Jainism And Buddhism PYQs — 33 UPSC CSE Previous Year Questions

Question 1

What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?

Accepted Answer

A. The meditation of the Buddha

Question 2

Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?

Accepted Answer

B. Yaksha (demi-gods)

Question 3

With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets ? Nayaputta Shakyamuni Tathagata Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Accepted Answer

B. 2 and 3 only

Question 4

Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on :

Accepted Answer

C. Sarvastivada Vinaya

Question 5

With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements : The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

B. Only two

Question 6

"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects." The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

Accepted Answer

B. Jainism

Question 7

In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

Accepted Answer

A. Andhra

Question 8

With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts : Nettipakarana Parishishtaparvan Avadanashataka Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana Which of the above are Jaina texts ?

Accepted Answer

B. 2 and 4 only

Question 9

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

Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

B. 2 and 3 only

Question 10

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas'?

Accepted Answer

C. Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path

Question 11

With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs : 1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana - Priest with a high status 3. Upasaka - Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

Accepted Answer

B. 1 and 3 only

Question 12

Consider the following: Deification of the Buddha Treading the path of Bodhisattvas Image worship and rituals Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

D. 1, 2 and 3

Question 13

With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to

Accepted Answer

B. Jainism

Question 14

With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?

Accepted Answer

C. Maitreya

Question 15

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

Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

B. 2 only

Question 16

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

Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC CSE I - 2020

Accepted Answer

B. 2 and 3 only

Question 17

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? Avanti Gandhara Kosala Magadha Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

D. 3 and 4 only

Question 18

With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs: Famous shrine Location 1. Tabo monastery and temple complex Spiti Valley 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako Zanskar Valley 3. Alchi temple complex Ladakh Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

C. 1 and 3 only

Question 19

Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Accepted Answer

D. 1, 2 and 3

Question 20

Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

A. The extinction of the flame of desire

Question 21

The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by

Accepted Answer

A. Universal Law

Question 22

Mahamastakabhisheka, a great religious event, is associated with and done for who of the following?

Accepted Answer

A. Bahubali

Question 23

Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

B. Jainism

Question 24

Consider the following statements:

The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka.
The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Question 25

With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

C. Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharaavela in the first century BC.

Question 26

Consider the following statements

Vardhaman Mahavira's mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka
Gautama Buddha's mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty
Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Benaras

Which of these statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

C. 2 and 3

Question 27

In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the:

Accepted Answer

B. confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season

Question 28

Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir?

Accepted Answer

D. Vasumitra

Question 29

Assertion (A): The emphasis of Jainism on non-violence (ahimsa) prevented agriculturalists from embracing Jainism. Reason (R): Cultivation involved killing of insects and pests.

Accepted Answer

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Question 30

The concept of Eight-fold path forms the theme of:

Accepted Answer

D. Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutta

Question 31

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 codes given below:

Codes:

Accepted Answer

C. 1, 2 and 4

Question 32

In the Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisatva Avalokitesvara was also known as:

Accepted Answer

C. Padmapani

Question 33

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

Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
Denial of efficacy of rituals
Non-injury to animal life

Select the answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

B. 2, 3 and 4

1. Parivrajaka	- Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana	- Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka	- Lay follower of Buddhism

Famous shrine	Location
1. Tabo monastery and temple complex	Spiti Valley
2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako	Zanskar Valley
3. Alchi temple complex	Ladakh