Buddhism Archives

21. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are

Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?

Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks

Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks

Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it

There is no material difference between the two

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Chaitya is a Buddhist place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place or monastery for monks.

Buddhist rock-cut architecture primarily consists of two types:
1. **Chaitya:** A prayer hall or place of worship. These often have a stupa at one end, which is the object of veneration. The hall typically has a nave, aisles, and an apse surrounding the stupa.
2. **Vihara:** A monastery or dwelling place for monks and nuns. Viharas usually consist of a central hall surrounded by cells for residential purposes.

Famous examples of Buddhist rock-cut caves with both Chaitya and Vihara halls include those at Ajanta, Ellora, Karle, Bhaja, and Kanheri. These sites provide significant insights into early Indian Buddhist art and architecture.

22. Madhyamika Karika, the basic text of Madhyamika School, was composed

Madhyamika Karika, the basic text of Madhyamika School, was composed by

Nagarjuna

Asanga

Vasubandhu

Dharmakirti

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Madhyamika Karika (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā), meaning “Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way,” is the foundational text of the Madhyamika school of Mahayana Buddhism. It was composed by the Indian Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna (c. 150-250 CE), who is considered one of the most important figures in Mahayana philosophy.

– Nagarjuna’s philosophy is based on the concept of shunyata (emptiness), arguing that phenomena are empty of inherent existence (svabhava).
– The Madhyamika school is known as the “Middle Way” because it avoids the extremes of asserting existence or non-existence of phenomena.
– Asanga and Vasubandhu were prominent figures of the Yogacara school of Mahayana Buddhism, which focused on the nature of consciousness.
– Dharmakirti was a major Buddhist philosopher of the 7th century CE, primarily known for his work on Buddhist logic (Pramana).

Nagarjuna is revered as the second Buddha by some Mahayana traditions. His work significantly influenced the development of Buddhist thought in India and subsequent traditions in East Asia and Tibet.

23. The Buddhist text Majjhima Nikaya is in

The Buddhist text Majjhima Nikaya is in

Sanskrit

Pali

Prakrit

Telugu

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Majjhima Nikaya (Collection of Middle Length Discourses) is a major collection of Buddhist scriptures included in the Sutta Pitaka, which is part of the Pali Canon (Tipitaka) of Theravada Buddhism. These texts are composed in the Pali language, which was the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism and is based on a Middle Indo-Aryan dialect.

The Pali Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravadan Buddhist tradition, and the Sutta Pitaka, containing the Majjhima Nikaya, is written in Pali.

Many Mahayana Buddhist texts were composed in Sanskrit or Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit. Prakrit refers to a group of Middle Indo-Aryan languages, including those used in early Jain and some Buddhist texts (other than Pali). Telugu is a Dravidian language spoken in India, unrelated to these ancient languages.

24. Which of the following statements about Bodhisattvas is/are correct?

Which of the following statements about Bodhisattvas is/are correct?

1. They were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts.
2. They made attempt to attain Nibbana.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.

Statement 1: They were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts. This statement is correct and accurately describes a core aspect of the Bodhisattva concept in Mahayana Buddhism. Bodhisattvas are characterized by immense compassion (karuṇā) and work diligently to accumulate merit (puṇya) and wisdom (prajñā) to help others.
Statement 2: They made attempt to attain Nibbana. This statement is also considered correct. The ultimate goal of a Bodhisattva is to become a Buddha. Buddhahood is a state of complete enlightenment and liberation, which includes the attainment of Nibbana (Nirvana). While Bodhisattvas vow to postpone their own final Nibbana until all beings are liberated, their path is inherently one towards achieving the state of perfect liberation (Buddhahood), which encompasses Nibbana. They are working towards the state of Nibbana, not just for themselves, but for the benefit of all.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva ideal is contrasted with the Arahant ideal of Theravada Buddhism. An Arahant seeks personal liberation (Nibbana). A Bodhisattva seeks Buddhahood to liberate all sentient beings, deliberately delaying their own final Nibbana out of compassion. However, achieving Buddhahood necessarily involves realizing Nibbana in its fullest sense. So, the attempt to attain Nibbana is fundamental to their path, albeit with a universal scope and a commitment to guiding others first.

25. Who among the following was Buddha’s foster mother?

Who among the following was Buddha’s foster mother?

Purna

Gajalakshmi

Maya

Mahapajapati Gotami

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The correct answer is D) Mahapajapati Gotami.

Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) was born to Queen Maya. However, his mother died seven days after his birth. He was then raised by his maternal aunt (his mother’s younger sister) Mahapajapati Gotami, who also married his father, King Suddhodana. Therefore, Mahapajapati Gotami was his foster mother.

Mahapajapati Gotami later became the first woman to be ordained as a Buddhist nun (bhikkhuni), with the permission and encouragement of the Buddha. Maya was his birth mother. Purna and Gajalakshmi are not directly related to Buddha’s immediate family in this context.

26. Composition of the biography of the Buddha occupies a special place in

Composition of the biography of the Buddha occupies a special place in Buddhist literature. Which one among the following is a full-fledged biography of the Buddha ?

Lalitavistara

Milind Panho

Sariputra-prakarana

Avadanasataka

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The correct option is A, as Lalitavistara is considered a full-fledged biography of the Buddha.

– Lalitavistara (The Play in Full) is a key Mahayana Buddhist text that describes the life of Siddhartha Gautama from his descent from the Tushita heaven until his first sermon at Sarnath. It is primarily a biographical narrative.
– Milind Panho (Questions of Milinda) is a Theravada Buddhist text in the form of a dialogue between the Indo-Greek king Menander I (Pali: Milinda) and the Buddhist sage Nagasena. It discusses various philosophical and doctrinal questions, not the life of the Buddha.
– Sariputra-prakarana is a Sanskrit play by the famous Buddhist poet Ashvaghosha, describing the conversion of two chief disciples of the Buddha, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana. It is not a biography of the Buddha himself.
– Avadanasataka (Century of Glorious Deeds) is an early collection of 100 Buddhist narratives, primarily illustrating the doctrine of karma by recounting deeds from past lives that resulted in specific outcomes in the present. While some stories involve the Buddha, it is not a continuous or full biography.

Other notable biographies of the Buddha in Buddhist literature include the Buddhacharita by Ashvaghosha (Sanskrit) and the Pali Canon’s accounts spread across various texts like the Jataka tales (focused on previous lives) and major Nikayas, although none in the Pali Canon form a single, complete, continuous biography in the same way some later texts do.

27. The Buddhist Sangha was an organization of monks

The Buddhist Sangha was an organization of monks

who became teachers of Dhamma

that helped the spread of education

to help the integration of the State

to provide relief to the poor in times of distress

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The Buddhist Sangha is the community of Buddhist monks and nuns who have renounced worldly life to follow the path to enlightenment. A primary function of the members of the Sangha is the preservation, study, practice, and teaching of the Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings). They serve as living examples of the Buddhist path and are responsible for disseminating the Dhamma to lay followers and new members of the community.

– The Sangha is the Buddhist monastic community.
– Its members are monks and nuns.
– A core function is the study, practice, and teaching of the Dhamma.

While Buddhist monasteries often functioned as centers of learning (related to B), their primary educational focus was on religious texts and philosophy. The Sangha’s role is primarily religious and spiritual, not directly related to state integration (C) or organized widespread poverty relief (D), although charitable acts are part of Buddhist practice.

28. The significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana forms of Budd

The significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana forms of Buddhism lay in that

Mahayana allowed for the transference of merit while in Hinayana, a person would only help another by example and advice

Mahayana believed in the Bodhisattvas while Hinayana did not

Hinayana promoted the ideas of a suffering saviour

Mahayana propounded the idea of the 'Arhant', the 'worthy'

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A significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana (often equated with Theravada) Buddhism lies in their understanding of the path to liberation and the role of merit. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the ideal of the Bodhisattva, one who postpones their own enlightenment to help others achieve liberation, and teaches that merit can be transferred to benefit other beings. Hinayana, on the other hand, primarily focuses on the individual’s path to becoming an Arhant (one who achieves personal enlightenment), and while helping others through teaching and example is important, the concept of transferring merit for the salvation of others is not central.

– Mahayana emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal and universal salvation.
– Hinayana emphasizes the Arhant ideal and individual liberation.
– Mahayana allows for the transference of merit to others.
– Hinayana/Theravada focuses on individual accumulation of merit and helping others primarily through teaching/example.

Mahayana schools developed later and are more widespread in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) and Tibet. Hinayana/Theravada is prevalent in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos). Other differences include views on the nature of the Buddha, cosmology, and the number of Buddhas.

29. In Buddhist principle, the performance of Sila and the achievement of

In Buddhist principle, the performance of Sila and the achievement of Samadhi and Prajna lead to Nirvana. What does this Sila stand for ?

Mental control

Physical control

Development of insight

Strict penance

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In Buddhist principles, the path to Nirvana is often described through Sila (ethical conduct/morality), Samadhi (concentration/meditation/mental control), and Prajna (wisdom/insight). Sila involves adherence to precepts and ethical discipline, which includes controlling physical actions and speech according to moral principles. While Sila encompasses more than just physical actions (it includes speech and mental effort to maintain ethics), among the given options, “Physical control” is the closest description related to the ethical control over actions that Sila entails, differentiating it from purely mental control (Samadhi) or insight (Prajna).

Sila is the foundation of the Buddhist path, representing ethical conduct, morality, and discipline, essential for developing concentration (Samadhi) and wisdom (Prajna).

Sila is often translated as ‘virtue’, ‘morality’, ‘ethics’, or ‘discipline’. It involves following precepts such as not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying, and not taking intoxicants. These precepts directly involve controlling one’s physical actions and speech.

30. Early Buddhist sculptors did not show Buddha in human form. Through wh

Early Buddhist sculptors did not show Buddha in human form. Through which of the following symbols was Buddha’s presence shown by the early sculptors?

Empty Seat and Stupa only

Wheel and Tree only

Wheel, Tree and Stupa only

Empty Seat, Wheel, Tree and Stupa

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The correct answer is D) Empty Seat, Wheel, Tree and Stupa.

In early Buddhist art (before the emergence of iconic Buddha images in schools like Gandhara and Mathura), the presence of the Buddha was represented through symbols. These symbols were visual metaphors for key events in his life or his teachings. Common symbols included: the Empty Seat (representing his meditation and enlightenment or his absence after Parinirvana), the Wheel of Dharma (Dharmachakra, symbolizing his first sermon), the Bodhi Tree (representing his enlightenment), footprints of the Buddha, and the Stupa (symbolizing his Mahaparinirvana or final liberation).

This aniconic phase of Buddhist art lasted for several centuries. The development of the Buddha image is generally attributed to the Gandhara and Mathura schools around the 1st century CE. The use of symbols did not entirely disappear even after the advent of iconic images, but the human form of the Buddha became the dominant representation.