Q80. Residential establishments occupied by Buddhist monks were known as:
[SSC Stenographer – 2022]
A. Viharas
B. Toranas
C. Harmikas
D. Stambhas
Answer: A. Viharas
Explanation: Viharas were Buddhist monasteries offering residential cells, communal spaces and facilities for study, meditation and teaching, eventually developing into major educational centres.
Q79. Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at:
[SSC Selection Post – 2022]
A. Kushinagar
B. Bodh Gaya
C. Sarnath
D. Lumbini
Answer: A. Kushinagar
Explanation: Buddhist tradition holds that Buddha died at Kushinara, modern Kushinagar, at about eighty years of age and entered final Nirvana or Mahaparinirvana.
Q78. Gautama Buddha was born at:
[SSC Selection Post – 2022]
A. Lumbini
B. Rajgir
C. Sarnath
D. Vaishali
Answer: A. Lumbini
Explanation: Lumbini in present-day Nepal is recognised as Buddha’s birthplace. An Ashokan pillar inscription provides important ancient evidence identifying the sacred location.
Q77. Dhamek Stupa is located in which state?
[Delhi Police Head Constable – 2022]
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Bihar
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Maharashtra
Answer: A. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Dhamek Stupa stands at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh and commemorates the area associated with Buddha’s first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
Q76. Where is the Mahabodhi Temple Complex situated?
[DSSSB Head Clerk – 2022]
A. Bodh Gaya
B. Konark
C. Khajuraho
D. Varanasi
Answer: A. Bodh Gaya
Explanation: Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple marks the sacred location traditionally associated with Siddhartha’s enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree.
Q75. The Four Noble Truths are fundamental teachings of:
[DSSSB JSA – 2022]
A. Buddhism
B. Shaivism
C. Sikhism
D. Zoroastrianism
Answer: A. Buddhism
Explanation: Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths explain suffering, its origin in craving, its cessation and the Noble Eightfold Path leading towards the cessation of suffering.
Q74. The original Sanchi Stupa was constructed under which ruler?
[DSSSB JSA – 2022]
A. Ashoka
B. Harsha
C. Kanishka
D. Samudragupta
Answer: A. Ashoka
Explanation: Ashoka commissioned the original brick stupa in the third century BCE. The structure was considerably enlarged and ornamented by later dynasties.
Q73. What is the raised circular terrace used for circumambulation around a developed Buddhist stupa called?
[SSC MTS – 2022]
A. Medhi
B. Torana
C. Harmika
D. Yasti
Answer: A. Medhi
Explanation: Medhi denotes the raised terrace forming part of the stupa and providing a ritual circumambulatory level from which devotees move clockwise around the monument.
Q72. Where did Gautama Buddha first preach his Dharma after enlightenment?
[SSC MTS – 2022]
A. Sarnath
B. Lumbini
C. Kushinagar
D. Nalanda
Answer: A. Sarnath
Explanation: Buddha’s first discourse at Sarnath is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana, the ‘turning of the wheel of Dharma,’ delivered to his five former companions.
Q71. Which statements about Gautama Buddha are correct?
- He belonged to the Shakya Kshatriya clan.
- He attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar.
[SSC MTS – 2022]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Siddhartha was born among the Shakya Kshatriyas, while Buddhist tradition identifies Kushinagar as the location of his death and Mahaparinirvana.
