Buddhism

Total Questions: 138

131. Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2010]

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.
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

Correct Answer: (a) 1 Only

Solution:Buddhism started declining in India in the early medieval times because Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism. The Kings of the Gupta dynasty were not opposed to Buddhism even though they supported Brahmanical faith.

132. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

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

Correct Answer: (b) 2 Only

Solution:Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Buddhism, not Jainism. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
Sarvastivada literally means "Doctrine that all exist". Sarvastivadin described a complex system in which past present and future phenomena are all held to have some form of their own existence. Like all Buddhist, the Sarvastivadins consider everything empirical to be impermanent but they maintain that the dharma factors are eternally existing realities. Impermanence, also called Anitya, is one of essential doctrines and part of three marks of existence in Buddhism. This doctrine was presented by Buddha himself. The doctrine asserts that all of conditioned existence, without exception, is "transient, evanescent, inconstant". This impermanence is a source of Dukkha (suffering).

133. Consider the following statements, what is the difference between chaityas and viharas. [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Viharas is a place of worship while chaitya is 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 place.

Correct Answer: (b) Chaitya is a place of worship while Vihar is a dwelling place.

Solution:A Chaitya-Griha Buddhist cave is a meeting or assembly chamber which is often used for prayer, while viharas are the shelter accommodations of the monks during the raimy season.

134. In Indian art, the construction of 'Stupa', 'Chaitya' and 'Vihara' is related to which of the following ? [69ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Ajivika sect
(b) Vaishnava
(c) Buddhism
(d) Shaiva sect

Correct Answer: (c) Buddhism

Solution:'Stupa', 'Chaitya' and 'Vihara' all are related to Buddhism. Stupa is a dirt burial mound faced with stone. In Buddhism, the earliest stupas contained portions of the Buddha's ashes, and as a result, it began to be associated with the body of the Buddha.
Chaitya is a place of worship while Vihara is the dwelling place of monks.

135. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
(b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
(d) There is no material difference between the two

Correct Answer: (b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks

136. Consider the following statements : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

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

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2 are correct

Solution:When question was asked Guntuphalli was in west Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh (Now it is in NTR district). It has rock cut Chaityas and Viharas. Chaityas and Viharas of Eastern Deccan are usually rock cut.

137. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Andhra
(b) Gandhara
(c) Kalinga
(d) Magadha

Correct Answer: (a) Andhra

Solution:Dhanyakataka (present day Dharnikota) is an ancient site located in present day Amaravati mandal in Andhra Pradesh. It was an important town in Deccan and the capital of later Satvahanas. It was a major center of Buddhist learning & culture. Excavation at Dharnikota has revealed viharas here and in nearby areas.

138. Which from of Buddhism was prominent during the Sultanate period ? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

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

Correct Answer: (c) Vajrayana

Solution:In the medieval period (Sultanate Period), Vajrayana sect of Buddhism was most prominent. Vajrayana mostly flourished in the 8ᵗʰ century. The principles of Vajrayana is found in 'Arya Manjushrimoolkalp' and 'Guhyasamaja'.

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