Buddhism & Jainism — Set 8
Indian History · बौद्ध और जैन धर्म · Questions 71–80 of 90
Where was Gautama Buddha born?
Correct Answer: C. Lumbini
• **Lumbini** (Nepal) = birthplace of Gautama Buddha (~**563 BCE**); born in the Lumbini gardens. • Mother Mahamaya was travelling to her parents' home when birth occurred under a Sal tree. • Ashoka's **Rummindei Pillar** at Lumbini and UNESCO recognition confirm its historical importance. • 💡 Kushinagar = death; Sarnath = first sermon; Bodh Gaya = enlightenment — Lumbini alone is the birthplace.
Where did Gautama Buddha attain Enlightenment?
Correct Answer: C. Bodh Gaya
• **Bodh Gaya** (Bihar) = site of Buddha's enlightenment; sat under **Pipal/Bodhi Tree** on Niranjana bank. • Enlightenment occurred on **Vaisakha Purnima** (full moon night); Siddhartha became 'Buddha' (Awakened One). • **Mahabodhi Temple** at Bodh Gaya = UNESCO World Heritage Site; houses the Vajrasana (diamond throne). • 💡 Rajgriha = Bimbisara's capital (not enlightenment site); Lumbini = birth; Sarnath = first sermon — Bodh Gaya alone is the enlightenment site.
Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?
Correct Answer: A. Sarnath
• **Sarnath** (near Varanasi) = site of Buddha's first sermon; preached to **5 former companions**. • First sermon = **Dhammachakkappavattana** ('Turning the Wheel of Law'); contained Four Noble Truths. • **Dhamek Stupa** at Sarnath marks the exact spot; Ashoka also erected a pillar with lion capital here. • 💡 Kushinagar = death; Bodh Gaya = enlightenment; Lumbini = birth — Sarnath alone is the first sermon site.
Where did Gautama Buddha attain Mahaparinirvana (Death)?
Correct Answer: C. Kushinagar
• **Kushinagar** (UP) = site of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (final passing/death); age **80** (~483 BCE). • Lay dying on a couch between two Sal trees; last meal: Sukara-maddava (possibly mushrooms), given by Cunda. • **Parinirvana Temple** at Kushinagar has a reclining Buddha image; UNESCO site. • 💡 Sarnath = first sermon; Vaishali = Buddha's last visit; Lumbini = birth — Kushinagar alone is the death/Mahaparinirvana site.
Who was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism?
Correct Answer: B. Mahavira
• **Mahavira** = 24th and last Tirthankara; born in **Kundagrama** near Vaishali, Bihar (~599 BCE). • Most important propagator of Jainism; reorganized the fourfold Jain Sangha (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen). • Contemporary of Gautama Buddha; attained Nirvana at **Pavapuri** (~527 BCE) at age 72. • 💡 Parshvanatha = 23rd Tirthankara; Ajitanatha = 2nd Tirthankara; Rishabhanatha = 1st Tirthankara — Mahavira alone is the 24th and last.
Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?
Correct Answer: A. Rishabhanatha
• **Rishabhanatha (Adinatha)** = 1st Tirthankara; credited with establishing civilized human society. • Symbol: **Bull**; taught agriculture, crafts, writing, and the 72 arts to humanity in Jain tradition. • Also mentioned in Hindu Bhagavata Purana (as son of Nabhi); some Hindus identify him with Shiva. • 💡 Parshvanatha = 23rd (serpent symbol); Neminatha = 22nd (conch symbol); Mahavira = 24th (lion symbol) — Rishabhanatha with Bull symbol is the 1st Tirthankara.
What language did Gautama Buddha use for his teachings?
Correct Answer: C. Pali
• **Pali** = language Buddha used for teachings; spoken by common people in Magadha region. • Buddha rejected **Sanskrit** (elite/Brahmin language) to democratize spiritual knowledge for all. • Pali is still the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism; Tripitaka preserved in Pali. • 💡 Tamil = Sangam literature (South India); Sanskrit = Brahmanical/Vedic; Hindi = modern language — Pali alone was the language Buddha chose for preaching to the masses.
The 'Tripitaka' are the sacred books of which religion?
Correct Answer: C. Buddhism
• **Tripitaka** = 'Three Baskets'; primary scriptures of Buddhism written in Pali. • Three Pitakas: **Vinaya** (monastic rules) + **Sutta** (sermons) + **Abhidhamma** (philosophy). • Originally preserved orally; first written down in **1st century BCE** in Sri Lanka (Pali Canon). • 💡 Jainism = Agamas (12 Angas); Hinduism = Vedas/Upanishads; Sikhism = Guru Granth Sahib — Tripitaka is exclusively the Buddhist scripture.
What does the 'Lotus' symbolise in Buddha's life?
Correct Answer: B. Birth
• **Lotus** = symbol of Buddha's Birth; represents purity emerging from mud (pure soul in material world). • Legend: at birth, baby Siddhartha took **7 steps** and lotus flowers bloomed beneath each step. • Buddhist symbols: Lotus = Birth; Horse = Renunciation; Bodhi Tree = Enlightenment; Wheel = Sermon; Stupa = Death. • 💡 Death = Stupa/Parinirvana symbol; Renunciation = Horse (Kanthaka); Enlightenment = Bodhi Tree — Lotus specifically represents Birth.
Which King embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War?
Correct Answer: A. Ashoka
• **Ashoka** embraced Buddhism after **Kalinga War** (~261 BCE); ~150,000 deported, 100,000 killed. • Replaced **Bheri-ghosa** (conquest by war) with **Dhamma-ghosa** (conquest by Dharma/moral. • Sent missionaries worldwide, built 84,000 stupas, erected pillars, patronized Third Buddhist Council. • 💡 Chandragupta Maurya = converted to Jainism (not Buddhism); Kanishka = converted to Buddhism later (Kushan); Bindusara = not a Buddhist convert — Ashoka alone converted after Kalinga War.