Q120. ‘Mahaparinirvana’ in the context of Gautama Buddha refers to his:
[WBPSC Food SI – 2024]
A. Birth
B. Great renunciation
C. First sermon
D. Final passing away
Answer: D. Final passing away
Explanation: Mahaparinirvana denotes Buddha’s final passing away after attaining liberation from samsara. Buddhist tradition associates this event with Kushinagar in present Uttar Pradesh.
Q119. Who was chief royal patron of the Fourth Buddhist Council held in Kashmir according to northern Buddhist tradition?
[WBCS Mains – 2024]
A. Ashoka
B. Kanishka
C. Ajatashatru
D. Kalashoka
Answer: B. Kanishka
Explanation: Kushana ruler Kanishka traditionally sponsored the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana in Kashmir, with Vasumitra commonly identified as its presiding scholar.
Q118. Which form of Buddhism became particularly prominent with tantric practices during early medieval India?
[RPSC Assistant Professor – 2024]
A. Vajrayana
B. Theravada
C. Sthaviravada only
D. Ajivika
Answer: A. Vajrayana
Explanation: Vajrayana incorporated mantras, mandalas, ritual symbolism, esoteric initiation and tantric practices. It became especially influential under Pala-era Buddhism and subsequently in Tibet.
Q117. ‘Milinda Panha’ is preserved principally in which language?
[UKPSC – 2024]
A. Pali
B. Persian
C. Tamil
D. Arabic
Answer: A. Pali
Explanation: Milinda Panha survives as an important Pali Buddhist philosophical work recording a dialogue between monk Nagasena and Indo-Greek ruler Menander, known as Milinda.
Q116. Consider these statements: Four Noble Truths are central to Buddhism; Anatta denies a permanent self; Mahayana emphasises Bodhisattvas; Milindapanha records Menander–Nagasena dialogue. How many are correct?
[IB ACIO – 2024]
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. All four
Answer: D. All four
Explanation: Each statement identifies a recognised feature of Buddhist doctrine or literature: Noble Truths, non-self, the Mahayana Bodhisattva ideal and the Milinda–Nagasena philosophical dialogue.
Q115. Regarding stupas, which statements are correct? [UPSC CSE – 2023]
- The concept of stupa is Buddhist in origin only.
- Stupas generally housed relics.
- They were objects of veneration.
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. All three
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Mound burials predated Buddhism, so the stupa form was not exclusively Buddhist in origin. Buddhism transformed stupas into important reliquary and devotional monuments.
Q114. Where was the First Buddhist Council traditionally held?
[WBCS – 2023]
A. Vaishali
B. Pataliputra
C. Rajagriha
D. Kashmir
Answer: C. Rajagriha
Explanation: The First Council was traditionally convened at Rajagriha after Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana under Ajatashatru’s patronage, with Mahakassapa presiding over the assembly.
Q113. Which matching of Buddhist Councils and their presidents is correct?
[CGPSC – 2023]
A. First–Mahakasyapa; Second–Sabbakami; Third–Moggaliputta Tissa; Fourth–Vasumitra
B. First–Vasumitra; Second–Ananda; Third–Ashoka; Fourth–Upali
C. First–Nagasena; Second–Upali; Third–Ananda; Fourth–Ashoka
D. First–Kanishka; Second–Ajatashatru; Third–Kalashoka; Fourth–Bimbisara
Answer: A. First–Mahakasyapa; Second–Sabbakami; Third–Moggaliputta Tissa; Fourth–Vasumitra
Explanation: Competitive-exam chronology conventionally associates these four councils respectively with Mahakasyapa, Sabbakami, Moggaliputta Tissa and Vasumitra.
Q112. Consider Sanchi:
- Three gateways were still standing when it was rediscovered in 1818.
- Its reliefs depict elephants, horses, monkeys and cattle.
Which is correct?
[UPSC NDA – 2023]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: C. Both
Explanation: Early nineteenth-century descriptions record three standing gateways, while Sanchi’s sculptures richly portray animals that often function symbolically within narrative and decorative compositions.
Q111. Who wrote ‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’?
[SSC CGL – 2023]
A. B. R. Ambedkar
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Rahul Sankrityayan
D. S. Radhakrishnan
Answer: A. B. R. Ambedkar
Explanation: Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s posthumously published work The Buddha and His Dhamma presents his interpretation of Buddhist philosophy and became fundamental to Navayana Buddhism.
