Buddhism UPSC PYQ — Life of Buddha, Councils & Schools

Gautama Buddha was generally known by which epithets:
1. Nayaputta
2. Shakyamuni
3. Tathagata

1. A1 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C1, 2 and 3
4. DNone of the above

In which region was Dhanyakataka, a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

1. AAndhra
2. BGandhara
3. CKalinga
4. DMagadha

Are these statements about stupas correct:
1. The concept of stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. A stupa is generally a repository of relics.
3. A stupa is a votive and commemorative structure.

1. A1 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3

Which statements are correct:
1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika.
3. Deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

1. A1 and 2 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3

Which option best describes 'paramitas'?

1. AEarliest Dharmashastra texts in aphoristic style
2. BPhilosophical schools rejecting the Vedas
3. CPerfections whose attainment leads to the Bodhisattva path
4. DMerchant guilds of South India

Which of these are features of Mahayana Buddhism:
1. Definition of the Buddha
2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
3. Image worship and rituals

1. A1 only
2. B1 and 2 only
3. C2 and 3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3

In which relief sculpture inscription is 'Ranyo Ashoka' mentioned along with Ashoka's stone portrait?

1. AKanganahalli
2. BSanchi
3. CShahbazgarhi
4. DSohgaura

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
1. Lothal : Ancient dockyard
2. Sarnath : First Sermon of Buddha
3. Rajgir : Lion capital of Asoka
4. Nalanda : Great seat of Buddhist learning

1. A1, 2, 3 and 4
2. B3 and 4
3. C1, 2 and 4
4. D1 and 2

The concept of Eight-fold Path forms the theme of

1. ADipavamsa
2. BDivyavadana
3. CMahaparinibban Sutta
4. DDharma Chakara Pravartana Sutta

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was also known as

1. AVajrapani
2. BManjusri
3. CPadmapani
4. DMaitreya

Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals
4. Non-injury to animal life

1. A1, 2, 3 and 4
2. B2, 3 and 4
3. C1, 3 and 4
4. D1 and 2

Which one of the following is the most fundamental difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism?

1. AEmphasis on ahimsa
2. BCasteless society
3. CWorship of gods and goddesses
4. DWorship of stupa

In the Gandhara sculptures the preaching Mudra associated with the Buddha's First Sermon at Sarnath is

1. AAbhaya
2. BDhyana
3. CDharmachakra
4. DBhumisparsha

The Buddhist sect Mahayana formally came into existence during the reign of

1. AAjatashatru
2. BAshoka
3. CDharmapala
4. DKanishka

Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called chaityas while the others viharas. What is the difference between the two?

1. AChaityas is a place of worship while vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
2. BChaityas is the stupa at the far end of the cave while vihara is the hall axial to it
3. CThere is no material difference between the two
4. DVihara is a place of worship while chaityas is the dwelling place of the monks

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha

1. A1, 2 and 3
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C1, 3 and 4
4. D3 and 4 only

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha

1. A1, 2 and 3
2. B2 and 4
3. C3 and 4 only
4. D1, 3 and 4

Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times?
1. Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism.
2. The invading tribes from Central Asia till the time of last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists.
3. The Kings of Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism.

1. A1 only
2. B1 and 3 only
3. C2 and 3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3

Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three?

1. ABimbisara
2. BGautama Buddha
3. CMilinda
4. DPrasenjit

Consider the following statements:
1. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka.
2. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism.
Which of these statements given above is/are correct?

1. A1 only
2. B2 only
3. CBoth 1 and 2
4. DNeither 1 nor 2

Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir?

1. AParsva
2. BNagarjuna
3. CSudraka
4. DVasumitra