Q170. What type of work is the ‘Milindapanho’?
[RRB NTPC – 2025]
A. Military manual
B. Buddhist philosophical dialogue
C. Law code
D. Medical treatise
Answer: B. Buddhist philosophical dialogue
Explanation: Milindapanho, or Questions of Milinda, records philosophical discussions between Indo-Greek ruler Menander, called Milinda, and Buddhist monk Nagasena on doctrine, karma and identity.
Q169. The Abhidhamma Pitaka particularly analyses:
[RRB NTPC – 2025]
A. Military conquests
B. Ethics and mental phenomena
C. Temple taxation
D. Agricultural practices
Answer: B. Ethics and mental phenomena
Explanation: Abhidhamma presents a systematic philosophical and psychological analysis of experience, classifying consciousness, mental factors, ethical states and phenomena within Buddhist scholastic thought.
Q168. What is prominently represented on the carved entrances of Sanchi Stupa?
[RRB NTPC – 2025]
A. Mughal battles
B. Jataka narratives
C. Vedic sacrifices only
D. Greek mythology exclusively
Answer: B. Jataka narratives
Explanation: The Sanchi gateways employ narrative reliefs illustrating Jataka stories and events linked with Buddha, frequently representing Buddha aniconically through symbols rather than human form.
Q167. Which texts relate stories of Gautama Buddha’s previous births?
[RRB NTPC – 2025]
A. Jatakas
B. Arthashastra
C. Manusmriti
D. Panchatantra
Answer: A. Jatakas
Explanation: Jataka literature recounts earlier incarnations of the being destined to become Gautama Buddha and communicates ethical lessons through stories of compassion, wisdom and self-sacrifice.
Q166. Which Buddhist scripture explicitly supports the doctrine of Anatta or ‘no permanent self’?
[RRB NTPC – 2025]
A. Dhammapada
B. Kalpa Sutra
C. Manusmriti
D. Arthashastra
Answer: A. Dhammapada
Explanation: The Dhammapada, part of the Khuddaka Nikaya, contains concise Buddhist teachings concerning impermanence, suffering and non-self, three fundamental characteristics of conditioned existence.
Q165. The earliest stupas at Sanchi and Sarnath are chiefly associated with which imperial period?
[RRB NTPC – 2025]
A. Mauryan
B. Gupta
C. Mughal
D. Chola
Answer: A. Mauryan
Explanation: Emperor Ashoka’s Mauryan patronage was crucial to the initial establishment of major stupas and pillars at Buddhist sacred centres including Sanchi and Sarnath.
Q164. After which war is Ashoka traditionally associated with a decisive turn towards Buddhism and non-violence?
[RRB NTPC – 2025]
A. Panipat
B. Kalinga
C. Hydaspes
D. Tarain
Answer: B. Kalinga
Explanation: The immense suffering caused by Ashoka’s conquest of Kalinga profoundly affected him. His inscriptions subsequently emphasised Dhamma, compassion, restraint and conquest through righteousness.
Q163. Poson Poya, commemorating the arrival of Buddhism through Mahinda, is principally celebrated in:
[RRB Group D – 2025]
A. Japan
B. Sri Lanka
C. Mongolia
D. Bhutan
Answer: B. Sri Lanka
Explanation: Poson commemorates the traditional introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda, son of Ashoka, during the reign of Sri Lankan ruler Devanampiya Tissa.
Q162. Why did post-Mauryan Buddhist stupas develop significant regional variations?
[SSC Selection Post – 2025]
A. Every region followed identical construction methods.
B. Local materials and building traditions influenced their forms.
C. Stupas were prohibited outside Magadha.
D. They were all wooden.
Answer: B. Local materials and building traditions influenced their forms.
Explanation: As Buddhism spread geographically, local construction traditions and materials produced diverse stupa forms, bases, decorative schemes and superstructures while preserving their central religious purpose.
Q161. The Great Stupa at Sanchi belongs principally to which architectural tradition?
[SSC Selection Post – 2025]
A. Buddhist
B. Islamic
C. Gothic
D. Dravidian Hindu temple
Answer: A. Buddhist
Explanation: Sanchi is among India’s most important complexes of Buddhist monuments. Its stupas, railings, toranas, monasteries and temples demonstrate the development of Buddhist architecture over centuries.
