhinishkramana
(b) Enlightenment
(c) Dharmachakrapravartana
(d) Parinirvana

Correct Answer – (a) Mahabhinishkramana

  • In Buddhist scriptures, different life stages of Buddha has been called with different names which are as following : 
    • Leaving of home by Buddha or The Great Departure → Mahabhinishkramana
    • Enlightenment of Buddha →  Nirvana
    • First sermon given by Buddha → Dhammachakraparivartana
    • Death → Parinirvana

3. In Buddhist scriptures, Buddha’s birth is represented by which among the following symbols ?

(a) Lotus
(b) Horse
(c) Bodhi tree
(d) Stupa

Correct Answer – (a) Lotus

  • In Buddhist scriptures, different life stages of Buddha has been represented with different which are as following : 
  • Buddha’s birth → Lotus
  • Leaving of home by Buddha or The Great Departure → Horse
  • Enlightenment of Buddha →  Bodhi tree
  • First sermon given by Buddha → Wheel
  • Death → Stupa

4. The famous physician during Buddha’s time was :

(a) Charaka
(b) Jivaka
(c) Kautilya
(d) Nachiketa

Correct Answer – (b) Jivaka 

  • The famous physician during Buddha’s time was Jivaka. 
  • He was a famous physician in ancient India who lived around the 5th century BCE.
  • He belonged to the court of Bimbisara, the ruler of Magadha.
  • Pradyota was the ruler of Avanti Mahajanapada whose  jaundice was treated by Jivaka.
  • Sushruta was known as ‘Father of Indian Medicine’ and ‘Father of Plastic Surgery’. He wrote Sushruta Samhita.

5. According to Buddhism, the cause of all sorrows is ?

(a) Taṇha
(b) Krodh
(c) Maya
(d) Kama

Correct Answer – (a) Taṇha (Desire)

  • There are four noble truths in Buddhism also known as Arya Satyas which are as following : 
  1. Dukkha (Suffering) is an innate characteristic of existence in the realm of samsara.
  2. Samudaya (Origin) of this dukkha, which arises or ‘comes together’ with Taṇha (Desire or Attachment). 
  3. Nirodha (Cessation) of this dukkha can be attained by the renouncement of this Taṇha.
  4. Magga (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.

6. Buddhist religious scripture Tripitaka was written in :

(a) Bengali
(b) Pali
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Hindi

Correct Answer – (b) Pali 

  • Pitaka means basket.
  • Tripitaka are the sacred religious texts of Buddhism.
  • Tripitaka were written in Pali language which are mentioned as follows : 
  • Sutta Pitaka → It contains more than 10,000 suttas/teachings. 
  • Vinaya Pitaka → The regulatory framework for Sangha.
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka → Philosophical and psychological analysis and interpretation of Buddhist doctrines.

7. Buddhist doctrines are contained in which among the following texts ?

(a) Upanishads
(b) Dhammapada
(c) Jatakas
(d) Satapaths

Correct Answer – (b) Dhammapada

  • The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form.
  • It is one of the most commonly read and best known Buddhist scriptures.
  • Upaniṣads are Hindu ancient texts written in Sanskrit which contain the theories on meditation and philosophy.

8. Buddhist literatures Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa are associated with which among the following countries ?

(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Thailand
(c) China
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer – (a) Sri Lanka

  • Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa are associated with Sri Lanka.
  • Dipavamsa is also known as the ‘Chronicle of Island’. It is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka.
  • Mahavamsa is also known as the “Great Chronicle”. It’s a historical poem that provides details about the Kings of Sri Lanka.
  • They were written in Pali Language.

9. Buddha preached his first sermons at which among the following places ?

(a) Kasi
(b) Sarnath
(c) Kushinagar
(d) Bodh Gaya

Correct Answer – (b) Sarnath 

  • Gautama Buddha gave his first Sermon in the Deer Park at Sarnath. 
  • This event is also called ‘Dharmachakrapravartana ’ or ‘Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Dhamma’.
  • Sarnath is currently located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

10. Which among the following rulers was contemporary of both Buddha and Mahavira ?

(a) Pradyot
(b) Ajatasatru
(c) Bimbisara
(d) Chandragupta 1

Correct Answer – (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.
  • Ajatshatru patronized the first Buddhist Council that was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha at around 483 BC. 
  • Details about the Buddhist Councils:
  • 1st Buddhist Council :
    • Held at around 483 BC.
    • It was presided over by monk Mahakasyapa.
    • It was held in the Sattapani cave located at Rajgriha.
  • 2nd Buddhist Council :
    • Held in 383 BC.
    • It was held at Vaishali under the patronage of King Kalasoka and the presidency of Sabakami.
  • 3rd Buddhist Council :
    • It was held in 250 BC at Pataliputra under the patronage of King Asoka and under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa.
  • 4th Buddhist Council :
    • It was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir in 72 AD under the patronage of Kushan king Kanishka and the president of this council was Vasumitra, with Asvaghosa as his deputy.
    • In this council, Buddhism was divided into 2 sects of  Mahayana and Hinayana.

11. Which of the following was not a part of Tripitakas ?

(a) Sutta
(b) Abhidhamma
(c) Jatakas
(d) Vinaya

Correct Answer – (c) Jatakas 

  • Tipitaka in Pali means Three Baskets (Ti = Three, Pitaka = Basket). They are the religious 
  • Tripitaka are the sacred religious texts of Buddhism.
  • Tripitaka were written in Pali language which are mentioned as follows : 
    • Sutta Pitaka → It contains more than 10,000 suttas/teachings. 
    • Vinaya Pitaka → The regulatory framework for Sangha.
    • Abhidhamma Pitaka → Philosophical and psychological analysis and interpretation of Buddhist doctrines.
  • The Jataka tales are concerned with the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal forms.

12. Consider the following about Abhidhamma Pitaka.

1. It is a scripture of Jainism.
2. It contains Buddhist philosophy.
3. It was first compiled in Sanskrit.

Select the correct answer using the codes below :

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 2 only

Correct Answer – (c) 2 only

  • Abhidhamma Pitaka is one of the Tripitakas written down in Pali.
  • As Buddha’s teachings were oral, Soon after his death, His three main disciples known as Upali, Ananda and Mahakashyapa remembered his teachings and wrote it in the form of pitakas to pass them on to Buddha’s followers.
  • Upali and others wrote the Vinaya Pitaka whereas Ananda and others wrote the Sutta Pitaka.
  • Sometime later the Abhidhamma Pitaka consisting of Buddhist philosophy came into existence.

13. Consider the following statements about Vajrayana Buddhism:

1. It included various Buddhist traditions of Tantra.
2. It developed parallelly with Mahayana Buddhism in India.

Select the correct statements using the codes below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 & 2
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer –  (a) 1 Only

  • Vajrayana also known as Tantric Buddhism refers to the various Buddhist traditions of Tantra and ‘Secret Mantra’.
  • They are systems of beliefs and practices that developed in medieval India and spread to Tibet and East Asia in different names and forms.
  • Mahayana Buddhism is much older than Vajrayana.

14. The term Bodhisattvas have been subject to multiple interpretations in Buddhism. Which of the following is NOT one of them ?

(a) Bodhisattva was primarily used to refer to Gautama Buddha in his former life.
(b) Bodhisattva meant someone on the path to liberation.
(c) Bodhisattva was someone who delayed his final liberation to help other sentient beings.
(d) Bodhisattva was someone who became enlightened by the good karma of the Sangha.

Correct Answer – (d) Bodhisattva was someone who became enlightened by the good karma of the Sangha.

  • In early years of Buddhism, the term bodhisattva was primarily used to refer to the Buddha in his former life.
  • Later in Theravada literature, the term “Bodhisatta” was used for someone who was on the path to liberation or on the path to attain full Buddhahood.
  • However, the most accepted definition for Bodhisattva is the one who is eligible and aspires to become Buddha and then help other sentient beings to attain Buddhahood.

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