Buddhism – Old Year Questions and Answers

Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha, is a spiritual and philosophical tradition that originated in ancient India around the 5th century BCE.

At its core, Buddhism emphasizes the pursuit of enlightenment and liberation from suffering through the practice of meditation, ethical conduct, and the understanding of the nature of reality.

It revolves around the Four Noble Truths, which acknowledge the existence of suffering, its causes, the possibility of its cessation, and the path to achieve liberation known as the Eightfold Path.

Buddhism has since spread across the world, influencing countless individuals with its teachings on compassion, mindfulness, and the impermanence of all phenomena.

You can test your knowledge related to Buddhism and boost your preparation with following previous year questions asked in different civil service exams from this topic. Let’s start!

1. When was Gautam Buddha born?

(a) 563 B.C.
(b) 561 B.C.
(c) 558 B.C.
(d) 544 B.C.

[M.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]

 

2. Which of the events of Buddha’s life is known as ‘Mahabhinishkramana’?

(a) His death
(b) His birth
(c) His departure from home
(d) His attainment of enlightenment

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]

 

3. Gautam Buddha’s Mother was from which clan?

(a) Shakya clan
(b) Maya clan
(c) Licchavis clan
(d) Koliyan clan

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]

 

4. Gautam Buddha was born at –

(a) Vaishali
(b) Lumbini
(c) Kapilvastu
(d) Patliputra

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2002, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

 

5. Which of these is another name for Buddha?

(a) Parth
(b) Prachhanna
(c) Mihir
(d) Gudakesh
(e) None the these

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

 

6. From which inscriptions of the following dynasty Lumbini was known as Buddha’s birthplace.

(a) Mauryan
(b) Shung
(c) Satavahana
(d) Kushan

[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]

 

7. Which one of the following inscriptions of Ashoka confirms the tradition that Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini?

(a) Basarh Pillar Inscription
(b) Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription
(c) Rampurwa Pillar Inscription
(d) Rummindei Pillar Inscription

[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010]

 

8. The inscription of which one of the following kings gives the information that Sakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini?

(a) Ashoka
(b) Kanishka
(c) Harsha
(d) Dharmapala

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

 

9. Where did Mahatma Buddha’s ‘Mahaparinirvan’ take place?

(a) Lumbini
(b) Bodh Gaya
(c) Kushinagar
(d) Kapilvastu

[47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2011, 53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]

 

10. Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in the Republic of the–

(a) Mallas
(b) Lichchavi
(c) Sakyas
(d) Palas

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

 

11. Gautam Buddha attained “Mahaparinirvana” in the Kingdom of –

(a) Aung
(b) Magadha
(c) Malla
(d) Vatsa

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

 

12. Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana at which place?

(a) Kusinara
(b) Shravasti
(c) Lumbini
(d) Bodh Gaya

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997, Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

 

13. Mahaparinirvana Temple is located at

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

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2015]

 

14. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

1. Avanti 2. Gandhara
3. Kosala 4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2015, I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

 

15. Who was the last person to get enlightenment from Gautam Buddha?

(a) Anand
(b) Sariputta
(c) Mogglan
(d) Subhadda

[U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

 

16. Who amongst the following was the last person converted by the Buddha?

(a) Anand
(b) Vasumitra
(c) Goshal
(d) Subhadda

[U.P. R.O./ A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]

 

17. The ruler of Suvarnabhumi, who founded a Buddhist monastery at Nalanda and requested Devapala through his ambassador to grant, five villages for its maintenance was

(a) Dharanindra
(b) Sangramadhananjaya
(c) Balaputradeva
(d) Chudamanivarmana
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above.

[B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]

 

18. Where did Buddha reside during the last rainy season of his life?

(a) Shravasti
(b) Vaishali
(c) Kushinagar
(d) Sarnath

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

 

19. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?

(a) The extinction of the flame of desire
(b) The complete annihilation of self
(c) A state of bliss and rest
(d) A mental stage beyond all comprehension

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

 

20. Who was Alara Kalama?

(a) A disciple of Buddha.
(b) A distinguished Buddhist monk.
(c) A king of Buddha’s time.
(d) A teacher of Buddha.

[U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

 

21. At which place did Mahatma Buddha give his first ‘Dhammachakkhapavathana’?

(a) Lumbini
(b) Sarnath
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Vaishali

[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011, 47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

 

22. Where did Buddha preach his first sermon?

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

[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

 

23. Who gave his first sermon in Sarnath?

(a) Mahavir
(b) Sankaracharya
(c) Mahatma Buddha
(d) Guru Nanak

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]

 

24. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at

(a) Vaishali
(b) Kaushambi
(c) Sarnath
(d) Pawapuri

[56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015]

 

25. In Buddhist text “Dharmachakra Parvartana” is known as –

(a) His (Buddha) sight
(b) First Sermon at Sarnath
(c) His religious norms
(d) Buddha rituals

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

 

26. ‘Dharmachakrapravartana’ was performed at –

(a) Sanchi
(b) Sravasti
(c) Sarnath
(d) Vaishali

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

 

27. Gautam Buddha gave the maximum number of sermons at which place?

(a) Vaishali
(b) Shravasti
(c) Kaushambi
(d) Rajgriha

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

 

28. Which philosophy accepts ‘Triratna’?

(a) Buddhism
(b) Nyaya philosophy
(c) Yoga philosophy
(d) Jainism
(e) None of these

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

 

29. What does ‘Triratna’ mean in Buddhism?

(a) Tripitaka
(b) Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
(c) Sheel, Samadhi, Sangha
(d) Satya, Ahinsa, Karuna

[U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2017]

 

30. Buddha visited Kaushambi during the reign of

(a) Satanika
(b) Udayana
(c) Bodhi
(d) Nicakshu

[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]

 

31. The first Buddhist Conference after the death of Buddha was presided over by:

(a) Mahakashyapa
(b) Dharmasen
(c) Ajatashatru
(d) Nagasen

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

 

32. ‘Saptaparni Cave’ is situated in –

(a) Sanchi
(b) Nalanda
(c) Rajgriha
(d) Pawapuri

[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

 

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

(a) Parsva
(b) Nagarjuna
(c) Sudraka
(d) Vasumitra

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]

 

34. ‘Mahayana’ sect and Buddhism emerged during the reign of –

(a) Ajatshatru
(b) Ashoka
(c) Dharmapala
(d) Kanishka

[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

 

35. A Buddhist Council during the reign of Kanishka was held at –

(a) Magadha
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Kashmir
(d) Rajgriha

[47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005]

 

36. Four Buddhist Councils were held in the following places. Arrange them in chronological order by using the code given below :

1. Vaishali
2. Rajgriha

3. Kundalavana
4. Pataliputra

Code :

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4
(b) 4, 3, 2, 1
(c) 2, 1, 3, 4
(d) 2, 1, 4, 3

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]

 

37. The second Buddhist Council was held at which place?

(a) Rajgriha
(b) Vaishali
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Kashi (Varanasi)

[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains)2014]

 

38. Where was the third Buddhist Council held?

(a) Taxila
(b) Sarnath
(c) Bodhgaya
(d) Pataliputra

[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]

 

39. The first Buddhist Council was held during the reign of

(a) Aniruddha
(b) Ajatshatru
(c) Bimbisara
(d) Udayabhadra

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

 

40. The first Buddhist council was held in which of the following cities?

(a) Nalanda
(b) Gaya
(c) Rajgir
(d) Bodhgaya

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

 

41. The second Buddhist- Council was organized by

(a) Ajatashatru
(b) Kalasoka
(c) Ananda
(d) Ashoka

[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994]

 

42. Four important events of Buddha’s life and thereby related four places are mentioned below.
Match Schedule- I and Schedule- II and select the correct answer from the codes given below –

Schedule – I Schedule – II
A. Birth 1. Sarnath
B. Enlightenment 2. Bodhgaya
C. First preaching 3. Lumbini
D. Death 4. Kushinagar

Code :
A B C D
(a) 1 2 4 3
(b) 2 3 1 4
(c) 3 2 1 4
(d) None of the above.

[41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

 

43. Which event of Buddha’s life is represented by the wheel with deer, in Indian Art?

(a) Great Departure
(b) Enlightenment
(c) First preaching
(d) Nirvana

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002]

 

44. Match List- I (Sign) with List II (Meaning) and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
 List-I (Sign)                 List–II (Meaning)

 Birth Bodhi tree
First Sermon Dharma Chakra
Enlightenment Horse
Great- Departure Lotus

Code :
A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 4 2 1 3

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

 

45. Karmapa Lama belongs to which of the following sects of Tibetan Buddhism?

(a) Gelugpa
(b) Kangyupa
(c) Sakyapa
(d) Lingamapa

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

 

46. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Lord Buddha?

1. He was born in Kapilvastu.
2. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
3. He discarded the Vedic religion.
4. He preached noble truths

Select the correct answer from the codes given below :

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

[U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

 

47. Mahabodhi Temple was built at Bodh Gaya where-

(a) Gautama Buddha was born
(b) Gautama Buddha received enlightenment
(c) Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon
(d) Gautama Buddha passed away

[45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

 

48. The ‘Bodhi Vriksh’ in Bodh Gaya belongs to which generation of its family

(a) Third
(b) Fourth
(c) Fifth
(d) Sixth

[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

 

49. Which of the following Buddhist sacred places is situated on the Bank of River Niranjana?

(a) Bodhgaya
(b) Kushinagar
(c) Lumbini
(d) Rishipatan

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

 

50. The teachings of Buddha are related to –

(a) Spirit disputes
(b) Celibacy
(c) Religious rituals
(d) Purity and holiness of conduct

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

 

51. Who among the following wanted to become the leader of the Sangha even during the lifetime of Buddha –

(a) Devadatta
(b) Mahakassapa
(c) Upali
(d) Ananda

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

 

52. Whom of the following did Gautam Buddha nominate for the leadership of the Buddhist Sangha after his death?

(a) Ananda
(b) Mahakassapa
(c) Upali
(d) None of the above

[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

 

53. After the Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha, the first Buddhist council was held at

(a) Rajgriha (Rajgir)
(b) Gaya
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Vaishali
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

[B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]

 

54. The concept of the Eightfold path forms the theme of :

(a) Dipavamsa
(b) Divyavadana
(c) Mahaparinibban
(d) Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutta

[I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

 

55. Which of the following is/are true about Gautam Buddha?

1. He believes in “Karma”
2. He believes in rebirth
3. Attaining Nirvana
4. Belief in the power of God

Code :

(a) Only 1, 2, 3
(b) Only 1, 2
(c) Only 1
(d) All are true

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

 

56. The entry of women as a “Bhikshuni” into the Buddhist Sangha was allowed by Gautam Buddha at –

(a) Shravasti
(b) Vaishali
(c) Rajgriha
(d) Kushinagar

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

 

57. Who is called a ‘Crypto-Buddhist’?

(a) Shankara
(b) Kapil
(c) Ramanuja
(d) Patanjali

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

58. What is “Tripitaka”?

(a) Three monkeys of Gandhiji
(b) Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh
(c) Triratnas of Mahavira
(d) Collection of the preachings of Buddha

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2003, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

 

59. Which of the following Buddhist texts contains the rules of Monastic life?

(a) Digha-Nikaya
(b) Vinaya Pitaka
(c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
(d) Vibhasha Shastra

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

 

60. Which of the following Buddhist literature contains the Buddha’s sermons on matters of ethics and doctrine?

(a) Vinaya Pitaka
(b) Jataka Stories
(c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
(d) Sutta Pitaka

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

 

61. “Yamaka” belongs to the Buddhist “Pitaka”.

(a) Sutta
(b) Vinaya
(c) Abhidhamma
(d) None of these

[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

 

62. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the :

(a) Occasion to elect the Sanghparinayaka and two speakers one on Dhamma and the other on Vinaya
(b) Confession by monks of their offenses committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season.
(c) Ceremony of initiation of a new person into the Buddhist Sangha in which the head is shaved and when yellow robes are offered
(d) Gathering of Buddhist monks on the next day to the full-moon day of Ashadha when they take up a fixed abode for the next four months of the rainy season.

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]

 

63. Ashokaram Monastery was situated at –

(a) Vaishali
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Kaushambi
(d) Shravasti

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

 

64. Where is the ‘Vishwa Shanti Stupa’ highest in the world located in Bihar –

(a) Vaishali
(b) Nalanda
(c) Rajgir
(d) Patna

[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

 

65. The Giant Buddha statue of 80 feet at Bodhgaya was constructed by –

(a) Japanese
(b) People of Thailand (Thai)
(c) Srilankan
(d) Bhutanese

[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1993]

 

66. Where the word ‘Stupa’ has been used for the first time?

(a) Rigveda
(b) Jatak Katha
(c) Artha Shastra
(d) Astadhyayee
(e) None of these

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

 

67. The Stupa site which is not connected with any incident of Lord Buddha’s life, is :

(a) Sarnath
(b) Sanchi
(c) Bodhgaya
(d) Kusinara

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011, U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

 

68. It was also the ancient name of the world-famous tourist destination of Sanchi

(a) Kaknam
(b) Vetravati
(c) Besnagari
(d) Dashpura

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2020]

 

69. Which is the correct chronological order of the following stupas?

(a) Bharhut, Sanchi, Amaravati, Dhamekh
(b) Amaravati, Sanchi, Bharhut, Dhamekh
(c) Sanchi, Amaravati, Bharhut, Dhamekh
(d) Dhamekh, Bharhut, Amaravati, Sanchi

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]

 

70. “World is unstable and transient “ is related to which of the following?

(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Gita
(d) Vedanta

[U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

 

71. Who advocated ‘Neo-Buddhism’?

(a) Radhakrishnan
(b) Tagore
(c) Ambedkar
(d) Vivekananda

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

72. Who among the following is known as the ‘Light of Asia’?

(a) Gautama Buddha
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Mahavir Swami
(d) Swami Vivekanand

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

 

73. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?

(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts are written in aphoristic (sutra) style
(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India.

[I.A.S. (Pre.) 2020]

 

74. Sir Edwin Arnold’s book ‘The Light of Asia’ is based on–

(a) Divavadana
(b) Lalitvistar
(c) Suttapitak
(d) Abhidhammapitak

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]

 

75. What is the fundamental difference between the Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism?

(a) Belief in Non-violence
(b) Caste-free society
(c) Worship of God and Goddess
(d) Worship of stupas

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

 

76. Gautama Buddha was elevated to the position of God during the period of –

(a) Asoka
(b) Kanishka
(c) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(d) Harsha

[45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

 

77. The first human statues worshipped in India were those of–

(a) Brahma
(b) Vishnu
(c) Buddha
(d) Shiva

[R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2010]

 

78. The oldest sculpture of Buddha is made in which style?

(a) Gandhara Style
(b) Mathura Style
(c) Mauryan Style
(d) Gupta Style
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

[66th B.P.S.C. Re-Exam (Pre) 2020]

 

79. Which of the following laid the foundation of idol worship in the country?

(a) Jainism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Ajivikas
(d) Vedic religion

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

 

80. Name the ‘Mudra’ which is represented by the Gandharan Buddha image of Sarnath’s first Sermon.

(a) Abhaya
(b) Dhyana
(c) Dharm Chakra
(d) Bhumisparsha

[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

 

81. The standing statue of Gautam Buddha was built in which period?

(a) Gupta Period
(b) Kushana Period
(c) Maurya Period
(d) Guptotar Period

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

 

82. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called; ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes.

(a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
(b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
(c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus life is transitory
(d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context.

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

 

83. Sarnath Buddha’s image of Bhumisparsha Mudra belongs to –

(a) Maurya period
(b) Shunga period
(c) Kushana period
(d) Gupta period

[U.P.P.C.S.(Mains)2009]

 

84. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs :

1. Parivrajaka – Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana – Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka – Lay follower of Buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

 

85. Assertion (A): Kushinagar was the capital of the Malla Republic.
Reason (R): Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana took place in Kushinagar.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]

 

86. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

1. Lothal: Ancient dockyard
2. Sarnath: First Sermon of Buddha
3. Rajgir: Lion capital of Ashoka
4. Nalanda: Great seat of Buddhist learning

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Code :

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2, and 4
(d) 1 and 2

[I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

 

87. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was also known as :

(a) Vajrapani
(b) Manjusri
(c) Padmapani
(d) Maitreya

[I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

 

88. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements :

1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
2. The Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given below is/are correct?

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

[I.A.S. (Pre.) 2020]

 

89. Consider the following :

1. Deification of the Buddha
2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
3. Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

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

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

90. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

 

91. The largest and the most evolved rock-cut Chaitya hall of the Hinayana phase is situated at :

(a) Pitalkhora
(b) Junnar
(c) Karle
(d) Bedsa

[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

 

92. Which Indian Buddhist monk had been sent to China in the first century A.D.?

(a) Tsang
(b) Ashvaghosha
(c) Vasumitra
(d) Nagarjuna

[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

 

93. The Doctrine of void (Shunyata) was propounded by the Buddhist philosopher :

(a) Nagarjuna
(b) Nagasena
(c) Ananda
(d) Ashvaghosha

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]

 

94. To which Buddhist School did Nagarjuna belong?

(a) Sautrantika
(b) Vaibhashika
(c) Madhyamika
(d) Yogachara

[Uttrakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2007]

 

95. Buddhist center of learning is –

(a) Vikramshila
(b) Varanasi
(c) Girnar
(d) Ujjain

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2004]

 

96. Which one of the following rulers did not contribute towards the expansion of Buddhism?

(a) Harshavardhan
(b) Kanishka
(c) Ashoka
(d) Pushyamitra Shunga

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

 

97. Which among the following state ‘Odantipur’ Education Centre was situated?

(a) Bengal
(b) Bihar
(c) Gujarat
(d) Tamil Nadu
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

[60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

 

98. Vallabhi University was situated in –

(a) Bihar
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Bengal
(d) Gujarat

[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

 

99. Who was the founder of Nalanda University?

(a) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(b) Kumargupta
(c) Dharmapal
(d) Pushyagupta

[56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015]

 

100. Why was Nalanda University famous in the world?

(a) Medical Science
(b) Philosophy
(c) Buddhist Religious Philosophy
(d) Chemical Science

[42nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]

 

101. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

 

Q 102. Out of the two statements below first is Assertion(A) and the second is Reason (R), Carefully read both statements-

Assertion (A): Till the end of the twelfth century Nalanda Mahavihara lost its glory
Reason (R): State protection ceased to be available to Mahavihara. With respect to the above-mentioned two statements,

which of the following is true?

(a) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

[41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

 

103. ‘Nav Nalanda Mahavihar’ is famous for –

(a) Hsuan-Tsang memorial
(b) Birthplace of Mahavir
(c) Pali Research Centre
(d) Museum

[48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

 

104. 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 efficiency of rituals
4. Non-injury to animal life

Select the answer using the code given below :

Code :

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1,3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2

[I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

 

105. Which one of the following is not common between Buddhism and Jainism?

(a) Ahimsa
(b) Indifference to Vedas
(c) Self-mortification
(d) Rejection of Rituals

[44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]

 

106. Lord Buddha preached the following four noble truths. Put them in the correct order using the codes given below :

A. There is suffering.
B. There is a cessation of suffering.
C. There is a path leading to the cessation of suffering.
D. There is a cause of suffering.

Code :

(a) ADBC
(b) ADCB
(c) ACBD
(d) ABDC

U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006

 

107. Both Jainism and Buddhism believe that:

(a) Philosophy of karma and transmigration of the soul were correct
(b) Salvation could be possible only after death
(c) Both men and women could attain salvation
(d) The middle course of life was the best one

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

 

108. According to the philosophy of Buddhism :

Assertion (A): Rejected the concept of Rebirth.
Reason (R): The soul is mortal.

Choose the correct option:

(a) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is the proper explanation of (A).
(b) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is not the proper explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is untrue.
(d) (A) is untrue, but (R) is true.

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

 

109. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about Buddhism?

1. It did not reject caste and class.
2. It challenged the highest social ranked Brahmins.
3. It pointed to certain castes as low.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below.

Code :

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1, 2, and 3
(d) None of the above

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]

 

110. Anatmavada (no-self) is the doctrine of

(a) Sankhya
(b) Vedanta
(c) Buddhism
(d) Jainism
(e) None of these

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

 

Q 111. The reason included in the expansion of Buddhism–

1. The simplicity of religion
2. Special appeal towards Dalits
3. Missionary concept of religion
4. Regional language
5. The soundness of Vedic spirit by Philosophers

Code :

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3, 4 and 5

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]

 

112. Who has propounded the doctrine of momentariness?

(a) Buddha
(b) Jaina
(c) Charvaka
(d) Nyaya
(e) None of these

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

 

113. Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times?

1. Buddha was by that time considered one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism.
2. The invading tribes from Central Asia till the time of the last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists.
3. The Kings of the Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

 

114. Consider the following statements, What is the difference between chaityas and viharas?

(a) Viharas is a place of worship while chaitya is the dwelling place of the Buddhist monks.
(b) Chaitya is a place of worship while Vihar is a dwelling place.
(c) There is no particular difference between both of them.
(d) Viharas and Chaityas both are used as dwelling places.

[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

 

115. Consider the following statements:

1. The early chaityagrihas and viharas of Guntuphalli in West Godavari district are rock cut.
2. The chaityas and Viharas of Eastern Deccan are usually rock cut.

Of these statements:

(a) Only 1 is correct
(b) Only 2 is correct
(c) Both 1 and 2 are correct
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

 

116. Which form of Buddhism was prominent during the Sultanate period?

(a) Theravada
(b) Hinayana
(c) Vajrayana
(d) Tantrayana

[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

 

117. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?

(a) Avalokiteshvara
(b) Lokesvara
(c) Maitreya
(d) Padmapani

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

 

118. Which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora River.
(b) Sanchi Stupa llies in the gorge of the Chambal River.
(c) Pandu-lena Cava Shrines lie in the gorge of the Narmada River.
(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of the Godavari River.

[I.A.S. (Pre.) 2021]