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Jainism and Buddhism are the two most ancient religions which originated in India. The two religions have influenced the culture, philosophy, and spiritual life of Indians a great deal, and their preaching continue to inspire millions all over the world. They teach non-violence, self-control, and the path to enlightenment and hold immense insights into the human’s life in peace and harmony.
For students who are undergoing competitive exams, topics of Jainism and Buddhism hold vast importance in sections related to history, culture, or general knowledge. Their very basic understanding of origin and principles and key historical events holds good to answer questions proficiently.
This blog covers a comprehensive range of MCQs for Jainism and Buddhism. This collection will help you analyze the core concepts, be sure-footed in dealing with MCQs, and perform better in exams with self-assurance. Whatever is the exam – be it UPSC, SSC, state level, or some other competitive test – it would turn out to be useful as a guide to go through it. Let’s now go on and explore some wisdom on Jainism and Buddhism!
MCQs
Q1. Who was the founder of Jainism?
a) Rishabhdev
b) Parshvanath
c) Mahavir Swami
d) Ajit Nath
Option : A
Rishabhdev was the founder of Jainism and he was also the first Tirthankara. He is also known as Adinath.
Q2. Who is considered the real founder of Jainism?
a) Rishabhdev
b) Parshvanath
c) Mahavir Swami
d) Ajit Nath
Option :C
Mahavir Swami is considered to be the real founder of Jainism. He was born in 540 BC at Kundagram (Vaisali). His childhood name was
Vardhaman.
Q3. How many Tirthankaras are there in Jainism?
a) 21
b) 22
c) 23
d) 24
Option 😀
There are 24 Tirthankaras in Jainism. The first Tirthankara was Rishabhdev, the 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanath, the 24th Tirthankara was Mahavir Swami.
Q4. Who was the mother of mahavira Swami?
a) Trishala
b) Devanandi
c) Yashoda
d) Anoja priyadarshini
Option :A
Mahavir’s father’s name was Siddhartha and mother’s name was Trishala. Yashoda was his wife and Priyadarshini was his daughter.
Q5. Who is not included in the Triratna of Jainism?
a) Right Knowledge
b) Right Philosophy
c) Right Conduct
d) Right Speech
Option 😀
The Triratna principles of Jainism include right knowledge, right philosophy, right conduct.
Q6. What is the word for ‘complete knowledge’ in Jainism?
a) Nirvana
b) Ginnie
c) Gemstone
d) Kaivalya
Option 😀
Mahavir Swami attained knowledge while doing penance under the Sal tree on the banks of river Rijupalika, in MJainism complete knowledge is called Kaivalya.
Q7. In which language did Mahavir Swami give his first sermon?
a) Pali language
b) Prakrit language
c) Sanskrit language
d) Brahmi language
Option :B
Mahavir Swami gave his first sermon in Prakrit language at
Rajgir. And the last sermon was given in Pavapuri.
Q8. Where did Mahavir Swami die (Nirvana) at the age of 72?
a) Mathura
b) Rajgir
c) Pawapuri
d) Dilwara
Option :C
He died (Nirvana) in 468 BC at Pavapuri (Bihar).
Q9. What was the symbol of Rishabhdev, the first Jain Tirthankara?
a) Bull
b) Elephant
c) Snake
d) Lion
Option :A
There are 24 Tirthankaras in Jainism. The symbol of the first Tirthankara Rishabhdev was the bull, the symbol of the 23rd Tirthankar Parshvanath – the snake,the symbol of the 24th Tirthankara
Mahavir Swami was a lion.
Q10. In which state is the Jain temple of Dilwara located?
a) Rajasthan
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Karnataka
d) Bihar
Option :A
Mathura was the main center of Jainism during the Maurya period.
The famous Jain temple of Mount Abu Dilwara in Rajasthan is situated.
The Jain temples at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh were built by the Chandela rulers.
Imp Facts
- With the encouragement of Chamunda, the colossal
- Bahubali statue Koteshwar was built in the middle of the
- 10th century at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka.
- Jain literature is called- Agam
- The author of the Jain text ‘Kalpa Sutra’ is- Bhadrabahu
- In which language and script is the collection of Jain
literature – Prakrit and Ardhamagadhi.
Q11. Where did the first association of Jainism take place?
a) Patliputra
b) Rajgir
c) Pawapuri
d) Dilwara
Option :A
The second Jain association was held at Valabhi in Gujarat in 512 AD. It was presided over by Devarshi Kshemsaraman.
The first congregation was held at Pataliputra in 300 BC. It was presided over by Sthulabhadra.
Buddhism Related Questions
Q.1. Who was the founder of Buddhism?
a) Gautam Buddha
b) Shuddhodana
c) Mahavir Swami
d) Vardhaman
Option :A
- The founder of Buddhism was Gautam Buddha. He was born in 563 BC in a place called Lumbini in Kapilvastu.
Q2. What was the name of Gautam Buddha’s father?
a) Rahul
b) Shuddhodana
c) Mahavir Swami
d) Vardhaman
Option :B
His wife’s name was Yashodhara and son was Rahul.
Gautam Budh’s father’s name was Shuddhodhana and his mother’s name was Mayadevi. After the death of his mother, he was brought up by his stepmother Prajapati Gautami.
Q3. Which is called the Light of Asia?
a) Gautam Buddha
b) Shuddhodana
c) Mahavir Swami
d) Vardhaman
Option :A
The Light of Asia is called Gautam Buddha.
His childhood name was Siddhartha.
Q4. Who was the first Guru of Mahatma Buddha?
a) Anand
b) Rudrak
c) Alarkalam
d) Ajatashatru
Option :C
The first guru of Mahatma Buddha was MAlara Kalam, he taught Sakhya philosophy to Mahatma Buddha.
Q5. Where did Mahatma Buddha attain enlightenment?
a) Sarnath
b) Shravasti
c) Bodhgaya
d) Kushinagar
Option :C
Home renunciation in 29 years which is called in Buddhism (Mahabhinishkraman). And at the age of 35, Mahatma Buddha attained enlightenment at the place Bodhgaya (Bihar) under a Peepal tree, on the banks of the Niranjana River. Siddhartha came to be known as Buddha after attaining enlightenment.
Q6. Where did Mahatma Buddha give his first sermon?
a) Sarnath
b) Shravasti
c) Bodhgaya
d) Kushinagar
Option :A
Mahatma Buddha gave his first sermon in Pali language at Sarnath. This is called (Dhammachakra turning). Most of the sermons were given in Shravasti.
Q7. Which is not included in the three jewels of Buddhism?
a) Buddha
b) Sangha
c) Dhamma
d) Darshan
Option 😀
The Three Jewels of Buddhism – Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
Q8. Where did Lord Buddha attain salvation (Mahaparinirvana)?
a) Sarnath
b) Shravasti
c) Bodhgaya
d) Kushinagar
Option 😀
Lord Buddha attained salvation (Mahaparinirvana) in 483 BC at the age of 80.
Q9. To which religion is the Tripitaka scripture related?
a) Hindu
b) Jain
c) Parsi
d) Buddhist
Option 😀
Tripitaka –
- Abhidhammapitaka
- Vinaya Pitaka
- Sutrapitaka
Q10. Where did the first Buddhist council take place?
a) Kashmir
b) Rajgriha
c) Patliputra
d) Vaishali
Option :B
The first Buddhist council was held at Rajgir in 483 BC during the reign of Ajatashatru. Its president was Mahakashyap.
Q11. Where did the Second Buddhist Council take place?
a) Kashmir
b) Rajgriha
c) Patliputra
d) Vaishali
Option 😀
The second Buddhist council was held in Vaishali in 383 BC at the time of Kalashoka. Its president was Sabbakami.
Q12. Where did the Third Buddhist Council take place?
a) Kashmir
b) Rajgriha
c) Patliputra
d) Vaishali
Option :C
The third Buddhist council was organized in 255 BC. It was in Pataliputra during the reign of Emperor Ashoka.
Q13. Where did the Fourth Buddhist Council take place?
a) Kashmir
b) Rajgriha
c) Patliputra
d) Vaishali
Option :A
The Fourth Buddhist Council, considered the last Buddhist
council, was held during the reign of the Kushan emperor Kanishka (circa 120–144 AD). This Council was organized in ‘Kundalvan’ of Kashmir. Vasumitra was the president of this council and the vice-president was Asvaghosha.
Important One Liners Related to Buddhism
After the Fourth Buddhist Council, Buddhism split into
Hinayana and Mahayana.
- The center of Buddhist learning was – Vikramshila
- Which ruler had established the famous Vikramshila
University for Buddhists – Dharmapala - Where is the largest Buddhist stupa located in India – Sanchi
(M. P.) Buit by Ashoka. - Whose book is ‘Jataka’ – Buddhist
Symbols of Buddhism related to the life of Buddha
- Birth – Lotus and Bull
- Home Renunciation – Horse
- Knowledge – Peepal (Bodhi Tree)
- First sermon – Chakra
- Nirvana – Foot Print
- Death – Stupa
Question for You
Where did Gautam Buddha attain enlightenment?
a) Sarnath
b) Shravasti
c) Bodhgaya
d) Kushinagar
Also Read: Books & Author 2024 Current Affairs General Knowledge Questions
You may also like to read this: Nobel Prize 2024: Important MCQs for Competitive Exams.
In The End
Jainism and Buddhism are two of the oldest religions in India, inspiring all humanity with timeless principles of non-violence, self-discipline, and enlightenment. Their teachings have profoundly affected the cultural, spiritual, and philosophical fabric of India and other nations. It reveals to a person a wonderful life that is in complete harmony and purposeful living.
For students aiming to face competitive exams, Jainism and Buddhism are extremely important to learn in the history and general knowledge portion. It becomes a fundamental part of their exam preparation through core philosophies and main historical landmarks.
This collection of MCQs will provide a more focused approach toward understanding the religions better and mastering the questions related to them. It will allow you to understand the comprehensive guide with all confidence and strength your preparation for the exam while gaining clarity on important topics. Let the wisdom of Jainism and Buddhism empower you in your academic and personal journey.
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