Buddhism & Jainism — Set 9

Correct Answer: D. Buddhism

• **Four Noble Truths (Arya Satya)** = foundation of Buddhism; subject of Buddha's very first sermon. • The 4 truths: **Dukkha** (suffering exists) → Samudaya (cause = desire) → Nirodha (cessation) → **Magga** (path = Eightfold Path). • Preached at Sarnath to 5 companions; this event called Dhammachakkappavattana. • 💡 Jainism = 3 Jewels + 5 vows (not Four Noble Truths); Hinduism = Dharma/Karma/Moksha; Sikhism = Guru/Nam — Four Noble Truths are exclusively Buddhist teaching.

Correct Answer: B. Nirvana

• **Nirvana (Nibbana)** = ultimate goal of Buddhism; literally means 'blowing out' (extinguishing of desire/hatred/delusion). • Two types: **Sopadhi-shesha Nirvana** (while alive) = Jivanmukti equivalent; **Parinirvana** = final Nirvana at death. • Contrast: Jainism's goal = **Moksha** (liberation of Jiva); Hinduism = Moksha/Mukti — similar concept, different terms. • 💡 Immortality = not a Buddhist concept (rejects eternal soul); Heaven = temporary abode in Buddhist cosmology; 'Sorg' = not a real term — Nirvana alone is the correct ultimate goal.

Correct Answer: A. Kundagrama

• **Kundagrama** (near Vaishali, Bihar) = birthplace of Lord Mahavira (~**599 BCE**). • Born to King Siddhartha and Queen **Trishala** of the Jnatrika (Licchavi) clan. • Childhood name: **Vardhamana** (meaning 'one who grows/increases'); later called Mahavira (Great Hero). • 💡 Pavapuri = Mahavira's death site; Sarnath = Buddhist (not Jain); Lumbini = Buddha's birthplace — Kundagrama alone is Mahavira's birthplace.

Correct Answer: C. Pavapuri

• **Pavapuri** (near Rajgir, Bihar) = site of Lord Mahavira's Nirvana/death (~**527 BCE**); age 72. • **Jal Mandir** (Water Temple) = beautiful temple built in a pond at the cremation/Nirvana spot. • Pavapuri is a major Jain pilgrimage site; also the site where Ashoka's brother Vithashoka took Jain vows. • 💡 Vaishali = Mahavira's birth region (not death); Rajgriha = Buddhist council site; Kundagrama = Mahavira's birthplace — Pavapuri alone is Mahavira's Nirvana site.

Correct Answer: A. Digambara

• **Digambara** = major Jain sect (sky-clad/naked monks); the other Jain sect is **Shvetambara** (white-clad). • Digambara-Shvetambara split occurred after First Jain Council at Pataliputra (~300 BCE). • Key difference: Digambaras deny women can attain moksha in current life; Shvetambaras allow it. • 💡 Vajrayana, Mahayana, Hinayana = all Buddhist sects (not Jain) — Digambara is the only Jain sect listed.

Correct Answer: A. Gautama Buddha

• **Gautama Buddha** = 'Light of Asia' (Tathagata); title from Sir **Edwin Arnold's** 1879 epic poem. • Arnold's poem 'The Light of Asia' popularized Buddhism in the West; translated into many languages. • Buddha also called: **Shakyamuni** (sage of Shakyas), Tathagata (thus-gone), Sugata (well-gone). • 💡 Mahavira = 'Jina' and 'Vardhamana' (not Light of Asia); Ashoka = 'Priyadarshi' (dear to gods); Gandhi = 'Mahatma' — only Buddha is called 'Light of Asia'.

Correct Answer: A. Gautama Buddha

• **Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga)** = propounded by Gautama Buddha; 4th Noble Truth (the path). • 8 steps: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration. • Grouped into **Sila** (ethics) + **Samadhi** (meditation) + **Prajna** (wisdom) = three trainings. • 💡 Shankaracharya = Advaita Vedanta (not Buddhist); Kabir = Bhakti saint; Mahavira = proposed 5 Mahavrata (not Eightfold Path) — only Buddha propounded the Eightfold Path.

Correct Answer: D. Cow

• **Cow is absent** from Ashokan pillar capitals; common animals: **Lion, Bull, Elephant, Horse**. • Each animal = stage of Buddha's life: Lion = birth (roar of proclamation), Bull/Elephant/Horse = various symbols. • **Sarnath Lion Capital** (4 lions) = national emblem of India; most famous Ashokan capital. • 💡 Bull = found on Rampurva capital; Lion = Sarnath, Vaishali capitals; Elephant = Sankissa capital — Cow alone is NOT depicted; it's the odd one out.

Correct Answer: C. Suddhodana

• **Suddhodana** = Buddha's father; chief (raja) of the **Shakya clan** of Kapilavastu. • Tried to shield Siddhartha from suffering by surrounding him with luxury; had astrologers predict a conqueror-king. • Kapilavastu = modern Nepal/UP border area; Suddhodana later became a Buddhist disciple. • 💡 Rahul = Buddha's son (not father); Bimbisara = Magadha king (patron, not father); Siddhartha = Buddha's own name — Suddhodana alone is Buddha's father.

Correct Answer: A. Yashodhara

• **Yashodhara** = Buddha's wife; princess of the **Koliya clan**; married Siddhartha at age 16. • Their son: **Rahula** (born just before Buddha's renunciation); name means 'fetter/bond'. • Yashodhara later became a Buddhist nun (bhikkhuni) and attained Arhatship. • 💡 Amrapali = courtesan-devotee of Buddha (not wife); Mahamaya = Buddha's mother; Trishala = Mahavira's mother — Yashodhara alone is Buddha's wife.