Buddhism & Jainism — Set 7
Indian History · बौद्ध और जैन धर्म · Questions 61–70 of 90
The 'Ashta-Mahasthana' refers to the eight holy places associated with:
Correct Answer: A. Buddha
• **Ashta-Mahasthana** = 8 great holy places of Buddhism; all linked to events in Buddha's life. • The 8 sites: **Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar** (primary 4) + Shravasti, Sankissa, Rajgriha, Vaishali. • Ashoka's pillar at Lumbini, Bodhgaya's Mahabodhi Temple, Sarnath's Dhamek Stupa — all UNESCO sites. • 💡 Vishnu's sacred sites = 4 Dhams (Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, Rameshwaram); Mahavira's sites = Kundagrama, Jrimbhika, Pavapuri; Shiva = 12 Jyotirlingas — Ashta-Mahasthana is exclusively Buddhist.
In which city did the First Jain Council take place?
Correct Answer: B. Pataliputra
• **First Jain Council** held at **Pataliputra** (~300 BCE); convened by **Sthulabhadra**. • Compiled **12 Angas** (canonical texts) to preserve oral teachings; Digambaras rejected this compilation. • Trigger: Bhadrabahu and monks migrated south during famine, leading to textual disputes. • 💡 Ujjain = not a Jain Council site; Mathura = Jain art center; Taxila = Buddhist learning center — Pataliputra alone hosted the First Jain Council.
The 'Padmapani' Bodhisattva is often depicted holding a:
Correct Answer: A. Lotus
• **Padmapani** = 'Lotus Holder'; a form of **Avalokiteshvara** (Bodhisattva of Compassion). • Most famous painting: **Cave 1, Ajanta** — considered a masterpiece of Indian classical painting. • Padmapani holds a blue lotus; depicts serene compassion; Ajanta paintings use mineral-based pigments. • 💡 Thunderbolt = Vajrapani (another Bodhisattva); Sword = Manjushri (wisdom Bodhisattva); Book = Prajnaparamita or Manjushri — Padmapani specifically holds the Lotus.
Which text is a collection of the Buddha's sayings in verse form?
Correct Answer: A. Dhammapada
• **Dhammapada** = 'Path of the Dhamma'; collection of **423 verses** of Buddha's sayings in verse form. • Part of **Khuddaka Nikaya** (within Sutta Pitaka); one of the most translated Buddhist texts globally. • Begins with: 'Mind is the forerunner of all actions' — frequently quoted in. • 💡 Vibhanga = part of Abhidhamma (not verse sayings); Vinaya = monastic rules; Abhidhamma = philosophical analysis — Dhammapada alone is the verse-based collection of Buddha's sayings.
Who was the chief disciple of Mahavira who survived him and became the head of the Sangha?
Correct Answer: C. Sudharman
• **Sudharman** = only Ganadhara (chief disciple) who survived Mahavira; became head of Jain Sangha. • Mahavira had **11 Ganadharas** (chief disciples); 10 attained liberation before him; only Sudharman survived. • Sudharman taught Jambu, who became the last person to attain Kevalagyan in current cycle. • 💡 Bhadrabahu = later Jain acharya (not a Ganadhara of Mahavira); Jambu = Sudharman's disciple (not Mahavira's direct chief); Indrabhuti Gautama = chief Ganadhara but died before Mahavira — Sudharman alone survived Mahavira.
Which pillar edict of Ashoka mentions the visit to Lumbini and tax reduction?
Correct Answer: C. Rummindei Pillar Inscription
• **Rummindei Pillar Inscription** = Ashoka visited Lumbini; reduced land tax to **1/8th** (from 1/6th). • Pillar at modern-day Rupandehi district, Nepal; confirms **Lumbini as Buddha's birthplace**. • Inscription reads: 'Hida Budhe jate Sakyamuniti' — 'Here the Buddha, Shakyamuni, was born'. • 💡 Sarnath Pillar = lion capital (national emblem); Delhi-Topra Pillar = moved by Firuz Shah Tughlaq; Allahabad Pillar = Samudragupta's Prayag Prashasti — only Rummindei mentions Lumbini visit and tax reduction.
The term 'Arhat' in Buddhism refers to:
Correct Answer: C. A perfected person who has attained Nirvana
• **Arhat** = 'worthy one'; a perfected person who has attained Nirvana and is free from rebirth. • The ultimate goal in **Theravada** Buddhism; contrasts with Mahayana ideal of Bodhisattva (helps others first). • An Arhat has destroyed all defilements (Asavas): greed, hatred, delusion, and conceit. • 💡 Temple guardian = Dvarapala; Beginner monk = Samanera (novice); Lay follower = Upasaka/Upasika — Arhat specifically means a fully liberated/perfected being who attained Nirvana.
The dispute over 'meat eating' and 'accepting gold/silver' was a cause for which Buddhist Council?
Correct Answer: D. Second
• **Second Buddhist Council** at Vaishali addressed 'Ten Points' including **accepting gold/silver** and meat-eating. • Vaishali monks accused of violating Vinaya; conservative Sthaviravadins declared their practices invalid. • Led to first major split: **Sthaviravada vs Mahasanghika** (not Hinayana-Mahayana — that was 4th Council). • 💡 Third Council = Ashoka's purification of monks; First Council = preservation of Suttas/Vinaya; Fourth Council = Hinayana-Mahayana formal split — Second Council alone involved the 'Ten Points' dispute.
Which Jain Tirthankara is believed to be a relative of Lord Krishna in mythology?
Correct Answer: D. Neminatha
• **Neminatha** = 22nd Tirthankara; described in Jain texts as **cousin of Lord Krishna** (Yadava clan). • Symbol is the **conch shell (Shankha)**; said to have renounced after seeing animals being slaughtered at his wedding. • Connects Jain tradition to Mahabharata era; Girnar (Gujarat) is associated with Neminatha. • 💡 Rishabhanatha = 1st Tirthankara (no Krishna connection); Ajitanatha = 2nd Tirthankara; Parshvanatha = 23rd — only Neminatha (22nd) is mythologically linked to Lord Krishna.
The 'Chaitya' in Buddhist architecture serves as:
Correct Answer: C. A prayer hall
• **Chaitya** = Buddhist prayer hall/shrine; contains a **stupa at one end** for circumambulation. • Distinguished from **Vihara** (monk's residence/monastery); both are key Buddhist architectural types. • Famous Chaityas: Karle Caves (Maharashtra), Ajanta Cave 19 — apsidal layout with rock-cut stupa. • 💡 Storage house = no Buddhist equivalent; Monk residence = Vihara (not Chaitya); Library = not a standard Buddhist structure — Chaitya exclusively refers to the prayer hall.