Q90. The Harmika on a Buddhist stupa is generally what shape?
[Delhi Police – 2023]
A. Square
B. Circular
C. Triangular
D. Octagonal
Answer: A. Square
Explanation: The harmika is the square railing-like element situated above the hemispherical stupa dome. A central yasti rises from it supporting the chhatras.
Q89. Who was the author of Buddhacharita?
[Delhi Police – 2023]
A. Ashvaghosha
B. Dandin
C. Jinasena
D. Shudraka
Answer: A. Ashvaghosha
Explanation: Ashvaghosha’s Buddhacharita is a major Sanskrit poetic biography of Buddha and one of the most important early literary treatments of his life.
Q88. Pillared verandas, halls and monks’ cells are notable components of which Buddhist cave complex?
[Delhi Police – 2023]
A. Ajanta
B. Elephanta
C. Badami
D. Udayagiri in Odisha
Answer: A. Ajanta
Explanation: Many Ajanta caves are viharas designed around monastic residence, incorporating pillared halls, verandas, cells and, in later examples, Buddha shrines.
Q87. At which place is the first admission of women into the Buddhist Sangha traditionally associated?
[UPSSSC PET – 2023]
A. Vaishali
B. Sarnath
C. Rajgir
D. Bodh Gaya
Answer: A. Vaishali
Explanation: Buddhist tradition connects Mahapajapati Gotami’s admission as the first bhikkhuni with Vaishali, marking the establishment of an organised order of Buddhist nuns.
Q86. Ashoka’s establishment of Sanchi as an important sacred Buddhist centre belongs to approximately which century BCE?
[IB Security Assistant – 2023]
A. Third century BCE
B. Fifth century BCE
C. First century CE
D. Fourth century CE
Answer: A. Third century BCE
Explanation: Ashoka ruled in the third century BCE and commissioned the original Sanchi stupa as part of the Mauryan expansion of Buddhist sacred architecture.
Q85. The Abhidhamma Pitaka primarily deals with:
[RRB NTPC – 2022]
A. Philosophical and psychological analysis
B. Monastic rules only
C. Jataka narratives
D. Political administration
Answer: A. Philosophical and psychological analysis
Explanation: Abhidhamma systematically analyses Buddhist doctrine, mental states and categories of experience, complementing the sermons of Sutta Pitaka and discipline of Vinaya Pitaka.
Q84. Which of the following is a Buddhist temple?
[RRB Group D – 2022]
A. Mahabodhi Temple
B. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
C. Gorakhnath Temple
D. Nidhivan Temple
Answer: A. Mahabodhi Temple
Explanation: Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya commemorates Buddha’s enlightenment and is one of the world’s most important surviving Buddhist pilgrimage monuments.
Q83. Gautama Buddha belonged to which gana?
[RRB Group D – 2022]
A. Shakya
B. Lichchhavi
C. Malla
D. Moriya
Answer: A. Shakya
Explanation: Siddhartha Gautama belonged to the Shakya republican clan centred around Kapilavastu. He is therefore frequently called Shakyamuni, meaning ‘sage of the Shakyas.’
Q82. Venuvan Vihara Buddhist Monastery is situated in:
[RRB Group D – 2022]
A. Tripura
B. Meghalaya
C. Nagaland
D. Manipur
Answer: A. Tripura
Explanation: Venuvan Vihara is a Buddhist monastery in Tripura, reflecting the historical and continuing Buddhist cultural presence in India’s northeastern region.
Q81. Buddhacharita, the celebrated biography of Gautama Buddha, was written by:
[SSC Stenographer – 2022]
A. Ashvaghosha
B. Vasumitra
C. Banabhatta
D. Patanjali
Answer: A. Ashvaghosha
Explanation: Ashvaghosha’s Sanskrit epic Buddhacharita narrates Buddha’s life from princely birth towards enlightenment and became influential in Buddhist literary traditions.
