Q70. Dhamek Stupa is located in which district/region?
[SSC MTS – 2022]
A. Varanasi
B. Gaya
C. Raisen
D. Satna
Answer: A. Varanasi
Explanation: Dhamek Stupa is situated at Sarnath, a short distance from Varanasi, and commemorates the sacred landscape of Buddha’s first sermon.
Q69. The Mahabodhi Temple is located in which state?
[SSC MTS – 2022]
A. Bihar
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Odisha
D. Assam
Answer: A. Bihar
Explanation: The Mahabodhi Temple stands at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, marking the most important Buddhist pilgrimage location associated with the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Q68. Nalanda, where Xuanzang and numerous Buddhist scholars studied, lies in:
[SSC CGL – 2022]
A. Bihar
B. Odisha
C. Bengal
D. Sikkim
Answer: A. Bihar
Explanation: Nalanda flourished in ancient Magadha, present-day Bihar, as a vast residential centre of Buddhist and other learning with an international scholarly community.
Q67. From which region did Chinese Buddhist traveller Fa-Hien begin his sea journey back towards China?
[SSC CGL – 2022]
A. Bengal
B. Punjab
C. Kashmir
D. Gujarat
Answer: A. Bengal
Explanation: After travelling extensively through Buddhist India, Fa-Hien reached the eastern coast and sailed from Bengal on his return journey through maritime Southeast Asia.
Q66. King ‘Milinda’ of Milinda Panha is identified with which Indo-Greek ruler?
[SSC JE – 2022]
A. Menander
B. Demetrius
C. Seleucus
D. Alexander
Answer: A. Menander
Explanation: Menander I is identified with Milinda of Buddhist tradition. Milindapanha preserves his celebrated philosophical discussions with the Buddhist monk Nagasena.
Q65. The site of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana is located at:
[Punjab & Haryana High Court Clerk – 2022]
A. Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
B. Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
C. Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
D. Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Answer: A. Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Kushinagar is one of four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites because it commemorates Gautama Buddha’s death and entry into final Nirvana.
Q64. Which statement is correct?
I. Buddhism was founded on the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
II. Digambara and Svetambara are Buddhist sects.
[Tamil Nadu Police – 2022]
A. I only
B. II only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: A. I only
Explanation: Buddhism arose from Gautama Buddha’s teachings. Digambara and Svetambara are the two principal sectarian traditions of Jainism, not Buddhism.
Q63. Which symbols were employed to represent Buddha in early aniconic Buddhist art?
[UPSC NDA – 2022]
A. Empty throne, wheel, tree and stupa
B. Crown and sword only
C. Trident and lingam
D. Fire altar and bull
Answer: A. Empty throne, wheel, tree and stupa
Explanation: Early Buddhist art often avoided depicting Buddha directly, representing him through symbols such as the Bodhi tree, Dharma wheel, footprints, empty throne and stupa.
Q62. The First Buddhist Council was held at:
[UPSSSC PET – 2022]
A. Rajgir
B. Vaishali
C. Pataliputra
D. Kashmir
Answer: A. Rajgir
Explanation: Rajgir or ancient Rajagriha traditionally hosted the First Buddhist Council after Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, under the patronage of King Ajatashatru.
Q61. The Mahaparinirvana Temple is situated in which state?
[Punjab & Haryana High Court Clerk – 2022]
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Uttarakhand
C. Sikkim
D. Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: A. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: The Mahaparinirvana Temple stands at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and contains the renowned reclining Buddha sculpture representing his final passing.
