MCQ on Buddhism

Most Important MCQs on the topic ” Buddhism “(Ch-4). These questions are very important for SSC, Railways, Defence, CTET, State PCS, UPSC, Judiciary and all other examinations of India.

Q. Gautam Buddha’s Mother was from which clan?
(A) Shakya clan
(B) Maya clan
(C) Licchavis clan
(D) Koliyan clan

Q. Gautam Buddha was born at______
(A) Vaishali
(B) Lumbini
(C) Kapilvastu
(D) Patliputra

Q. When was Gautam Buddha born?
(A) 563 B.C.
(B) 561 B.C.
(C) 558 B.C.
(D) 544 B.C

Q. Which of the events of Buddha’s life is known as ‘Mahabhinishkramana’?
(A) His death
(B) His birth
(C) His departure from home
(D) His attainment of enlightenment

Q. Which of these is another name of Buddha?
(A) Parth
(B) Prachhanna
(C) Siddhartha
(D) Gudakesh

Q. From which inscriptions of the following dynasty Lumbini was known as Buddha’s birthplace?
(A) Mauryan
(B) Shung
(C) Satavahana
(D) Kushan

Q. Which one of the following inscriptions of Ashoka confirms the tradition that Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini?
(A) Basarh Pillar Inscription
(B) Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription
(C) Rampurwa Pillar Inscription
(D) Rummindei Pillar Inscription

Q. The inscription of which one of the following kings gives the information that Sakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini?
(A) Ashoka
(B) Kanishka
(C) Harsha
(D) Dharmapala

Q. Where did Mahatma Buddha’s ‘Mahaparinirvan’ take place?
(A) Lumbini
(B) Bodh Gaya
(C) Kushinagar
(D) Kapilvastu

Q. Gautam Buddha attained ‘Mahaparinirvana’ in kingdom of______
(A) Aung
(B) Magadha
(C) Malla
(D) Vatsa

Q. Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana at which place?
(A) Kusinara
(B) Shravasti
(C) Lumbini
(D) Sarnath

Q. Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in the Republic of the______
(A) Mallas
(B) Lichchavi
(C) Sakyas
(D) Palas

Q. Mahaparinirvana Temple is located at _______
(A) Kushinagar
(B) Sarnath
(C) Bodh Gaya
(D) Shravasti

Q. Who was the last person to get enlightenment from Gautam Buddha?
(A) Anand
(B) Sariputta
(C) Mogglan
(D) Subhadda

Q. Who amongst the following was the last person converted by the Buddha?
(A) Anand
(B) Vasumitra
(C) Goshal
(D) Subhadda

Q. Where did Buddha reside during the last rainy season of his life?
(A) Shravasti
(B) Vaishali
(C) Kushinagar
(D) Sarnath

Q. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
(A) The extinction of the flame of desire
(B) The complete annihilation of self
(C) A state of bliss and rest
(D) A mental stage beyond all comprehension

Q. Who was Alara Kalama?
(A) A disciple of Buddha
(B) A distinguished Buddhist monk
(C) A king of Buddha’s time
(D) A teacher of Buddha

Q. At which place did Mahatma Buddha give his first ‘Dhammachakkhapavathana’?
(A) Lumbini
(B) Sarnath
(C) Pataliputra
(D) Vaishali

Q. Where did Buddha preach his first sermon?
(A) Kashi
(B) Sarnath
(C) Kushinagar
(D) Bodh Gaya

Q. Who gave his first sermon in Sarnath?
(A) Mahavir
(B) Sankaracharya
(C) Mahatma Buddha
(D) Guru Nanak

Q. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at______
(A) Vaishali
(B) Kaushambi
(C) Sarnath
(D) Pawapuri

Q. In Buddhist text ‘Dharmachakra Parvartana’ is known as______
(A) His (Buddha) sight
(B) First Sermon at Sarnath
(C) His religious norms
(D) Buddha rituals

Q. ‘Dharmachakrapravartana’ was performed at______
(A) Sanchi
(B) Shravasti
(C) Sarnath
(D) Vaishali

Q. Gautam Buddha gave the maximum sermons at which place?
(A) Vaishali
(B) Shravasti
(C) Kaushambi
(D) Rajgriha

Q. Buddha had visited Kaushambi during the reign of______
(A) Satanika
(B) Udayana
(C) Bodhi
(D) Nicakshu

Q. First Buddhist Conference after the death of Buddha was presided over by ______
(A) Mahakashyapa
(B) Dharmasen
(C) Ajatashatru
(D) Nagasen

Q. Who among the following conducted the first Buddhist Council?
(A) Ananda
(B) Mahakassapa
(C) Moggaliputta Tissa
(D) Upali

Q. ‘Saptaparni Cave’ is situated in_______
(A) Sanchi
(B) Nalanda
(C) Rajgriha
(D) Pawapuri

Q. Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir?
(A) Parsva
(B) Nagarjuna
(C) Sudraka
(D) Vasumitra

Q. ‘Mahayana’ sect and Buddhism emerged during the reign of______
(A) Ajatashatru
(B) Ashoka
(C) Dharmapala
(D) Kanishka

Q. A Buddhist Council during the reign of Kanishka was held at_____
(A) Magadha
(B) Pataliputra
(C) Kashmir
(D) Rajgriha

Q. The Fourth Buddhist Council which was held in Kashmir during the reign of which king?
(A) Ashoka
(B) Kalasoka
(C) Kanishka
(D) Ajatashatru

Q. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held during the reign of______
(A) Kanishka
(B) Ashoka
(C) Harshvardhana
(D) Menander

Q. Second Buddhist Council was held at which place?
(A) Rajgriha
(B) Vaishali
(C) Pataliputra
(D) Kashi

Q. Where was the third Buddhist Council held?
(A) Taxila
(B) Sarnath
(C) Bodh Gaya
(D) Pataliputra

Q. The first Buddhist Council was held during the reign of______
(A) Aniruddha
(B) Ajatashatru
(C) Bimbisara
(D) Udayabhadra

Q. The first Buddhist council was held in which of the following cities?
(A) Nalanda
(B) Gaya
(C) Rajgir
(D) Bodh Gaya

Q. Second Buddhist Council was organized by ______
(A) Ajatashatru
(B) Kalashoka
(C) Ananda
(D) Ashoka

Q. Which event of Buddha’s life is represented by the wheel with deer, in Indian Art?
(A) Great departure
(B) Enlightenment
(C) First preaching
(D) Nirvana

Q. Karmapa Lama belongs to which of the following sects of Tibetan Buddhism?
(A) Gelugpa
(B) Kangyupa
(C) Sakyapa
(D) Lingamapa

Q. Mahabodhi Temple has been built at Bodh Gaya where______
(A) Gautama Buddha was born
(B) Gautama Buddha received enlightenment
(C) Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon
(D) Gautama Buddha passed away

Q. The ‘Bodhi Vriksh’ in Bodh Gaya belongs to which generation of its family?
(A) Third
(B) Tenth
(C) Fifth
(D) Sixth

Q. Which of the following Buddhist sacred place is situated on the bank of river Niranjana?
(A) Bodh Gaya
(B) Kushinagar
(C) Lumbini
(D) Rishipatan

Q. The teachings of Buddha are related to _______
(A) Spirit disputes
(B) Celibacy
(C) Religious rituals
(D) Purity and holiness of conduct

Q. Who among the following wanted to become the leader of the Sangha even during the lifetime of Buddha?
(A) Devadatta
(B) Mahakassapa
(C) Upali
(D) Ananda

Q. Whom of the following did Gautam Buddha nominate for the leadership of Buddhist Sangha after his death?
(A) Ananda
(B) Mahakassapa
(C) Upali
(D) None of the above

Q. The concept of Eightfold path forms the theme of ______
(A) Dipavamsa
(B) Divyavadana
(C) Mahaparinibban
(D) Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutra

Q. The entry of women as a ‘Bhikshuni’ into the Buddhist Sangha was allowed by Gautam Buddha at______
(A) Shravasti
(B) Vaishali
(C) Rajgriha
(D) Kushinagar

Q. What is ‘Tripitaka’?
(A) Three monkeys of Gandhiji
(B) Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh
(C) Triratnas of Mahavira
(D) Collection of the preachings of Buddha

Q. ‘Tripitaka’ texts are related to which religion?
(A) Vedic religion
(B) Buddhism
(C) Jainism
(D) Shaivism

Q. ‘Tripitaka’ is associated with which of the following?
(A) Jains
(B) Buddhists
(C) Sikhs
(D) Hindus

Q. Which of the following Buddhist texts contains the rules of Monastic life?
(A) Digha-Nikaya
(B) Vinaya Pitaka
(C) Abhidhamma Pitaka
(D) Vibhasha Shastra

Q. Which of the following Buddhist literature contains the Buddha’s sermons on matters of ethics and doctrine?
(A) Vinaya Pitaka
(B) Jataka Stories
(C) Abhidhamma Pitaka
(D) Sutta Pitaka

Q. ‘Yamaka’ belongs to the Buddhist ‘Pitaka’.
(A) Sutta
(B) Vinaya
(C) Abhidhamma
(D) None of the above

Q. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the ______
(A) Occasion to elect the Sanghparinayaka and two speakers one on Dhamma and the other on Vinaya
(B) Confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season
(C) Ceremony of initiation of new person into the Buddhist Sangha in which the head is shaved and when yellow robes are offered
(D) Gathering of Buddhist monks on the next day to the fullmoon day of Ashadha when they take up a fixed abode for the next four months of rainy season

Q. Ashokaram monastery was situated at ______
(A) Vaishali
(B) Pataliputra
(C) Kaushambi
(D) Shravasti

Q. Where is the highest in the world ‘Vishwa Shanti Stup’ located in Bihar?
(A) Vaishali
(B) Nalanda
(C) Rajgir
(D) Patna

Q. The Giant Buddha statue of 80 feet at Bodh Gaya was constructed by______
(A) Japanese
(B) People of Thailand (Thai)
(C) Srilankan
(D) Bhutanese

Q. Where the word ‘Stupa’ has been used for the first time?
(A) Rigveda
(B) Jatak Katha
(C) Artha Shastra
(D) Astadhyayee

Q. The Stupa site which is not connected with any incident of Lord Buddha’s life, is______
(A) Sarnath
(B) Sanchi
(C) Bodh Gaya
(D) Kusinara

Q. Amravati stupa was built during the period of ______
(A) Maurya
(B) Satvahanas
(C) Gupta
(D) Harshaverdhana

Q. ‘World is unstable and transient’ is related to which of the following?
(A) Buddhism
(B) Jainism
(C) Gita
(D) Vedanta

Q. Who among the following is known as the ‘Light of Asia’?
(A) Gautama Buddha
(B) Mahatma Gandhi
(C) Mahavir Swami
(D) Swami Vivekanand

Q. Who amongst the following is known as the ‘Light of Asia’?
(A) Jesus Christ
(B) Lord Buddha
(C) Paigamber Mohammad
(D) Zarathustra

Q. Sir Edwin Arnold book ‘The Light of the Asia’ is based on______
(A) Divavadana
(B) Lalitvistar
(C) Suttapitak
(D) Abhidhammapitak

Q. What is the fundamental difference between Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism?
(A) Belief in Non-violence
(B) Caste free society
(C) Worship of God and Goddess
(D) Worship of stupas

Q. Gautama Buddha was elevated to the position of God during the period of ______
(A) Ashoka
(B) Kanishka
(C) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(D) Harsha

Q. The first human statue worshipped in India were those of______
(A) Brahma
(B) Vishnu
(C) Buddha
(D) Shiva

Q. Which of the following laid the foundation of idol worship in the country?
(A) Jainism
(B) Buddhism
(C) Ajivikas
(D) Vedic religion

Q. Name the ‘Mudra’ which is represented by the Gandharan Buddha image of Sarnath first sermon.
(A) Abhaya
(B) Dhyana
(C) Dharm Chakra
(D) Bhumisparsha

Q. The standing statue of Gautam Buddha was built in which period?
(A) Gupta Period
(B) Kushana Period
(C) Maurya Period
(D) Guptotar Period

Q. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called; ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes.
(A) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
(B) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
(C) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus life is transitory
(D) Both the statements (A) and (B) are correct in this context

Q. Sarnath Buddha image of Bhumisparsha Mudra belongs to______
(A) Maurya period
(B) Shunga period
(C) Kushana period
(D) Gupta period

Q. In the Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was also known as ______
(A) Vajrapani
(B) Manjusri
(C) Padmapani
(D) Maitreya

Q. The largest and the most evolved rock-cut Chaitya hall of the Hinayana phase is situated at______
(A) Pitalkhora
(B) Junnar
(C) Karle
(D) Bedsa

Q. Which Indian Buddhist monk had been sent to China in the first century A.D.?
(A) Tsang
(B) Ashvaghosha
(C) Vasumitra
(D) Nagarjuna

Q. The Doctrine of void (Shunyata) was propounded by the Buddhist philosopher ______
(A) Nagarjuna
(B) Nagasena
(C) Ananda
(D) Ashvaghosha

Q. To which Buddhist School did Nagarjuna belong?
(A) Sautrantika
(B) Vaibhashika
(C) Madhyamika
(D) Yogachara

Q. Buddhist centre of learning is______
(A) Vikramshila
(B) Varanasi
(C) Girnar
(D) Ujjain

Q. Which among the following state ‘Odantipur’ Education Centre was situated?
(A) Bengal
(B) Bihar
(C) Gujarat
(D) Tamil Nadu

Q. Vallabhi University was situated in______
(A) Bihar
(B) Uttar Pradesh
(C) Bengal
(D) Gujarat

Q. Nalanda University was founded during the dynasty of______
(A) Maurya
(B) Kushan
(C) Gupta
(D) Pala

Q. Who was the founder of Nalanda University?
(A) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(B) Kumargupta
(C) Dharmapal
(D) Pushyagupta

Q. Why was Nalanda University famous in the world?
(A) Medical Science
(B) Philosophy
(C) Buddhist Religious Philosophy
(D) Chemical Science

Q. ‘Nav Nalanda Mahavihar’ is famous for ______
(A) Hsuan-Tsang memorial
(B) Birthplace of Mahavir
(C) Pali Research Centre
(D) Museum

Q. Which one of the following is not common between Buddhism and Jainism?
(A) Ahimsa
(B) Indifference to Vedas
(C) Self-mortification
(D) Rejection of Rituals

Q. Both Jainism and Buddhism believe that ______
(A) Philosophy of karma and transmigration of soul were correct
(B) Salvation could be possible only after death
(C) Both men and women could attain salvation
(D) Middle course of life was the best one

Q. Consider the following statements, what is the difference between chaityas and viharas?
(A) Viharas is a place of worship, while chaitya is dwelling place of the Buddhist monks
(B) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihar is a dwelling place
(C) There is no particular difference between both of them
(D) Viharas and Chaityas both are used as dwelling place

Q. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
(A) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
(B) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(C) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
(D) There is no material difference between the two

Q. Which form of Buddhism was prominent during the Sultanate period?
(A) Theravada
(B) Hinayana
(C) Vajrayana
(D) Tantrayana

Q. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the
code given below.
(A) 1, 2 and 3
(B) 2 and 4
(C) Only 3 and 4
(D) 1, 3 and 4

Q. Four Buddhist Councils were held in the following places. Arrange them in chronological order by using the code given below.

1. Vaishali
2. Rajgriha
3. Kundalavana
4. Pataliputra

Code
(A) 1, 2, 3, 4
(B) 4, 3, 2, 1
(C) 2, 1, 3, 4
(D) 2, 1, 4, 3

Q. Four important events of Buddha’s life and thereby related four places are mentioned below.
Schedule-I
(a) Birth
(b) Enlightenment
(c) First preaching
(d) Death
Schedule-II

1. Sarnath
2. Bodh Gaya
3. Lumbini
4. Kushinagar

Match Schedule-I and Schedule-II and select correct answer from the code given below.

	(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)
(A)	1	2	4	3
(B)	2	3	1	4
(C)	3	2	1	4
(D)	4	1	3	2

Q. Match List-I (Sign) with List-II (Meaning) and select the correct answer using the code given below______
List-I (Sign)
(a) Birth
(b) First Sermon
(c) Enlightenment
(d) Great Departure
List-II (Meaning)

1. Bodhi tree
2. Dharma Chakra
3. Horse
4. Lotus

Code

	(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)
(A)	1	2	3	4
(B)	4	3	2	1
(C)	3	4	1	2
(D)	4	2	1	3

Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Lord Buddha?

1. He was born in Kapilvastu.
2. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
3. He discarded the Vedic religion.
4. He preached noble truths.

Select the correct answer from the code given below.
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 1 and 3
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q. Which of the following is/are true about Gautam Buddha?

1. He believes in ‘Karma’
2. He believes in rebirth
3. Attaining Nirvana
4. Belief in the power of God

Code
(A) Only 1, 2, 3
(B) Only 1, 2
(C) Only 1
(D) All are true

Q. Assertion (A): Kushinagar was the capital of Malla Republic.
Reason (R): Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana took place in Kushinagar.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true

Q. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

1. Lothal : Ancient dockyard
2. Sarnath : First Sermon of Buddha
3. Rajgir : Lion capital of Ashoka
4. Nalanda : Great seat of Buddhist learning

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Code
(A) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(B) 3 and 4
(C) 1, 2 and 4
(D) 1 and 2

Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements.

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2 and 3
(C) Only 2
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements.

1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Q. Out of two statements below first is Assertion (A) and second is Reason (R), carefully read both statements.
Assertion (A): Till the end of twelfth century Nalanda Mahavihara lost its glory.
Reason (R): State protection ceased to be available to Mahavihara.
With respect to the above mentioned two statements, which of the following is true?
(A) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true

Q. Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?

1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment.
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas.
3. Denial of efficiency of rituals.
4. Non-injury to animal life.

Select the answer using the code given below.
Code
(A) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(B) 2, 3 and 4
(C) 1, 3 and 4
(D) 1 and 2

Q. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?

1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment.
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas.
3. Denial of the efficiency of rituals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(A) Only 1
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Q. Lord Buddha preached the following four noble truths. Put them in correct order using the code given below.

1. There is suffering.
2. There is a cessation of suffering.
3. There is a path leading to the cessation of suffering.
4. There is the cause of suffering.

Code
(A) 1, 4, 2, 3
(B) 1, 4, 3, 2
(C) 1, 3, 2, 4
(D) 1, 2, 4, 3

Q. According to philosophy of Buddhism.
Assertion (A) : Rejected the concept of Rebirth.
Reason (R) : Soul is mortal. Choose the correct option.
(A) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is the proper explanation of (A)
(B) (A) and (R) both are true and (R) is not the proper explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true

Q. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about Buddhism?

1. It did not reject caste and class.
2. It challenged highest social ranked Brahmins.
3. It pointed certain castes as low.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below.
Code
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) None of these

Q. The reason included in the expansion of Buddhism.

1. The simplicity of religion
2. Special appeal towards Dalits
3. Missionary concept of religion
4. Regional language
5. The soundness of Vedic spirit by Philosophers

Code
(A) 1, 2 and 3
(B) 2, 3 and 4
(C) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(D) 2, 3, 4 and 5

Q. Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times?

1. Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism.

2. The invading tribes from Central Asia till the time last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists.
3. The Kings of Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) Only 1
(B) 1 and 3
(C) 2 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3

Q. Consider the following statements.

1. The early Chaityagrihas and Viharas of Guntupalle in West Godavari district are rock cut.
2. The Chaityas and Viharas of Eastern Deccan are usuallyrock cut.

Of these statements.
(A) Only 1 is correct
(B) Only 2 is correct
(C) Both 1 and 2 are correct
(D) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct