Buddhism & Jainism — Set 1
Indian History · बौद्ध और जैन धर्म · Questions 1–10 of 90
Which of the following Pitakas contains the rules of discipline for the Buddhist monastic order?
Correct Answer: A. Vinaya Pitaka
• **Vinaya Pitaka** = basket of discipline; contains rules for Buddhist monastic order (Sangha). • **Patimokkha** — code of 227 rules for monks, listed within Vinaya Pitaka. • Vinaya Pitaka is oldest of 3 Pitakas; recited by Upali at First Buddhist Council. • 💡 Sutta Pitaka = discourses/sermons; Abhidhamma = philosophy/psychology; Jataka = past-life stories — none deal with monastic rules.
Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council held at Pataliputra?
Correct Answer: B. Moggaliputta Tissa
• **Moggaliputta Tissa** = presided over Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra. • **250 BCE**, patronized by **Ashoka** — council expelled heretics, compiled Kathavatthu. • Third Council sent missionaries to 9 regions including Sri Lanka, Greece, Egypt. • 💡 Mahakassapa = First Council; Sabakami = presided Second Council; Vasumitra = Fourth Council (Kashmir).
In Jainism, which Tirthankara is historically associated with the symbol of the 'Snake' or 'Serpent'?
Correct Answer: B. Parshvanatha
• **Parshvanatha** = 23rd Tirthankara, symbol is serpent/snake (Naga). • **~250 years** before Mahavira — lived in Varanasi, proposed the original 4 vows. • His followers called **Niganthas** (free from bonds); Mahavira later added 5th vow: Brahmacharya. • 💡 Rishabhanatha = 1st Tirthankara (Bull symbol); Neminatha = 22nd (Conch); Mahavira = 24th (Lion) — not serpent.
The concept of 'Anekantavada' is a core theory of which philosophy?
Correct Answer: D. Jainism
• **Anekantavada** = Jain doctrine of 'many-sidedness'; truth is relative and multi-perspectival. • Complemented by **Syadvada** (conditional predication) and **Nayavada** (partial viewpoints). • Key Jain philosophical contributions asked/: Anekantavada, Syadvada, Karma theory, Ahimsa. • 💡 Ajivika = fatalism/Niyati; Buddhism = Pratitya-samutpada; Sankhya = Purusha-Prakriti dualism — none teach Anekantavada.
Which Buddhist text primarily deals with the philosophical analysis and psychology of the Dharma?
Correct Answer: A. Abhidhamma Pitaka
• **Abhidhamma Pitaka** = 3rd Pitaka; philosophical and psychological analysis of Dharma. • **7 books** in Abhidhamma — classifies reality into ultimate constituents (no narrative format). • Recited by Sariputta at First Council; Theravada canon has Pali Abhidhamma, Mahayana has Sanskrit Abhidharma. • 💡 Vinaya = monastic rules; Sutta = discourses/sermons; Dipavamsa = Sri Lankan chronicle — not philosophical analysis.
Who was the first female disciple to be ordained into the Buddhist Sangha?
Correct Answer: B. Mahaprajapati Gautami
• **Mahaprajapati Gautami** = first female ordained as bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun). • Buddha's **stepmother and maternal aunt** — she raised him after his mother Mahamaya died. • Ananda pleaded on her behalf; Buddha initially refused, then allowed women's ordination with 8 extra rules. • 💡 Yashodhara = Buddha's wife (not first nun); Sujata = gave kheer to fasting Buddha; Amrapali = courtesan devotee — none were first ordained.
The term 'Nirgranthas' was used to refer to the followers of which sect?
Correct Answer: B. Jains
• **Nirgranthas** = 'free from bonds/knots'; ancient name for Jain followers. • Used in early Buddhist texts to refer to Parshvanatha's and Mahavira's followers. • Mahavira himself was called **Nigantha Nataputta** in Pali Buddhist texts. • 💡 Buddhists = Shramanas/Bhikkhus; Charvakas = materialists/Lokayatikas; Ajivikas = fatalists under Gosala — none called Nirgranthas.
Which Mauryan ruler is credited with spreading Buddhism to Sri Lanka?
Correct Answer: A. Ashoka
• **Ashoka** = sent Buddhism to Sri Lanka after Third Buddhist Council (~250 BCE). • Sent son **Mahendra** and daughter **Sanghamitra** — she carried a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree. • Sri Lanka's Anuradhapura has the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, grown from that very sapling. • 💡 Bindusara = Ashoka's father, not a Buddhist missionary; Dasharatha = Ashoka's grandson; Chandragupta Maurya = converted to Jainism, not Buddhism.
Which of the following sites is NOT associated with the life of Gautama Buddha?
Correct Answer: C. Pavapuri
• **Pavapuri** = site of Mahavira's Nirvana (Jain, not Buddhist); located in Bihar near Rajgir. • Buddha's 4 key sites: **Lumbini** (birth) → **Bodh Gaya** (enlightenment) → **Sarnath** (1st sermon) → **Kushinagar** (death). • Pavapuri has a Jal Mandir (water temple) built at Mahavira's cremation spot. • 💡 Bodh Gaya, Lumbini, Sarnath = all genuinely Buddhist sites; Pavapuri alone is Jain — it's the odd one out.
The 'Dilwara Temples' at Mount Abu are famous for which religious architecture?
Correct Answer: D. Jain Temples
• **Dilwara Temples** = famous Jain temples at Mount Abu, Rajasthan. • Built between **11th–13th centuries** by Chalukya/Solanki rulers; renowned for intricate white marble carvings. • 5 temples: Vimal Vasahi (1031 CE, oldest) and Luna Vasahi (1230 CE) are most celebrated. • 💡 Buddhist Stupas = Sanchi, Bharhut; Shaivite shrines = Ellora Hindu caves; Vaishnavite temples = Khajuraho Vishnu temples — Dilwara is purely Jain.