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Religious Movements — Jainism and Buddhism — GK Questions with Answers

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14 questions
  1. Which feature(s) did Buddhism and Jainism share? 1. Avoiding the extremes of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to Vedic authority 3. Denial that rituals work (IAS 1996)
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 1 and 3
    4. All three
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) 2 and 3

    The middle path is Buddhist only; Jainism favoured severe penance.

  2. Why did Buddhism decline in India in early medieval times? 1. The Buddha came to be seen as an avatar of Vishnu 2. Central Asian invaders up to the last Gupta king turned Hindu and persecuted Buddhists 3. The Gupta kings strongly opposed Buddhism (IAS 2010)
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 3
    3. 2 and 3
    4. All three
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) 1 only

    The Guptas were tolerant — they even founded Nalanda.

  3. Anekantavada is a core doctrine of — (IAS 2009)
    1. Buddhism
    2. Jainism
    3. Sikhism
    4. Vaishnavism
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Jainism

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  4. In Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is also known as — (IAS 1997)
    1. Vajrapani
    2. Manjushri
    3. Padmapani
    4. Maitreya
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Padmapani

    Padmapani — "holder of the lotus".

  5. Assertion (A): Gandhara art shows Hellenistic influence. Reason (R): That art shaped the Hinayana school. (IAS 1998)
    1. Both true, R explains A
    2. Both true, R does not explain A
    3. A true, R false
    4. A false, R true
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) A true, R false

    Gandhara art served Mahayana, which worshipped images.

  6. Why did the Buddha describe his Eightfold Path as a "middle path"? Because it was —
    1. preached by all religions
    2. the meeting point of all religions
    3. a balanced view of life
    4. the eternal truth of all religions
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) a balanced view of life

    It avoids both indulgence and harsh austerity.

  7. Mahavira’s followers were called Nirgranthas because they —
    1. had given up clothes
    2. had become free from worldly bonds
    3. had become perfect men
    4. accepted Mahavira’s teaching
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) had become free from worldly bonds

    Nirgrantha = "without knots/bonds".

  8. Which kingdoms were linked with the Buddha’s own lifetime? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha (IAS 2015)
    1. 1, 2 and 3
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 1, 3 and 4
    4. 3 and 4
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) 3 and 4

    He lived and preached in Kosala and Magadha.

  9. Which of these are part of the Noble Eightfold Path? 1. Right livelihood 2. Right mindfulness 3. Right view 4. Right attachment
    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 1, 2 and 3
    4. All four
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) 1, 2 and 3

    "Right attachment" is not on the path — attachment is what the path removes.

  10. Which best describes nirvana in Buddhism? (IAS 2013)
    1. Extinction of the flame of desire
    2. Complete annihilation of the self
    3. A restful, blissful state
    4. A mental stage beyond comprehension
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Extinction of the flame of desire

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  1. Which apply to Jain doctrine? 1. Penance is the surest way to destroy karma 2. Every object, even the smallest particle, has a soul 3. Karma is the soul’s curse and has to be destroyed (IAS 2013)
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 1 and 3
    4. All three
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) All three

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  2. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held under —
    1. Ashoka
    2. Kalashoka
    3. Kanishka
    4. Harsha
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Kanishka

    At Kundalavana in Kashmir, presided over by Vasumitra.

  3. Who presided over the First Jain Council at Pataliputra?
    1. Bhadrabahu
    2. Sthulabhadra
    3. Devardhi Kshamashramana
    4. Hemachandra
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Sthulabhadra

    Bhadrabahu had gone south with his followers.

  4. Which teacher held that actions bring neither merit nor sin (Akriyavada)?
    1. Ajita Kesakambali
    2. Purana Kassapa
    3. Pakudha Kachchayana
    4. Sanjaya Belatthiputta
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Purana Kassapa

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