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History & Civilization Cluster170 Verified Questions
Buddhism GK Questions & Answers
Buddhism arose during the second urbanization of the 6th century BCE as an egalitarian Shramana movement founded by Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563–483 BCE) of the Shakya clan. Gautama renounced palace life during the Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana), attained enlightenment (Nirvana) under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, and delivered his first sermon, the Dharmachakrapravartana, at the Deer Park in Sarnath. Central to Buddhist doctrine is the Middle Path (Madhyama Pratipada), which rejects both extreme asceticism and sensual indulgence.
The core philosophy is articulated in the Four Noble Truths (Chatvari Arya Satyani): Dukkha (suffering), Samudaya (origin of suffering rooted in Trishna), Nirodha (cessation of suffering), and Magga (the Noble Eightfold Path or Ashtangika Marga). Ontological tenets emphasize Pratityasamutpada (dependent origination), Anicca (impermanence), and Anatta (non-self). Following the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar, four Buddhist Councils structured doctrinal canon and monastic governance. The First Council at Rajagriha (483 BCE) compiled the Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka; the Second Council at Vaishali (383 BCE) split the Sangha into Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas; the Third Council at Pataliputra (250 BCE) under Emperor Ashoka codified the Abhidhamma Pitaka; and the Fourth Council in Kashmir (72 CE) under Kanishka formalized the Mahayana-Hinayana division.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and delivered the Dharmachakrapravartana sermon at Sarnath.
The Four Noble Truths diagnose suffering (Dukkha) and its cause (Trishna), prescribing the Noble Eightfold Path for liberation.
Core ontological concepts include Pratityasamutpada (dependent origination), Anicca (impermanence), and Anatta (non-self).
The Pali canon (Tripitaka) consists of the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic discipline), Sutta Pitaka (discourses), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophy).
Four Buddhist Councils systematized canonical scriptures and led to the Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada) divisions.
Showing 25 Curated Questions170 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-HIST-00606
easyAncient India & Indus Valley
Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his inaugural sermon, traditionally known as the 'Turning of the Wheel of Dharma' (Dharmachakrapravartana)?
Verified Explanation
Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon to his five former ascetic companions at the Deer Park in Rishipatana (modern Sarnath near Varanasi).
2ID: GK-EPIG-00011
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
Which Ashokan pillar inscription in Nepal commemorates Emperor Ashoka's visit to the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and records the reduction of land tax to one-eighth?
Verified Explanation
The Rummindei (Lumbini) Pillar Inscription was erected in the 20th year of Ashoka's reign (circa 249 BCE). It marks the Buddha's birthplace (Sakyamuni jata ti), declares Lumbini village exempt from religious tax (Bali), and reduces its land revenue tribute (Bhaga) from one-fourth/one-sixth to one-eighth.
3ID: GK-EPIG-00028
hardAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
The Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription in Nepal records that Emperor Ashoka enlarged the stupa of which previous Buddha (Manushi Buddha) to double its original size in the 14th year of his consecration?
Verified Explanation
The Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription in the Nepalese Tarai states that King Devanampriya Priyadasi in the 14th year of his coronation doubled the size of the stupa of Buddha Konakamana (the 23rd of the 24 Buddhas of antiquity) and visited it in person to offer worship in his 20th year.
4ID: GK-EPIG-00177
mediumCopper-Plate Charters & Ancient Indian Coinage
Kushana Emperor Kanishka I issued extremely rare gold and copper coins depicting the standing figure of Gautama Buddha wearing a monastic sanghati robe, identified by which Bactrian Greek legend?
Verified Explanation
Kanishka I issued rare gold Dinaras and copper tetradrachms depicting Lord Buddha standing with his right hand raised in the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness), accompanied by the legend 'BODDO' (or seated Maitreya labeled 'METRAU BOUDO').
5ID: GK-EPIG-00245
hardCopper-Plate Charters & Ancient Indian Coinage
On the rare gold and bronze coins issued by Kushana Emperor Kanishka I, the standing or seated figure of the Buddha is accompanied by which Greek inscription?
Verified Explanation
Kanishka I issued rare gold Dinaras and copper coins depicting Lord Buddha standing in Abhaya mudra or seated, with the Greek legend 'BODDO' (or 'SAKAMANO BODDO' for Shakyamuni Buddha), representing one of the earliest anthropomorphic depictions of Buddha in numismatics.
6ID: GK-EPIG-00315
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
In the Rummindei (Lumbini) Minor Pillar Inscription in Nepal, Emperor Ashoka commemorates his visit to the Buddha's birthplace by reducing the land tax (Bhaga) of Lumbini village to what fraction?
Verified Explanation
In the Rummindei Pillar Inscription, Ashoka states that because the Buddha, the Sage of the Sakyas (Sakyamuni), was born here, he made the village of Lumbini free of Bali (religious cess) and reduced its Bhaga (land revenue tax) from the standard 1/6th to 1/8th (Attha-bhagiya).
7ID: GK-EPIG-00384
mediumAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
The Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription in the Nepal Terai records that in his 14th regnal year, Emperor Ashoka enlarged to double its original size the stupa dedicated to which previous celestial Buddha?
Verified Explanation
The Nigali Sagar pillar inscription records that Ashoka increased the stupa of Buddha Konagamana to double its previous size in his 14th regnal year and personally visited and worshipped at the site in his 20th regnal year.
8ID: GK-EPIG-00418
hardCopper-Plate Charters & Ancient Indian Coinage
On the rare gold and copper coins of Kushana Emperor Kanishka I, the standing image of Lord Buddha is labeled with which Greek-lettered legend?
Verified Explanation
Kanishka I issued coins depicting deities from Persian, Greek, and Indian traditions. His rare Buddha coins depict the Buddha standing in abhaya mudra with the Bactrian legend 'BODDO' (or seated with 'BOYDO'), representing one of the earliest anthropomorphic depictions of the Buddha in Indian art.
The extremely rare gold and bronze coins of Kushan Emperor Kanishka I depicting the Buddha either standing or seated are renowned for bearing what legend in Greek script?
Verified Explanation
Kanishka I issued exceptionally rare gold and copper coins depicting Gautama Buddha. The coins show the Buddha in the abhaya-mudra (gesture of fearlessness) and bear the legend 'BODDO' (or 'BOUDO' / 'SAKAMANA BODDO' for Shakyamuni Buddha) in Greek characters.
10ID: GK-EPIG-00552
easyAshokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
The Rummindei (Lumbini) Pillar Inscription in Nepal commemorates Emperor Ashoka's royal pilgrimage to the Buddha's birthplace and records which economic concession to the village?
Verified Explanation
In the Rummindei Pillar Inscription, Ashoka records his visit to the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha in his 20th regnal year, declaring Lumbini free of Bali (religious cess) and reducing its Bhaga (land revenue) to 1/8th (atthabhagiya).
On the rare gold stater coins of Kushana Emperor Kanishka I featuring the standing Buddha on the reverse, what Greek-script legend is inscribed alongside the haloed figure?
Verified Explanation
Kanishka I issued exceptionally rare gold coins (and more common copper coins) bearing the image of a standing Buddha raising his right hand in abhayavudha with a halo, labeled in cursive Greek-Bactrian script as 'BODDO' (and 'METRAGO BODDO' for Maitreya).
12ID: GK-PUBS-00438
hardWings of Fire, Discovery of India & Famous Biographies
'The Buddha and His Dhamma', a comprehensive treatise on Buddhist philosophy and Theravada-Mahayana synthesis published posthumously in 1957, was the final major work of which thinker?
Verified Explanation
'The Buddha and His Dhamma' was the last monumental composition completed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar before his passing in December 1956, published in 1957.
13ID: GK-DAYS-00623
mediumHistorical Date Milestones
On which date did India conduct its first peaceful nuclear explosion experiment, codenamed 'Smiling Buddha', at Pokhran in Rajasthan?
Verified Explanation
India conducted Operation Smiling Buddha on Buddha Purnima, May 18, 1974, becoming the first nation outside the UN Security Council P5 to test a nuclear device.
14ID: GK-MONU-00483
hardAjanta, Ellora, Elephanta & Bhimbetka
In Cave 26 at Ajanta, what colossal 7-meter-long monolithic rock relief carved along the left aisle wall depicts the final passing of Gautama Buddha surrounded by weeping disciples and celestial beings?
Verified Explanation
The left wall of Cave 26 at Ajanta features the colossal 7.3-meter relief of the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha lying between two Sal trees, with mourning disciple Ananda and grief-stricken monks sculpted below.
15ID: GK-MONU-00538
hardAjanta, Ellora, Elephanta & Bhimbetka
Which two caves at Ajanta are celebrated as the most elaborate Mahayana-era rock-cut Chaitya-grihas (prayer halls), featuring vaulted ribbed roofs, pillared apses, and rock stupas with standing Buddha figures sculpted on their front?
Verified Explanation
Caves 19 and 26 at Ajanta are the grand Chaitya-grihas constructed during the late 5th century under the patronage of the Vakataka dynasty (King Harishena's court), distinguished by sculpted Buddha images emerging directly from the central stupa.
16ID: GK-PHIL-00005
easyFour Noble Truths, Buddhist Councils & Tripitaka
At which ancient town in eastern Uttar Pradesh did Gautama Buddha attain Mahaparinirvana (final passing away) at the age of 80?
Verified Explanation
Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar (capital of the Malla Republic) beneath two Sal trees on the banks of the Hiranyavati river.
17ID: GK-PHIL-00124
easyFour Noble Truths, Buddhist Councils & Tripitaka
Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) was born in the sacred Lumbini grove (in present-day southern Nepal) into which royal Kshatriya clan of Kapilavastu?
Verified Explanation
Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini around 563 BCE into the Shakya Kshatriya clan ruled by his father King Suddhodana from their capital Kapilavastu, earning him the revered title 'Shakyamuni' (Sage of the Shakyas).
18ID: GK-PHIL-00185
easyFour Noble Truths, Buddhist Councils & Tripitaka
Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon, known as the 'Turning of the Wheel of Law' (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta), to his first five disciples?
Verified Explanation
After attaining Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, the Buddha travelled to the Deer Park at Rishipatana (modern Sarnath near Varanasi) to deliver his first sermon.
19ID: GK-PHIL-00245
easyFour Noble Truths, Buddhist Councils & Tripitaka
At which ancient town in the Malla republic (in modern Kushinagar district, Uttar Pradesh) did Gautama Buddha attain his final Mahaparinirvana at the age of 80?
Verified Explanation
Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final passing away) beneath two Sal trees on the banks of the Hiranyavati River in Kushinagar (ancient Kusinara of the Mallas) in circa 483 BCE.
20ID: GK-PHIL-00544
easyFour Noble Truths, Buddhist Councils & Tripitaka
Where did Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) deliver his very first sermon (known as Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta / Turning of the Wheel of Law) to his five former ascetic companions?
Verified Explanation
After attaining Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, Gautama Buddha traveled to the Deer Park (Isipatana/Rishipatana) at Sarnath near Varanasi, where he delivered his first sermon setting the Wheel of Dhamma in motion.
21ID: GK-PHIL-00546
easyFour Noble Truths, Buddhist Councils & Tripitaka
At which ancient town in Uttar Pradesh did Gautama Buddha attain his final physical demise and enter Mahaparinirvana between two Sal trees?
Verified Explanation
Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at the age of eighty in Kushinagar (modern Kasia in Kushinagar district, Uttar Pradesh) under twin Sal trees in the Malla republic.
22ID: GK-HIST-00015
easyVedic Age & Mahajanapadas
In which sacred town did Gautama Buddha achieve supreme enlightenment (Nirvana)?
Verified Explanation
Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
23ID: GK-HIST-00016
easyVedic Age & Mahajanapadas
Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon to his five disciples?
Verified Explanation
Buddha preached his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, at Sarnath near Varanasi.
24ID: GK-HIST-00058
easyVedic Mahajanapada
Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dharmachakrapravartana, at which sacred location?
Verified Explanation
After attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples at Sarnath near Varanasi.
25ID: GK-HIST-00282
mediumPost Independence
India conducted its first peaceful nuclear explosive test under the codename "Smiling Buddha" in May 1974 at which location?
Verified Explanation
India's first nuclear test, codenamed "Smiling Buddha" (Operation Happy Krishna), was conducted on 18 May 1974 at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan.
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