Buddhism

Total Questions: 138

101. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 1998]

List-IList-II
1. LothalAncient dockyard
2. SarnathFirst Sermon of Buddha
3. RajgirLion capital of Ashoka
4. NalandaGreat seat of Buddhist learning

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Code :

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4
Solution:Rajgir is a pilgriage centre for Buddhist, Hindus, and Jains and is famous for its hot water springs. Lion Capital of Ashoka is in Sarnath not in Rajgir. The remains of ancient dockyard are found from Lothal, Gujarat. Mahatma Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. Nalanda was a great seat of Buddhist learning.

102. In the Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara wasalso known as : [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (c) Padmapani
Solution:"Padmapani or "Lotus-Bearer" is one of the most common epithets of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of infinite compassion. This superbly modelled sculpture stands in a tribhanga or tri-bent pose.

A Bodhisattva is a living being (sattva) who aspires to enlightenment (bodhi) and carries out altruistic practices. The Bodhisattva ideal is central to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition as the individual who seeks enlightenment both for himself or herself and for others.

103. 'Aryamanjushrimulakalpa' is related to which of the following ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (d) Vajrayana
Solution:The term "Aryamanjushrimulakalpa' refers to a Buddhist tantric text. It is associated with Mahayan and Vajrayana Buddhism. This text is a part of the broader corpus of Buddhist scriptures that provide instructions on various rituals, meditations and practices aimed at attaining enlightenment.

104. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020]

1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the statements given below is/are correct ?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:Sthaviravadins belong to the Hinyana set of Buddhism. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism while deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.

105. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (c) Maitreya
Solution:Maitreya makes his first appearance in Buddhist scriptures in the Lakkavatti Sutta of Pali Tripitika. In this sutta, the Buddha spoke of a future time in which the dharma is entirely forgotten.

Eventually, "Another Buddha- Matireya will gain awakening, his monastic Sangh numbering in the thousand, the Buddha said. This is the only time the historical Buddha is recorded as mentioning Maitreya.

106. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statement : [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to 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 statement given above is/are correct ?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:The bodhisattva is a compound word from bodhi (enlightenment) and sattva (essence, spirit). Boddhisatva is the goal and ideal of Mahayana Buddhism.

The Mahayana Buddhist do not aspire to enlightenment purely to free themselves from suffering, but they do so out of compassion to liberate other sentient beings. They delya achieving their salvation to help all sentient being on their path to do it.

107. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at - [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (a) Ajanta
Solution:The paintings of Bodhisattva Padampani is one of the most famous art structure in the cave I of Ajanta. Padampani in Sanskrit literally translates into "one who holds the lotus". The Bodhisattva Padmapani sits among a crowd of devotees, both princesses and commoners with long, dark hair handing down below a jewelled crown, he stands holding his attribute, a blue lotus flower in his right hand.

108. The painting of 'Bodhisattva Padmapani' is located at [69ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (c) Ajanta
Solution:The paintings of Bodhisattva Padampani is one of the most famous art structure in the cave I of Ajanta. Padampani in Sanskrit literally translates into "one who holds the lotus". The Bodhisattva Padmapani sits among a crowd of devotees, both princesses and commoners with long, dark hair handing down below a jewelled crown, he stands holding his attribute, a blue lotus flower in his right hand.

109. The largest and the most evolved rock-cut Chaitya hall of the Hinayana phase is situated at : [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (c) Karle
Solution:The Chaitya is the largest and most evolved cave temples of the Hinayana phase of Buddhism, situated at Karle in Pune district of Maharashtra.

110. In which of the following rock cut caves eleven headed Bodhisattva image is depicted ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (c) Kanheri
Solution:The Kanheri caves located in salsette island are a major tourist destination of the city of Mumbai in Maharashtra. These caves are located in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park complex. Kanheri mentioned in ancient records as Kanhashail, Krishnagiri, Kanhagiri, was the main centre of Buddhists. It has the largest number of caves built at a single hill.

Kanheri caves were built in the first century B.C. and they were in use till 11th century AD. Cave number 41 (earlier it was numbered 23) houses an interesting idol of Avalokiteshavara with four arms and eleven heads. It is the only statue of its kind in India. The worship of this from of Bodhisttava was prevalent in China, Chinese Turkistan, Cambodia and Japan in 7ᵗʰ-8ᵗʰ CE.