Q60. Which statement is correct concerning an important Buddhist cave site?
[UPSC CSE – 2021]
A. Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora River.
B. Sanchi lies in the Chambal gorge.
C. Amaravati stands beside the Narmada.
D. Pandavleni lies beside the Brahmaputra.
Answer: A. Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora River.
Explanation: Ajanta’s caves were excavated into a horseshoe-shaped rocky gorge above the Waghora River in Maharashtra, creating their characteristic dramatic natural setting.
Q59. The Tripitaka of Buddhism is principally preserved in which canonical language?
[West Bengal Police SI – 2021]
A. Pali
B. Hindi
C. Bengali
D. Persian
Answer: A. Pali
Explanation: The Theravada Buddhist canon is commonly called the Pali Canon because its three baskets—Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma—are preserved in the Pali language.
Q58. Which statement concerning Buddhism is incorrect?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Important Buddhist scriptures survive in Pali.
B. Charaka was Gautama Buddha’s personal physician.
C. Lumbini is in Nepal.
D. Upagupta is linked in tradition with Ashoka.
Answer: B. Charaka was Gautama Buddha’s personal physician.
Explanation: Charaka belongs to a different historical and medical tradition and cannot be regarded as Buddha’s personal physician. Lumbini’s location and Pali Buddhist literature are well established.
Q57. Why were Buddhist stupas originally constructed?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. To enshrine sacred relics
B. As military watchtowers
C. As royal treasuries
D. As irrigation reservoirs
Answer: A. To enshrine sacred relics
Explanation: Early stupas evolved from burial mounds and commonly enshrined corporeal relics or objects associated with Buddha and eminent Buddhist teachers.
Q56. Sanchi Stupa is located near which present-day state capital?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Bhopal
B. Patna
C. Jaipur
D. Lucknow
Answer: A. Bhopal
Explanation: Sanchi lies roughly northeast of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district and preserves one of India’s most important complexes of ancient Buddhist monuments.
Q55. Who originally commissioned the Great Stupa at Sanchi?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Ashoka
B. Akbar
C. Harsha
D. Chandragupta II
Answer: A. Ashoka
Explanation: Mauryan emperor Ashoka commissioned Sanchi’s original brick stupa in the third century BCE, while later rulers substantially enlarged and decorated the monument.
Q54. The Bodhisattva ideal is most strongly associated with:
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Mahayana Buddhism
B. Jain Digambara tradition
C. Ajivikas
D. Sikhism
Answer: A. Mahayana Buddhism
Explanation: Mahayana gives central importance to the Bodhisattva, who strives for complete Buddhahood while compassionately assisting other beings towards liberation.
Q53. The Sutta Pitaka primarily contains:
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Discourses and dialogues concerning Buddhist teaching
B. Architectural manuals
C. Royal genealogies only
D. Medical prescriptions
Answer: A. Discourses and dialogues concerning Buddhist teaching
Explanation: Sutta Pitaka preserves thousands of discourses attributed to Buddha and his disciples, including dialogues with rulers, householders, monks and philosophical opponents.
Q52. At which place did Gautama Buddha attain enlightenment?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Bodh Gaya
B. Lumbini
C. Sarnath
D. Kushinagar
Answer: A. Bodh Gaya
Explanation: Siddhartha attained Bodhi beneath a pipal tree at Uruvela, subsequently called Bodh Gaya, after which he became known as Buddha, the Enlightened One.
Q51. Lumbini is chiefly associated with which event in Buddha’s life?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Birth
B. Enlightenment
C. First sermon
D. Mahaparinirvana
Answer: A. Birth
Explanation: Lumbini in present Nepal is traditionally identified as Siddhartha Gautama’s birthplace and is marked by the Maya Devi Temple and Ashokan pillar.
