Buddhism Archives

31. Which one of the following is the common element among Rajagriha, Vais

Which one of the following is the common element among Rajagriha, Vaishali and Pataliputra ?

Pali canon of the Sthaviravadins was compiled there

Ashokan Major Rock Edicts were found there

Places where Buddhist Councils were held

Places associated with the compilation of Buddhist canons of the Mahasanghikas

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UPSC NDA-1 – 2015

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The correct answer is C) Places where Buddhist Councils were held. Rajagriha, Vaishali, and Pataliputra are famous in Buddhist history as the locations where the first, second, and third Buddhist Councils were held, respectively.

– The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) shortly after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha to preserve his teachings (Sutta Pitaka) and monastic rules (Vinaya Pitaka).
– The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali about a century after the Buddha’s death to discuss controversial points of Vinaya.
– The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra (modern Patna) during the reign of Emperor Ashoka under the presidency of Moggaliputta Tissa. This council aimed to purify the Sangha and compile the Kathāvatthu (part of the Abhidhamma Pitaka).

While these cities were important centers in the Magadha empire and under Ashoka’s rule, they are most distinctly linked by having hosted these pivotal early Buddhist councils which played a crucial role in the compilation and preservation of the Buddhist canon and the early development of different Buddhist schools.

32. Consider the following statements: 1. According to Mahavamsa, Ashoka

Consider the following statements:

1. According to Mahavamsa, Ashoka turned to the Buddha’s dhamma when his nephew Nigrodha preached the doctrine to him.
2. Divyavadana ascribes Ashoka being drawn to the Buddha’s teaching to the influence of Samudra, a merchant-turned monk.
3. Dipavamsa speaks of Samudra, the 12-year-old son of a merchant, as the key figure in Ashoka’s coming under the influence of the Buddhist dhamma.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

1 and 2

1 and 3

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UPSC CDS-2 – 2019

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Statement 1 is correct: According to the Mahavamsa, Ashoka was influenced by the Buddhist monk Nigrodha, his young nephew, which led to his deeper involvement with the dhamma.
Statement 2 is correct: The Divyavadana provides a different account, suggesting Ashoka was drawn to Buddhism through the influence of a merchant (sometimes named Samudra) who became a monk.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While the Dipavamsa is another Sri Lankan chronicle, like the Mahavamsa, it also focuses on the influence of Nigrodha on Ashoka’s initial inclination towards Buddhism, rather than primarily attributing it to Samudra as the key figure.

Ancient Buddhist texts like Mahavamsa, Dipavamsa, and Divyavadana offer varying accounts of historical events, including the circumstances of Ashoka’s conversion or increased devotion to Buddhism.

The exact details and timing of Ashoka’s conversion or the individuals who influenced him towards Buddhism differ across various Buddhist scriptures, reflecting different traditions and perspectives. Nigrodha was the son of Ashoka’s elder brother Sumana.

33. The dialogue on Varna between king Avantiputta and Kachchana, a discip

The dialogue on Varna between king Avantiputta and Kachchana, a disciple of Buddha, appears in which one of the following Buddhist texts?

Majjhima Nikaya

Samyutta Nikaya

Anguttara Nikaya

Ambattha Sutta

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UPSC CDS-2 – 2018

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The dialogue concerning Varna between king Avantiputta of Mathura and the Buddhist monk Maha Kachchana appears in the Madhura Sutta, which is part of the Majjhima Nikaya of the Pali Buddhist canon.

The Madhura Sutta records a discussion where Maha Kachchana argues against the inherent superiority of the Brahmin varna and asserts that varna distinctions are not based on birth but on actions and moral conduct, using empirical examples to challenge the claims of purity associated with Brahmins.

The Majjhima Nikaya is the collection of ‘Middle-length Discourses’ and is one of the five main divisions (Nikayas) of the Sutta Pitaka, which is part of the Tipitaka, the sacred scripture of Theravada Buddhism.

34. The story Gandatindu Jataka was written in which language?

The story Gandatindu Jataka was written in which language?

Sanskrit

Telugu

Tamil

Pali

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UPSC CDS-2 – 2018

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The story Gandatindu Jataka is one of the Jataka tales. Jataka tales are part of the canonical literature of Theravada Buddhism and are traditionally written in the Pali language.

Jataka tales recount stories of the previous lives of the Buddha, in both human and animal form. They are part of the Khuddaka Nikaya, a collection within the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon.

Pali is an Indo-Aryan language, closely related to Sanskrit, and is the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. While Buddhist texts also exist in Sanskrit (Mahayana Buddhism), the Jataka collection is primarily associated with the Pali Canon.

35. Who among the following were referred to as the ‘Theris’ in ancient

Who among the following were referred to as the ‘Theris’ in ancient India?

Respected women

Elder nuns in Buddhism

Women denied the Bhikkhuni status

Women expelled from the Buddhist Sangha

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2023

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The correct answer is B, Elder nuns in Buddhism.

In ancient Indian Buddhism, the term ‘Theri’ (Pali) or ‘Sthavira’ (Sanskrit) referred to an elder or respected member of the monastic community. Specifically, ‘Theri’ was used for senior nuns who had achieved a certain level of spiritual development and seniority within the Bhikkhuni Sangha (the order of Buddhist nuns). The Therigatha, a collection of verses by early Buddhist nuns, provides insights into the lives and experiences of these ‘Theris’.

The female monastic order in Buddhism is known as the Bhikkhuni Sangha. Women were admitted to the Sangha after some initial hesitation, primarily due to the efforts of Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha’s foster mother, and Ananda, the Buddha’s attendant.

36. Which one of the following statements about Buddhist Stupas in India i

Which one of the following statements about Buddhist Stupas in India is not correct?

Ashoka played an important role in popularizing the Stupa cult.

They were repositories of relics of Buddha and other monks.

They were located in rural areas.

They were located close to trade routes.

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2018

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The statement that Buddhist Stupas were located in rural areas is not correct.

Buddhist Stupas served as centers of pilgrimage and worship. While some might have been in relatively less populated areas, many significant Stupas were built in or near important urban centers, trade routes, or places associated with the Buddha’s life or relics. Locating them near trade routes and populated areas facilitated access for devotees and merchants, contributing to the spread of Buddhism.

Statements A, B, and D are correct. Ashoka was instrumental in commissioning numerous Stupas, significantly popularizing the cult. Stupas are indeed repositories of relics of the Buddha or important monks and nuns, which is their primary function. Their location near trade routes like the Uttarapatha ensured accessibility for pilgrims and travellers from various regions. Examples like the Sanchi Stupa, located near a major route, illustrate this. Claiming they were *only* or predominantly located in rural areas is inaccurate.

37. Which Buddhist text contains an account of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka?

Which Buddhist text contains an account of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka?

Vinaya Pitaka

Sutta Pitaka

Abhidhamma Pitaka

Mahavamsa

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2018

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The Mahavamsa is a Buddhist text that contains an account of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.

The Mahavamsa is an important historical chronicle written in Pali, originating from Sri Lanka. It provides a detailed account of the history of Buddhism and the dynasties of Sri Lanka. Crucially, it includes extensive information about Emperor Ashoka, his conversion to Buddhism, his efforts in spreading the faith, and his role in sending missionaries, including his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta, to Sri Lanka.

The Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka are parts of the Tripitaka, the core scriptures of Theravada Buddhism, focusing on monastic rules, discourses, and philosophical analysis, respectively. While they mention the historical context of Buddha’s time and early Buddhist community, they do not contain a detailed biographical account of Emperor Ashoka in the way the Mahavamsa does. The Mahavamsa, along with other chronicles like the Dipavamsa, is a key source for reconstructing the history of Ashoka and the spread of Buddhism.

38. Which of the following statements is / are true ? Faxian’s Gaoseng F

Which of the following statements is / are true ?

Faxian’s Gaoseng Faxian Zhuan was the earliest first-hand Chinese account of Buddhist sites and practices in India
Faxian was only 25 years old at the time of writing the text
Faxian’s main aim in coming to India was to obtain and take back texts containing monastic rules

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3

2 only

1 and 3 only

3 only

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

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The correct answer is 1 and 3 only.

Statement 1: Faxian’s work, “A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms” (Foguo Ji), is considered one of the earliest and most valuable first-hand accounts by a Chinese traveler of Buddhist sites, practices, and conditions in India and Sri Lanka from his travels in the early 5th century CE. This statement is true.
Statement 2: Faxian undertook his journey to India at an advanced age, seeking authentic Buddhist scriptures. Historical accounts suggest he was quite old, possibly in his sixties, when he began the perilous journey, and was over 80 when he returned and completed his work. The statement that he was only 25 is false.
Statement 3: Faxian’s primary motivation for traveling to India was to obtain Vinaya texts (monastic rules), as he found the versions available in China incomplete or corrupt. He also sought other scriptures like Sutras and Abhidharma. This statement is true.

Faxian’s journey began around 399 CE and lasted about 15 years. His account provides valuable insights into the geography, society, culture, and Buddhist traditions of the regions he visited, including parts of Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent (including Pataliputra, Mathura, Sarnath, Rajgir), and Sri Lanka.