Buddhism & Doctrines of Buddhism MCQs with Explanations
About the Topic: Buddhism & Doctrines of Buddhism delves deeply into the theological and ethical framework taught by the Buddha to end human suffering.
At which place did Mahatma Buddha give his first ‘Dhamma chakkha pavathana’?
Correct Answer:
(B) Sarnath
After his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha went to Sar nath, where he delivered his first sermon which is known in Pali as the ‘Dhammachakkhapavathana’ or “Dharma Chakra Pravartana.” Sarnath is one of the four holy places associated with the life of Buddha. Other three important places related to Buddhism are Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha) Bodhgaya (the place of enlightenment of Buddha) and Kushinagar (place of death popularly known as Mahaparinirvana in Buddhism).
Ques: 2
Consider the following statements regarding Buddhism:
Events from previous lives of Buddha are depicted in Jataka stories.
Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, written in the Prakrit language were compiled in Sri Lanka.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(A) 1 Only
Jataka Stories:
The Jataka tales are a collection of Buddhist stories that recount the past lives of Gautama Buddha, before he was born as Siddhartha. These stories often depict the Buddha in human and animal forms, demonstrating the virtues he developed through various reincarnations. Hence statement 1 is correct
Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa:
These are two important chronicles of Sri Lankan Buddhist history, written in the Pali language. The Dipavamsa is a shorter, earlier chronicle, while the Mahavamsa is a more extensive and detailed work. They provide valuable insights into the spread of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the history of the island's kings and religious institutions. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
Ques: 3
Gautam Buddha gave the maximum sermons at which place?
Correct Answer:
(B) Shravasti
Most of the disciples of Gautama Buddha were from Kosala region. He delivered his maximum sermons at Shravasti, the capital of Kosala.
Ques: 4
Which philosophy accepts 'Triratna'?
Correct Answer:
(A) Buddhism
Triratna (Three jewels) is associated with Buddha philosophy. Here the three jewels are the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.
Ques: 5
What does 'Triratna' mean in Buddhism?
Correct Answer:
(B) Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
Buddha, Dhamma and Sangh are three jewels (Triratna) of Buddhism. After the death of Buddha, his teachings were collected in three parts known as Tripitakas. The Tripitakas are Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Ques: 6
Buddha had visited Kaushambi during the reign of
Correct Answer:
(B) Udayana
Mahatama Buddha visited Kaushambi during the reign of “King Udayana”. It was his 9th resting place. Under the influence of Pindola Bharadwaj, Udayan turned to Buddhism and donated Ghoshit Ram Vihar to Bhikshu Sangh.
Ques: 7
Which of the following statements is/are correct about Lord Buddha?
He was born in Kapilvastu.
He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
He discarded the Vedic religion.
He preached noble truths
Correct Answer:
(D)
I 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC in Lumbini (now in Nepal) in Shakya Kshatriya clan of Kapila-Vastu. He believed in the theory of Karma. Buddha discarded Vedas and Vedic rituals. Instead, he believed in noble deeds and acts in place of Vedic rituals. He has given four noble truths often known as Arya Satya
Life means suffering
The origin of suffering is attachment
The cessation of suffering is attainable
There is a path to the cessation of suffering.
Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.
Ques: 8
Mahabodhi Temple has been built at Bodh Gaya where-
Correct Answer:
(B) Gautama Buddha received enlightenment
For full six years, Gautama sought a due solution to the sufferings, ultimately, he got enlightenment at the age of 35 years at Bodhgaya under Pipal tree on a Vaisakh Purnima night. Hence, he was called “Buddha.” Mahabodhi temple was built at this site.
Ques: 9
The ‘Bodhi Vriksh’ in Bodh Gaya belongs to which generation of its family
Correct Answer:
(D)
None
At present, the ‘Bodhi Vriksha’ at the Mahabodhi temple is not the real one, where Mahatma Buddha got the enlighten ment. According to the Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveller, king Shashank destroyed the original tree in the seventh century.
Ques: 10
Which of the following Buddhist sacred place is situ ated on the Bank of River Niranjana.
Correct Answer:
(A) Bodhgaya
The Buddhist sacred place, Bodhgaya where Buddha got enlightenment, is situated on the bank of river Niranjana.
Ques: 11
The teachings of Buddha are related to –
Correct Answer:
(D)
Purity and holiness of conduct
The teachings of Mahatma Buddha is mainly based on the purity and holiness of conduct.
Ques: 12
Who among the following wanted to become the leader of the Sangha even during the lifetime of Buddha –
Correct Answer:
(A) Devadatta
Devadatta, the cousin of Mahatma Buddha, in his early days, he was a follower of Buddha and a good monk as well. But later he tried to become the leader of Sangha in place of Buddha but did not succeed. From the beginning, he was thinking to become the leader of Sangha.
Ques: 13
Whom of the following did Gautam Buddha nominate for the leadership of Buddhist Sangha after his death?
Correct Answer:
(D)
None of the above
Gautam Buddha did not appoint any successor and asked his followers to work towards liberation. The teachings of Buddha existed only in oral traditions. The Sangha held a number of Buddhist councils to reach consensus on matters of Buddhist doctrines and practices.
Ques: 14
The concept of Eightfold path forms the theme of:
Correct Answer:
(D)
Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutta
The concept of ‘eight-fold’ path forms the theme of Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutta. Buddha has given the eight-fold path to get rid of miseries of life and attain Nirvana.
Ques: 15
Which of the following is/are true about Gautam Buddha.
He believes in “Karma”
He believes in rebirth
Attaining Nirvana
Belief in the power of God
Correct Answer:
(A) Code:
Mahatma Buddha believed in the doctrine of “Karma.” He used to believe in the concept of rebirth and attainment of Nirvana but did not believe in the existence of God and his power. Budha believes in rebirth. Previous life of buddha is recorded in Jataka.
Ques: 16
The entry of women as a “Bhikshuni” into the Buddhist Sangha was allowed by Gautam Buddha at –
Correct Answer:
(B) Vaishali
On the request of his disciple “Ananda”, Gautam Buddha allowed the entry of women as Bhikshuni into Buddhist Sangha at Vaishali. The first women who was admitted into the Buddhist Sangha was Mahaprajapati Gautami.
Ques: 17
Who is called ‘Crypto-Buddhist’?
Correct Answer:
(A) Shankara
Adi Shankaracharya was one of the greatest philosophers of Hinduism. Adi Shankaracharya is sometimes called a crypto- Buddhist by scholars because he challenged Buddhism and took away many of its concepts and merged in the mainstream Hinduism. Hence, Buddhism lost its unique appeal and after external invasions on Buddhist monasteries, Buddhism had to leave India and take refuge in Tibet, China and other southeast Asian countries.
Ques: 18
What is “Tripitaka”?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Collection of the preachings of Buddha
Tripitaka is the most important holy book of Buddhism. It has been divided into three parts, namely,
Sutta Pitaka – consists of sermons and teachings of Buddha,
Vinaya Pitaka – the collection of the rules governing the Sangha and monks and Abhidhamma Pitaka – which deals with the philosophy of Buddhism.
Ques: 19
Which of the following Buddhist literature contains the Buddha’s sermons on matters of ethics and doctrine?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Sutta Pitaka
Sutta Pitaka which is also called Sutra Pitaka in Sanskrit is an extensive body of text constituting the basic doctrinal section of the Buddhist canon. Sutta Pitaka is the book of discourses, dealing with ethical principles of Buddha’s teachings. One of the parts of Sutta Pitaka known as Digha Nikaya, is a collection of 34 long Suttas including doctrinal expositions, legends and moral rules.
Ques: 20
“Yamaka” belongs to the Buddhist “Pitaka”.
Correct Answer:
(C) Abhidhamma
In order to preach the doctrine of Buddhism (Mahatma Buddha), the Buddhist compiled a new type of literature (Tripitaka) that can be divided into three categories –
Sutta Pitaka,
Vinaya Pitaka and
Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Sutta Pitaka contains the sayings and teachings of the Bud dha. Vinaya Pitaka deals with the rules to be observed by members of the Sangha and Abhiddhamma Pitaka presents the philosophical exposition of the Dhamma. The Abhidhamma Pitaka consists of seven books – Yamaka, Patthana, Kathavatthu, Puggalapannatti, Dhatukatha, Vibhanga and Dhammasangani.
Ques: 21
In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the:
Correct Answer:
(B) Confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season.
During four months of the rainy season, the disciples of Buddha live in Buddha Mahavihar. During this season, they stop preaching their religion. After the rainy season, they again start preaching with a welcoming ceremony called Pavarana. In this ceremony, the monks, confess their offences and discuss future work plan.
Ques: 22
Ashokaram monastery was situated at –
Correct Answer:
(B) Pataliputra
According to the famous Buddhist text mahavansh, the Mau ryan ruler Ashoka built Ashokaram monastry in Pataliputra under the supervision of a monk named Indragupta.
Ques: 23
Where is the highest in the world ‘Vishwa Shanti Stupa’ located in Bihar –
Correct Answer:
(C) Rajgir
The Vishwa Shanti Stupa or the World Peace Pagoda (height 400 metres) situated on the hills of Rajgir in Bihar is the highest Vishwa Shanti Stupa in the world.
Ques: 24
The Giant Buddha statue of 80 feet at Bodhgaya was constructed by –
Correct Answer:
(A) Japanese
The Giant Buddha Statue in Bodh Gaya, Bihar is 80 feet high. It is in meditation posture or dhyana mudra where Buddha is seated on a lotus in the open air. It took seven years to complete and is made of sandstone blocks and red granite. This statue was built with the help of Daijokyo sect of Japan.
Ques: 25
Here the word ‘Stupa’ has been used for the first time?
Correct Answer:
(A) Rigveda
The word stupa has been used for the first time in Rig Veda. In Rig Veda texts, stupa means “tree stem.” Rigveda refers to a stupa raised by the king Varuna above the forest in a place having no foundation. Anything that is raised on the ground like heap/pile might have been known as Stupa.
Ques: 26
The Stupa site which is not connected with any incident of Lord Buddha’s life, is:
Correct Answer:
(B) Sanchi
The Stupa at Bodhgaya is related to the enlightenment of Buddha. Sarnath is related to Dharma Chakra Pravartana and Kushinagar or Kusinara is related to the death of Bud- dha while Sanchi Stupa is not related to any incident of Buddha’s life.
Ques: 27
It was also ancient name of world-famous Tourist destination of Sanchi.
Correct Answer:
(A) Kaknam
Sanchi is one of the prominent Spot for Buddhist tourism in India. It is located at Sanchi in Raisen district of the Madhya Pradesh. Sanchi, popularly known as Kaknam, Kakanaya, Kakanadabota and Bota-Sriparvata in ancient times, has a singular distinction of having remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture right from early Mauryan period. UNESCO world heritage site ‘Mahastupa’ (great stupa) stands here.
Ques: 28
What is the fundamental difference between Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism?
Correct Answer:
(C) Worship of God and Goddess
The fundamental difference between Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism is regarding treating Buddha as God. Hinayana believes in Buddha as a great man, whereas Mahayana started worshipping Buddha through idols treating him as God.
Ques: 29
Gautama Buddha was elevated to the position of God during the period of –
Correct Answer:
(B) Kanishka
The fourth council held during the reign of Kanishka divided Buddhism into two sects, namely Hinayana and Mahayana. In Mahayana, Gautam Buddha was treated as God and they started worshipping Buddha through idols. Hence, Gautama Buddha was elevated to the position of God during the period of Kanishka.
Ques: 30
The first human statue worshipped in India were those of–
Correct Answer:
(C) Buddha
In India, Gautam Buddha was worshipped first through idols by the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
Ques: 31
The standing statue of Gautam Buddha was built in which period?
Correct Answer:
(B) Kushana Period
In India, the Gandhara art flourished during the Kushana rule. Particularly Kanishka, the greatest of the Kushanas was a great patron of art and architecture. It was during his reign that Gandhara school of art flourished. Both sitting and standing posture of Buddha’s statues were carved out in the Mathura school. The Kushana art of Gandhara is mainly known for the wealth of sculptures recovered from the numerous Buddhist stupas and monasteries.