Buddhism & Jainism — Set 5
Indian History · बौद्ध और जैन धर्म · Questions 41–50 of 90
Who was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism?
Correct Answer: D. Parshvanatha
• **Parshvanatha** = 23rd Tirthankara; prince of **Varanasi (Banaras)**; symbol is the serpent. • Proposed **4 vows**: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha; Mahavira added 5th = **Brahmacharya**. • Lived ~250 years before Mahavira; his followers (Niganthas) were already active when Mahavira appeared. • 💡 Rishabhanatha = 1st Tirthankara; Mallinatha = 19th (female Tirthankara per Shvetambaras); Mahavira = 24th — Parshvanatha alone is the 23rd.
Which Buddhist text is known as the 'Bible of Mahayana Buddhism'?
Correct Answer: B. Prajnaparamita Sutra
• **Prajnaparamita Sutra** = 'Bible of Mahayana'; deals with Shunyata (Emptiness) and perfection of wisdom. • Includes famous **Heart Sutra** and **Diamond Sutra** (Vajracchedika); propounded Bodhisattva ideal. • Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka philosophy is based on Prajnaparamita Shunyata concept. • 💡 Buddhacharita = biography of Buddha by Ashvaghosha; Lalitavistara = Buddha's life story (Mahayana); Mahavibhasha = Abhidharma commentary from 4th Council — none are 'Bible of Mahayana'.
The earliest Buddhist literature was written in which language?
Correct Answer: A. Pali
• **Pali** = language of earliest Buddhist texts (Tripitaka); spoken by common people in Magadha. • Buddha deliberately chose Pali over Sanskrit to make teachings accessible to all, not just Brahmins. • Later Mahayana texts were composed in **Sanskrit**; Pali remains the Theravada canonical language. • 💡 Tamil = Sangam literature (not Buddhist); Hindi = modern language (doesn't apply); Sanskrit = later Mahayana texts, not earliest Buddhist writings.
Which king is associated with the construction of the Sanchi Stupa?
Correct Answer: C. Ashoka
• **Sanchi Stupa** commissioned by **Ashoka** (~3rd century BCE); located in Madhya Pradesh. • One of India's oldest stone structures; **UNESCO World Heritage Site**; contains relics of Buddha. • Later expanded under Shunga and Satavahana dynasties who added the four ornate **toranas** (gateways). • 💡 Bimbisara = patronized Rajgriha, not Sanchi; Pushyamitra Shunga = added gateways but didn't commission it; Kanishka = built stupas in NW India — Ashoka alone commissioned the original Great Stupa.
What is the primary difference between Digambara and Shvetambara monks regarding clothing?
Correct Answer: C. Digambaras are sky-clad (naked), Shvetambaras wear white
• **Digambara** = 'sky-clad' (naked); reject clothing as attachment; only senior monks go unclad. • **Shvetambara** = 'white-clad'; wear simple white robes; believe moksha is possible with clothing. • Key doctrinal difference: Digambaras deny women can attain moksha in current life; Shvetambaras disagree. • 💡 'Digambaras wear white' = wrong (that's Shvetambara); 'Both naked' = wrong (Shvetambaras wear white); 'Both wear white' = wrong — Digambara = naked, Shvetambara = white is the only correct pair.
Which Buddhist Council settled the dispute between the Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika sects?
Correct Answer: A. Second
• **Second Buddhist Council** (Vaishali) = settled dispute between conservative and liberal monks. • Dispute over **10 Points** including accepting gold/silver, eating after noon, and diluted vinegar. • Result: first major split into **Sthaviravada** (strict) and **Mahasanghika** (liberal/majority). • 💡 Third Council = addressed heterodox factions (not Sthaviravada-Mahasanghika split); First Council = preservation of teachings; Fourth Council = Hinayana-Mahayana split — Second Council alone caused Sthaviravada-Mahasanghika split.
The 'Milinda Panho' is a dialogue between King Menander I and which Buddhist monk?
Correct Answer: B. Nagasena
• **Milinda Panho** = 'Questions of Milinda'; dialogue between Indo-Greek King **Menander I** and monk **Nagasena**. • Discusses profound Buddhist concepts using famous analogy of the chariot (self has no fixed identity). • Non-canonical Pali text (~1st century BCE); highly regarded in Theravada Buddhism. • 💡 Nagarjuna = Madhyamaka philosopher (wrote Mulamadhyamakakarika); Asanga/Vasubandhu = Yogacara school founders — none debated Milinda; Nagasena alone is the correct monk.
In Jain iconography, the 'Bull' is the symbol of which Tirthankara?
Correct Answer: A. Rishabhanatha
• **Rishabhanatha (Adinatha)** = 1st Tirthankara; symbol is the **Bull**. • Each of 24 Tirthankaras has a unique symbol (lanchhan): Mahavira = Lion, Parshvanatha = Serpent, Neminatha = Conch. • Rishabhanatha is also mentioned in Hindu texts (Bhagavata Purana); some Hindus venerate him. • 💡 Mahavira = Lion symbol; Ajitanatha = Elephant (2nd Tirthankara); Parshvanatha = Serpent (23rd) — Bull is exclusively Rishabhanatha's symbol.
Who wrote the 'Buddhacharita', a biography of the Buddha?
Correct Answer: A. Ashvaghosha
• **Ashvaghosha** = author of **Buddhacharita** (Life of the Buddha); Sanskrit epic poem. • Court poet of Kushana King **Kanishka**; also wrote Saundarananda (about Buddha's half-brother Nanda). • Ashvaghosha also played a key role at the **Fourth Buddhist Council** in Kashmir. • 💡 Nagarjuna = Madhyamaka philosopher (not a poet); Bana Bhatta = Harshacharita author (Harsha's biography); Kalidasa = classical Sanskrit poet (Shakuntala) — Ashvaghosha alone wrote Buddhacharita.
Which of the following sites is famous for its rock-cut Jain caves?
Correct Answer: D. Ellora
• **Ellora** = rock-cut Jain caves (Digambara); Caves **30–34** are the Jain caves. • Ellora uniquely has **Buddhist** (1–12), **Hindu** (13–29), and **Jain** (30–34) caves in one complex. • Jain caves at Ellora feature Indra Sabha (Cave 32) — most elaborately carved; excavated 9th–10th century CE. • 💡 Ajanta = only Buddhist caves (paintings); Karle = Buddhist rock-cut Chaitya; Elephanta = Shaivite Hindu caves — Ellora alone has Jain caves among the options.