Q110. Who composed ‘Buddhacharita’?
[SSC CPO – 2023]
A. Ashvaghosha
B. Banabhatta
C. Kalidasa
D. Vasumitra
Answer: A. Ashvaghosha
Explanation: Ashvaghosha composed Buddhacharita, a celebrated Sanskrit mahakavya narrating the life of Gautama Buddha. He is generally associated with the early centuries CE.
Q109. Which festival marks the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha?
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Vesak
B. Pongal
C. Holika Dahan
D. Baisakhi
Answer: A. Vesak
Explanation: Vesak or Buddha Purnima commemorates Gautama Buddha and, in many Buddhist traditions, simultaneously marks his birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.
Q108. Which structure is particularly associated with Buddhist religious architecture?
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Stupa
B. Shikhara
C. Gopuram
D. Pishtaq
Answer: A. Stupa
Explanation: Stupas are mound-shaped Buddhist monuments commonly associated with relics and commemoration. Their architectural vocabulary includes the anda, harmika, chhatra and circumambulatory path.
Q107. Nalanda, a major Buddhist centre of learning, is situated in:
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Bihar
B. Odisha
C. Rajasthan
D. Gujarat
Answer: A. Bihar
Explanation: Nalanda in Bihar developed into one of ancient India’s greatest centres of Buddhist education and attracted scholars from many regions of Asia.
Q106. Gautama Buddha belonged to which clan?
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Shakya
B. Lichchhavi
C. Maurya
D. Kuru
Answer: A. Shakya
Explanation: Siddhartha Gautama was born into the Shakya clan, whose territory lay around Kapilavastu near the present India-Nepal border region.
Q105. Buddha Purnima is celebrated during which traditional Indian lunar month?
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Vaisakha
B. Magha
C. Kartika
D. Ashadha
Answer: A. Vaisakha
Explanation: Buddha Purnima falls on the full-moon day of Vaisakha, generally in April or May, and is one of the most important Buddhist observances.
Q104. Rules governing members of the Buddhist Sangha are principally contained in:
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Vinaya Pitaka
B. Arthashastra
C. Dhammapada only
D. Mahavamsa
Answer: A. Vinaya Pitaka
Explanation: Vinaya Pitaka records monastic discipline for Buddhist monks and nuns, including rules concerning ordination, communal procedure, conduct and resolution of disciplinary matters.
Q103. Buddhist prayer or congregational halls are known as:
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Chaitya-grihas
B. Garbhagrihas
C. Mandapas
D. Gopurams
Answer: A. Chaitya-grihas
Explanation: Chaitya-grihas were Buddhist worship halls, often rock-cut, featuring a long nave, side aisles, apsidal termination and a stupa serving as the focal object.
Q102. Which is generally regarded as India’s oldest surviving major Buddhist stupa?
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Sanchi
B. Kesaria
C. Nagarjunakonda
D. Ratnagiri
Answer: A. Sanchi
Explanation: The original core of Sanchi’s Great Stupa dates to Ashoka’s reign in the third century BCE, though the monument was extensively enlarged later.
Q101. Dhamek Stupa is located in which state?
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Bihar
D. Maharashtra
Answer: A. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Dhamek Stupa is located at Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the sacred place associated with Buddha’s first sermon.
