Buddhism

11. Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in the Republic of the - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

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

Correct Answer: (a) Malla

Solution:Mahatma Buddha delivered his first sermon at the site of Deer Park at Sarnath. Later he moved towards Kosala, Kap-ilavastu, Vaishali and Rajgriha to propagate the teachings of Buddhism. The king of Kosala Prasenjit with his entire family adopted discipleship of Buddha. During his campaign, he reached 'Pava', the capital of Mallas. At Pava, Buddha stayed in the mango grove of Chund, the blacksmith. There Chund provided him a large amount of sukaramaddava, which resulted in sickness with the flow of blood and violent deadly pains, but Buddha reached Kushinara (Capital of Republic of Malla). Here he abandoned his body in 483 BC at the age of 80 years. It is also known as Mahaparinirvan.

12. Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana at which place? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997, Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

(a) Kusinara
(b) Shravasti
(c) Lumbini
(d) Sarnath

Correct Answer: (a) Kusinara

Solution:Mahatma Buddha delivered his first sermon at the site of Deer Park at Sarnath. Later he moved towards Kosala, Kap-ilavastu, Vaishali and Rajgriha to propagate the teachings of Buddhism. The king of Kosala Prasenjit with his entire family adopted discipleship of Buddha. During his campaign, he reached 'Pava', the capital of Mallas. At Pava, Buddha stayed in the mango grove of Chund, the blacksmith. There Chund provided him a large amount of sukaramaddava, which resulted in sickness with the flow of blood and violent deadly pains, but Buddha reached Kushinara (Capital of Republic of Malla). Here he abandoned his body in 483 BC at the age of 80 years. It is also known as Mahaparinirvan.

13. Mahaparinirvana Temple is located at [U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2015]

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

Correct Answer: (a) Kushinagar

Solution:Mahaparinirvana temple is situated in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It is very famous statue of Buddha. The image was unearthed during an excavation in 1876-77 A.D.. Carved from chunar sandstone, the statue represents the dying Buddha reclining on his right side.

14. Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2014, 2015]

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

Correct Answer: (c) 3 and 4 only

Solution:From the given kingdoms, Gautam Buddha was associated with Kosala and Magadha kingdom. He visited these two kingdoms to propagate his teachings.

15. Who was the last person to get enlightenment from Gautam Buddha ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

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

Correct Answer: (d) Subhadda

Solution:Gautam Buddha, in his last years, went to his disciple named Chund at Pava, where he suffered food poisoning after eating sukaramaddava offered by Chund. Then he went to Kushinagar (Capital city and the Mallas Kingdom) where he gave his last Sermon to "subhaddha" and finally attained the "Mahaparinirvana" at Kushinagar.

16. Who amongst the following was the last person converted by the Buddha? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]

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

Correct Answer: (d) Subhadda

Solution:Gautam Buddha, in his last years, went to his disciple named Chund at Pava, where he suffered food poisoning after eating sukaramaddava offered by Chund. Then he went to Kushinagar (Capital city and the Mallas Kingdom) where he gave his last Sermon to "subhaddha" and finally attained the "Mahaparinirvana" at Kushinagar.

17. Where did Buddha reside during the last rainy season of his life? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

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

Correct Answer: (b) Vaishali

Solution:Buddha resided in Vaishali during the last rainy season of his life. Actually, Buddha reached Beluva which was in the suburb of Vaishali to spend his time during rainy reason at the age of eighty years with his two disciples, one of them popularly known as 'Ananda.'

18. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2013]

(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

Correct Answer: (a) The extinction of the flame of desire

Solution:Buddhism considers desire as the cause of all the pain. The State of Nirvana in Buddhism is considered as a state which is free from desire, pain, pleasure, etc. The literal meaning of the word Nirvana is 'blown out' and it can be seen as the state of extinction of the flame of desire.

19. Who had attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya? [67ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (b) Gautama

Solution:Gautama Buddha has attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Bodh gaya is a religious site in the Gaya district of Bihar, India. It is the location of the Mahabodhi Temple complex, which is considered the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world.

20. Who was Alara Kalama? [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

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

Correct Answer: (d) A teacher of Buddha

Solution:Alara kalama was one of the best and well known religious teacher. Ascetic Buddha went to study under him. He stayed and learnt many things, including meditation. He worked hard and eventually equalled his teacher in learning. Finally, Alara Kalama could not each Buddha anymore, and he said, "You are the same as I am now. There is no difference between us. Stay here and take my place and teach my students with me." Alara Kalama was an Acharya of Samkhya philosophy and was renowned for his spiritual strength.