Microtheme: BuddhismXPhilosophy —
11 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2026] What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?
   • (a) The meditation of the Buddha
   • (b) The Buddha's First Sermon
   • (c) The Buddha's Mahaparinibbana
   • (d) The Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana
   Correct Answer: (A) The meditation of the Buddha
2. [2024] With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?
   1. Nayaputta
   2. Shakyamuni
   3. Tathagata
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only*
   • (c) 1, 2 and 3
   • (d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only*
3. [2020] 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?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 1 and 3 only
   • (c) 2 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
4. [2020] With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct
   description of the term ‘paramitas’?
   • (a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutrstyle
   • (b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
   • (c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
   • (d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India
   Correct Answer: (C) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
5. [2020] With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
   (1) Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
   (2) Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
   (3) The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
6. [2019] Consider the following:
   1. Deification of the Buddha
   2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
   3. Image worship and rituals
   Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 1 and 2 only
   • (c) 2 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
7. [2018] With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?
   • (a) Avalokiteshvara
   • (b) Lokesvara
   • (c) Maitreya
   • (d) Padmapani
   Correct Answer: (C) Maitreya
8. [2016] 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 own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 2 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
9. [2013] 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
   Correct Answer: (A) The extinction of the flame of desire
10. [2012] 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 this life is transitory.
    • (d) Both (a) and (b) are correct in this context
    Correct Answer: (B) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
11. [2010] 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 of 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) 1 only
    • (b) 1 and 3 only
    • (c) 2 and 3 only
    • (d) 1,2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (A) 1 only