Q30. Relics of which chief disciple of Buddha were found in a stupa at Sanchi?
[MP Jail Prahari – 2020]
A. Moggallana
B. Ananda
C. Anuruddha
D. Mahakasyapa
Answer: A. Moggallana
Explanation: Stupa 3 at Sanchi is associated with relics of Sariputta and Maha Moggallana, traditionally regarded as two of Buddha’s foremost male disciples.
Q29. The Lion Capital adopted as India’s National Emblem originally comes from:
[Allahabad High Court ARO – 2020]
A. Sarnath
B. Mathura
C. Agra
D. Vrindavan
Answer: A. Sarnath
Explanation: India’s National Emblem is adapted from Ashoka’s Lion Capital at Sarnath, erected at the sacred Buddhist site associated with Buddha’s first sermon.
Q28. Where did Gautama Buddha give his first sermon?
[Rajasthan Police – 2020]
A. Sarnath
B. Vaishali
C. Magadha
D. Kushinagar
Answer: A. Sarnath
Explanation: Sarnath’s Deer Park was the scene of Buddha’s first discourse, where he explained the Middle Way, Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.
Q27. Which famous Mauryan pillar site connected with Buddhism is located at Sarnath?
[Delhi Police – 2020]
A. Ashokan Lion Capital pillar
B. Heliodorus pillar
C. Iron Pillar
D. Allahabad Prashasti pillar only
Answer: A. Ashokan Lion Capital pillar
Explanation: Ashoka erected a polished sandstone pillar at Sarnath, whose celebrated four-lion capital became the model for India’s National Emblem after independence.
Q26. Which of the following is an important Buddhist philosophical text attributed to Vasubandhu?
[RRB NTPC – 2020]
A. Abhidharmakosha
B. Arthashastra
C. Mudrarakshasa
D. Ashtadhyayi
Answer: A. Abhidharmakosha
Explanation: Vasubandhu’s Abhidharmakosha is a major systematic treatise on Buddhist Abhidharma philosophy and became influential across Indian, Tibetan and East Asian Buddhist traditions.
Q25. Where did Gautama Buddha attain enlightenment?
[WBCS – 2019]
A. Bodh Gaya
B. Lumbini
C. Sarnath
D. Kushinagar
Answer: A. Bodh Gaya
Explanation: At Bodh Gaya, Siddhartha meditated beneath a pipal tree until attaining Bodhi, thereafter becoming Gautama Buddha, the Enlightened One.
Q24. The teachings or sermons of Buddha are chiefly collected in:
[RPSC 2nd Grade – 2019]
A. Sutta Pitaka
B. Vinaya Pitaka
C. Abhidhamma Pitaka
D. Vaipulya Sutra
Answer: A. Sutta Pitaka
Explanation: Sutta Pitaka contains Buddha’s principal discourses and dialogues, while Vinaya concerns monastic discipline and Abhidhamma provides systematic philosophical analysis.
Q23. The Four Noble Truths are associated with:
[SSC MTS – 2019]
A. Buddhism
B. Sikhism
C. Zoroastrianism
D. Shinto
Answer: A. Buddhism
Explanation: The Four Noble Truths diagnose suffering, identify craving as its cause, affirm its cessation and prescribe the Noble Eightfold Path to liberation.
Q22. Tripitaka is the sacred canonical collection of:
[SSC MTS – 2019]
A. Buddhism
B. Jainism
C. Sikhism
D. Judaism
Answer: A. Buddhism
Explanation: Tripitaka comprises the ‘Three Baskets’ of Buddhist literature: Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka, especially central to Theravada tradition.
Q21. What was Gautama Buddha’s personal name before enlightenment?
[RPF SI – 2019]
A. Siddhartha
B. Channa
C. Nagasena
D. Upali
Answer: A. Siddhartha
Explanation: Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama of the Shakya clan. ‘Buddha,’ meaning awakened or enlightened one, became his designation following enlightenment.
