Buddhist Sites — Set 5

Correct Answer: B. Nepal

• **Nepal** = Lumbini Garden, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, is located in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. • **Four main pilgrimage sites** — It is one of the **four main pilgrimage sites** in Buddhism, visited by Emperor Ashoka. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [India]: While bordering Nepal, Lumbini itself is not in India; [Bhutan]: A Buddhist country, but not the birthplace of Buddha; [Sri Lanka]: A prominent Buddhist nation, but not the location of Lumbini.

Correct Answer: C. Ashoka

• **Ashoka** = Emperor Ashoka is primarily responsible for the widespread initial dissemination of Buddhism through monuments and pillars. • **Kalinga War** — Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism after the **Kalinga War**, dedicating his reign to its propagation. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Chandragupta Maurya]: Ashoka's grandfather, he founded the Mauryan Empire but was not known for spreading Buddhism; [Kanishka]: A Kushan emperor who patronized Buddhism centuries after Ashoka, but not for the initial pan-Indian spread; [Harshavardhana]: An emperor from the 7th century CE who also patronized Buddhism, but long after its initial spread by Ashoka.

Correct Answer: B. Odisha

• **Odisha** = The 'Diamond Triangle' of Buddhist heritage sites, comprising Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, and Udayagiri, is located in Odisha. • **5th and 12th centuries** — These sites were major centers of Buddhist learning and art between the **5th and 12th centuries**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bihar]: Has many significant Buddhist sites (e.g., Bodh Gaya, Nalanda), but not the 'Diamond Triangle'; [Madhya Pradesh]: Known for Sanchi and other sites, but not the 'Diamond Triangle'; [Andhra Pradesh]: Contains Buddhist sites like Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda, but not this specific triangle.

Correct Answer: C. Prayer hall or shrine

• **Prayer hall or shrine** = A Chaitya in a Buddhist monastery complex primarily serves as a prayer hall or shrine, typically housing a stupa. • **Horseshoe-shaped windows** — In rock-cut architecture, they are distinguished by their **horseshoe-shaped windows** and vaulted roofs. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Residential quarters]: These are Viharas, separate from Chaityas; [Dining hall]: While monasteries have dining halls, that is not the primary purpose of a Chaitya; [Storage room]: Chaityas are sacred spaces for worship, not for storage.

Correct Answer: B. Varanasi (Sarnath)

• **Varanasi (Sarnath)** = The famous 'Lion Capital' of Ashoka, now India's State Emblem, was originally placed on a pillar in Sarnath, near Varanasi. • **Four lions** — It features **four lions** standing back-to-back on an abacus with a dharma chakra, symbolizing power and peace. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Patna]: The capital of Bihar, not the location of the Lion Capital; [Gaya]: Known for Bodh Gaya, but not the original site of the Lion Capital; [Sanchi]: Famous for its great stupa, but the Lion Capital pillar was erected at Sarnath.

Correct Answer: B. Monastic residence

• **Monastic residence** = Viharas are Buddhist monasteries that serve as residential complexes for monks. • They were originally built as temporary shelters for wandering monks during the **rainy season**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Sacred tree': While trees like the Bodhi tree are sacred in Buddhism, Vihara does not refer to them; 'Cremation ground': This is a site for funerary rites, not a monastic residence; 'Type of script': This refers to a writing system, unrelated to a Vihara's function.

Correct Answer: B. Second Council

• **Second Council** = The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali during the reign of King Kalashoka. • It took place approximately **100 years** after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'First Council': Held at Rajgriha under Ajatashatru; 'Third Council': Held at Pataliputra under Ashoka; 'Fourth Council': Held in Kashmir under Kanishka.

Correct Answer: A. Kanishka

• **Kanishka** = The Fourth Buddhist Council, which led to the Hinayana and Mahayana division, was held under the patronage of King Kanishka. • This council was held around the **1st century CE** at Kundalvana in Kashmir or Jalandhar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Ashoka': Patron of the Third Buddhist Council; 'Harshavardhana': A later ruler who supported Buddhism but was not associated with this council; 'Ajatashatru': Patron of the First Buddhist Council.

Correct Answer: B. Western Ghats

• **Western Ghats** = The cave architecture of Karle, Bhaja, and Kanheri is predominantly found in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. • Most of India's famous rock-cut Buddhist caves are located in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri) of **Maharashtra**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Vindhyas': This range is located further north and east, not typically associated with these specific cave sites; 'Eastern Ghats': Located along India's eastern coast, these do not house Karle, Bhaja, or Kanheri; 'Aravallis': This ancient mountain range is in western India, primarily Rajasthan, and lacks these Buddhist cave sites.

Correct Answer: B. Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)

• **Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)** = Xuanzang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India in the 7th century and documented his extensive studies at Nalanda University. • During this period, Xuanzang's detailed journals became a primary source for understanding India in the **7th century**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Fa-Hien': Another Chinese traveler, but he visited India in the 5th century CE, earlier than Xuanzang; 'I-Tsing': A Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India in the late 7th century, after Xuanzang, and also studied at Nalanda; 'Marco Polo': An Italian merchant traveler who visited Asia much later, in the 13th century, and was not associated with Buddhist studies in India.