Buddhist Sites — Set 2

Correct Answer: A. Andhra Pradesh

• **Andhra Pradesh** = The ancient Amaravati Stupa, renowned for its exquisite limestone carvings, was historically situated in this modern-day state. • **Satavahana dynasty** — Amaravati flourished as a major Buddhist center under the patronage of this powerful ancient Indian dynasty. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Telangana]: Amaravati is distinct from sites in Telangana; [Tamil Nadu]: Not the location of the Amaravati Stupa; [Karnataka]: Known for other historical sites but not the Amaravati Stupa.

Correct Answer: D. Ellora

• **Ellora** = This cave complex in Maharashtra contains the famous Buddhist 'Vishwakarma Cave' (Cave 10), which is a chaitya hall. • **Cave 10** — Also known as the Vishwakarma Cave, this specific cave within the Ellora complex is a significant Buddhist chaitya (prayer hall) featuring a large Buddha statue. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ajanta]: Purely Buddhist but does not contain the Vishwakarma Cave; [Kanheri]: Purely Buddhist but does not contain the Vishwakarma Cave; [Elephanta]: Primarily Hindu cave temples, not Buddhist and no Vishwakarma Cave.

Correct Answer: A. Mumbai

• **Mumbai** = The Global Vipassana Pagoda, known for having the world's largest stone dome built without pillars, is located in Gorai, within this city. • **Largest stone dome** — The Global Vipassana Pagoda features this architectural marvel, constructed without any supporting pillars. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Nagpur]: Not the location of the Global Vipassana Pagoda; [Pune]: Not the location of the Global Vipassana Pagoda; [Nashik]: Not the location of the Global Vipassana Pagoda.

Correct Answer: D. Dharmapala

• **Dharmapala** = This Pala King founded Vikramshila University, a significant center for Buddhist learning, after Nalanda. • **Late 8th century** — Vikramshila University was established by King Dharmapala during this period in Bhagalpur, Bihar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gopala]: Founder of the Pala dynasty, but not Vikramshila; [Mahipala]: A later Pala king known for reviving the empire, but not the founder of Vikramshila; [Devapala]: Another prominent Pala king, but Dharmapala founded Vikramshila.

Correct Answer: A. Sanjay Gandhi National Park

• **Sanjay Gandhi National Park** = The Kanheri Caves, featuring over 100 rock-cut cells and used by Buddhist monks for centuries, are situated within this national park in Mumbai. • **100 rock-cut cells** — The Kanheri Caves complex consists of more than this number of caves carved into the basalt rock. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Kaziranga]: Located in Assam, famous for one-horned rhinoceroses; [Gir National Park]: Located in Gujarat, famous for Asiatic lions; [Jim Corbett]: Located in Uttarakhand, known for tigers and being India's oldest national park.

Correct Answer: A. Vaishali

• **Vaishali** = It is historically significant as the place where Buddha announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana. • **Second Buddhist Council** — This important Buddhist council was held in Vaishali around 100 years after Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Rajgir]: An important city for Buddha's early teachings and where the First Buddhist Council was held; [Nalanda]: Famous for its ancient Mahavihara (university) for Buddhist learning; [Pawapuri]: A sacred site for Jainism, where Mahavira attained nirvana.

Correct Answer: C. Japan

• **Japan** = The Vishwa Shanti Stupa at Rajgir was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese monk. • **Four** — The white structure of the stupa features four gold-plated statues of Buddha, representing the four directions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Thailand]: Known for its numerous Buddhist temples but not directly involved in building this specific stupa; [Sri Lanka]: Has a long history of Theravada Buddhism but did not collaborate on this project; [Myanmar]: Another country with a strong Buddhist tradition, but not the collaborator for this stupa.

Correct Answer: D. Dharamshala

• **Dharamshala** = The Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama, is located in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. • **1959** — The monastery was re-established in India after the Tibetan uprising in 1959, following the Dalai Lama's exile. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Leh]: A major center for Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh but not home to Namgyal Monastery; [Manali]: A popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh, but not associated with this monastery; [Shimla]: The capital of Himachal Pradesh, but the monastery is in Dharamshala.

Correct Answer: C. Nagarjunakonda

• **Nagarjunakonda** = This Buddhist site in Andhra Pradesh is located on an island in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir. • **Ikshvaku dynasty** — Nagarjunakonda was once a flourishing capital of the Ikshvaku dynasty, a significant power in ancient South India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bavikonda]: An ancient Buddhist site near Visakhapatnam, not on an island in the reservoir; [Thotlakonda]: Another important Buddhist complex near Visakhapatnam, also not on an island; [Salihundam]: An ancient Buddhist monastic complex in Srikakulam district, not on an island in the reservoir.

Correct Answer: A. Dehradun

• **Dehradun** = The Mindrolling Monastery, known for its Great Stupa, is located in Clement Town, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. • **Nyingma school** — This monastery belongs to the Nyingma school, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Rishikesh]: Known for its Hindu ashrams and yoga centers, not a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery; [Chandigarh]: A planned city known for its modern architecture, not a traditional monastery location; [Mussourie]: A hill station near Dehradun, but the monastery is in Dehradun itself.