Religions & Philosophy — Set 5

Correct Answer: D. All of these

• **All of these** = The 'Doctrine of No-Soul' or 'Anatta' (Pali) is a fundamental tenet present across all major schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. • **Three marks of existence** — Anatta is one of the 'three marks of existence' in Buddhism, alongside Dukkha (suffering) and Anicca (impermanence), forming the core of Buddhist philosophy. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Theravada]: While it strongly emphasizes Anatta, it's not exclusive to this school; [Mahayana]: Also embraces the concept of Anatta, often integrating it with the idea of emptiness (Shunyata); [Vajrayana]: As a tantric extension of Mahayana, it also fully accepts and builds upon the Anatta doctrine.

Correct Answer: A. Lingayatism

• **Lingayatism** = 'Vachana' literature is a unique form of rhythmic prose-poetry, primarily composed in Kannada, that is central to the Lingayat (also known as Veerashaiva) movement. • **12th century** — The Vachana movement flourished during the **12th century** in Karnataka, led by figures like Basavanna, advocating social reform and devotion. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bhakti Movement]: While Vachanas share devotional aspects, they are specific to Lingayatism, whereas Bhakti covered various traditions across India; [Sufism]: A mystical branch of Islam, with its own literary forms like ghazals and qawwalis, distinct from Vachana literature; [Vedanta]: A school of Hindu philosophy that relies on texts like Upanishads and Brahma Sutras, not rhythmic devotional poetry like Vachanas.

Correct Answer: B. Temple worship and construction

• **Temple worship and construction** = The 'Agama' texts in Hinduism are comprehensive scriptures that primarily serve as manuals for temple construction, deity installation, and the performance of daily rituals and festivals. • **Three main branches** — The Agamas are divided into three main branches: Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Shakta, each dedicated to the worship of Shiva, Vishnu, and the Devi respectively. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Medicine]: Medical knowledge in ancient India is primarily found in Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, not Agamas; [Mathematics]: Ancient Indian mathematics is found in texts like the Sulba Sutras or works by Aryabhata and Brahmagupta; [Grammar]: Sanskrit grammar is codified in texts like Panini's Ashtadhyayi, not the Agamas.

Correct Answer: D. Makkhali Gosala

• **Makkhali Gosala** = The 'Ajivika' school of philosophy, a heterodox system that flourished in ancient India and was a rival to early Buddhism and Jainism, was founded by Makkhali Gosala. • **Niyati (Fate)** — The central doctrine of the Ajivikas was 'Niyati', emphasizing an absolute determinism where everything is predetermined, and human effort is futile. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ajita Kesakambali]: Was another heterodox philosopher, a materialist (Lokayatika) and proponent of annihilationism; [Pakudha Kaccayana]: Was another ancient Indian philosopher who taught a theory of seven irreducible elements; [Nigantha Nataputta]: This is another name for Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara and central figure of Jainism, not the founder of Ajivika.

Correct Answer: B. Ladakh

• **Ladakh** = The 'Hemis Monastery', a prominent and wealthiest center of Tibetan Buddhism, is located in Ladakh, which is now a Union Territory of India. • **Drukpa lineage** — The monastery belongs to the Drukpa lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, which is one of the younger schools but with significant influence. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Arunachal Pradesh]: Home to Tawang Monastery, another major Buddhist center, but not Hemis; [Sikkim]: Features monasteries like Rumtek, but Hemis is not located there; [Himachal Pradesh]: Known for monasteries like Key Monastery and Tabo Monastery, but Hemis is located in Ladakh.

Correct Answer: B. To sit down near (the teacher)

• **To sit down near (the teacher)** = The word 'Upanishad' literally means sitting near a teacher to receive confidential knowledge. • **108** — This is the traditional number of Upanishads according to the Muktika canon. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'To write a book': This does not reflect the etymological meaning; 'To travel far': This is not the literal meaning of the term; 'To chant loudly': This is unrelated to the word's origin.

Correct Answer: A. Vishnu Sharma

• **Vishnu Sharma** = He composed the 'Panchatantra', a collection of animal fables designed to teach political science and practical wisdom. • **Three** — The number of young princes Vishnu Sharma taught through the fables of Panchatantra. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Banabhatta': He was a Sanskrit prose writer known for 'Harshacharita'; 'Bhasa': He was an ancient Indian playwright; 'Kalidasa': He was a classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language.

Correct Answer: A. Guru Gobind Singh

• **Guru Gobind Singh** = He established the 'Khalsa' order, a collective body of initiated Sikhs, at Anandpur Sahib. • **1699** — This is the year Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa order. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Guru Nanak': He was the founder of Sikhism; 'Guru Ram Das': He founded the city of Amritsar and constructed the Golden Temple; 'Guru Tegh Bahadur': He was the ninth Guru, martyred for defending religious freedom.

Correct Answer: A. Bihar

• **Bihar** = The Bodhi Tree, under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, is located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. • **Mahabodhi Temple** — This temple complex at Bodh Gaya, associated with the Bodhi Tree, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Uttar Pradesh': While significant Buddhist sites like Sarnath are there, Bodh Gaya is in Bihar; 'Odisha': It has historical Buddhist sites but not the Bodhi Tree; 'Madhya Pradesh': It contains sites like Sanchi, but Bodh Gaya is not located here.

Correct Answer: B. Vishnu and his Krishna avatar

• **Vishnu and his Krishna avatar** = The 'Bhagavata Purana' primarily focuses on the life and teachings of Vishnu, with a special emphasis on his Krishna avatar. • **Ten** — The number of avatars of Vishnu whose stories are narrated in the Bhagavata Purana. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Shiva': He is the focus of Shaiva Puranas; 'Durga': She is primarily celebrated in texts like the Devi Mahatmya; 'Ganesha': While revered, he is not the central deity of the Bhagavata Purana.