UPSC Ancient India – Chapter 8: The Buddha and His Teachings (23 MCQs)

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UPSC Ancient India – Chapter 8: The Buddha and His Teachings (23 MCQs) – 23 questions, subject: History. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Buddha gave his first sermon at:

Correct Answer: D [Sarnath]

Explanation:

The Buddha preached his first sermon, the dharmachakra-pravartana, to five former companions in the Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi.

2.  

The Buddha's mahaparinirvana took place at:

Correct Answer: A [Kushinagar]

Explanation:

The Buddha died, aged 80, at Kushinagar in the territory of the Mallas; this is his mahaparinirvana.

3.  

In early Buddhist art, the Great Renunciation is shown by a:

Correct Answer: C [horse]

Explanation:

Early art at Sanchi and Bharhut showed the Great Renunciation by a horse, recalling his departure from Kapilavastu on horseback.

4.  

The first woman to be ordained as a Buddhist nun was:

Correct Answer: C [Mahaprajapati Gautami]

Explanation:

Mahaprajapati Gautami, the Buddha's foster mother, was the first woman ordained, after Ananda interceded on her behalf.

5.  

Anatta in Buddhist thought means:

Correct Answer: D [no permanent self]

Explanation:

Anatta denies a permanent, unchanging self or soul (atman); it is one of the three marks of existence.

6.  

The Jetavana monastery at Shravasti was gifted by:

Correct Answer: B [Anathapindika]

Explanation:

The rich merchant Anathapindika bought the Jetavana grove from Prince Jeta at Shravasti and gifted it to the Buddha.

7.  

Which of the following was a teacher of the Buddha before his enlightenment?

Correct Answer: C [Alara Kalama]

Explanation:

Alara Kalama, with Udraka Ramaputra, taught meditation to Siddhartha during his search before the enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

8.  

The second Noble Truth (samudaya) states that:

Correct Answer: D [suffering has a cause – craving]

Explanation:

Samudaya, the second Noble Truth, holds that suffering arises from a cause, namely craving (tanha).

9.  

Pratityasamutpada means:

Correct Answer: A [dependent origination]

Explanation:

Pratityasamutpada is dependent origination: everything, including suffering, arises from causes and conditions and nothing exists independently.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The Buddha taught in the spoken language of the people.
2. The Buddhist sangha admitted women.
3. The Buddha accepted the authority of the Vedas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Buddha taught in the people's spoken Magadhi and admitted women to the sangha, but he rejected Vedic authority, so only 1 and 2.

11.  

Assertion (A): Early Buddhist sculpture at Sanchi shows the Buddha through symbols.

Reason (R): The Buddha was not represented in human form in the early phase of Buddhist art.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Both are true and linked: because early art avoided showing the Buddha in human form, Sanchi depicted him through symbols.

12.  

"Tathagata" is an epithet of:

Correct Answer: B [the Buddha]

Explanation:

Tathagata, meaning thus-gone, is an epithet the Buddha used for himself; Shakyamuni is another of his epithets.

13.  

The Buddha attained enlightenment on the bank of the:

Correct Answer: D [Niranjana]

Explanation:

Siddhartha attained enlightenment under a pipal tree at Bodh Gaya, beside the Niranjana river in present-day Bihar.

14.  

The triratna of Buddhism consists of:

Correct Answer: D [the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha]

Explanation:

Buddhists take refuge in the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dhamma (his teaching) and the Sangha (the order).

15.  

The Buddha was born into the:

Correct Answer: B [Shakya clan]

Explanation:

Siddhartha was born a Shakya, son of Shuddhodana of the Shakya gana-sangha centred at Kapilavastu; hence the epithet Shakyamuni.

16.  

The Buddhist canon of the Theravada was written in:

Correct Answer: B [Pali]

Explanation:

The Theravada canon, the Tipitaka, was preserved and written down in Pali, declared a classical language in October 2024.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Mahabodhi Temple inscribed as a World Heritage Site
2. Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha
3. Pali declared a classical language
4. Lumbini inscribed as a World Heritage Site

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

Order: Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha (c. 483 BCE) → Lumbini inscribed as a World Heritage Site (1997) → Mahabodhi Temple inscribed as a World Heritage Site (2002) → Pali declared a classical language (2024).

18.  

The Middle Way taught by the Buddha avoids:

Correct Answer: A [both indulgence and extreme austerity]

Explanation:

The Middle Way (madhyama pratipada) avoids both a life of sensual pleasure and extreme self-torture, which the Buddha had himself tried.

19.  

Amrapali, who gifted a mango grove to the Buddha, belonged to:

Correct Answer: D [Vaishali]

Explanation:

Amrapali was the famous courtesan of Vaishali, capital of the Vajji confederacy, where she gifted her mango grove.

20.  

Pali, the language of the Theravada canon, was declared a classical language by the Government of India in:

Correct Answer: A [2024]

Explanation:

Pali was declared a classical language by the Government of India in October 2024, in the same decision that gave the status to several other languages.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?

1. Nayaputta
2. Shakyamuni
3. Tathagata

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Shakyamuni and Tathagata are epithets of the Buddha.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [3 and 4 only]

Explanation:

the Buddha lived and taught mainly in Kosala and Magadha. The same question was asked again in Prelims 2015, with the options in a different order.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?

Correct Answer: A [The extinction of the flame of desire]

Explanation:

nirvana is the extinguishing of the fires of greed, hatred and delusion.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U01 · Ancient India (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-ancient-india

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