11. Which of the following forms of Buddhism emphasizes rituals and magical practices, diverging from the original ethical teachings of Buddhism?
[A] Hinayana Buddhism
[B] Mahayana Buddhism
[C] Vajrayana Buddhism
[D] Theravada Buddhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vajrayana Buddhism]
Notes:
Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as the “Vehicle of the Thunderbolt,” incorporates elements of ritual and magic, which marks a departure from the original ethical teachings of Buddhism. This form of Buddhism emerged as a response to the evolving religious landscape, integrating Tantric ideas and practices. It emphasizes the use of mantras, mudras, and elaborate ceremonies, which can obscure the fundamental ethical principles laid out in earlier Buddhist teachings. The association with magical cults and the veneration of figures like the Taras further illustrate this shift, showcasing how religious practices evolved over time.
12. Consider the following pairs:
| Rashtrakutas | Dynasty known for its cultural and political influence in the Deccan region |
| Pala Empire | Patrons of Buddhism and contributors to education |
| Sailendra Dynasty | Rulers of Java and Sumatra with close ties to the Pala kings |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three pairs]
Notes:- Rashtrakutas: This dynasty was indeed known for its cultural and political influence in the Deccan region, particularly during the 8th to 10th centuries.
- Pala Empire: The Pala kings were patrons of Buddhism and contributed greatly to educational institutions like Nalanda, making this pair correct.
- Sailendra Dynasty: The Sailendra dynasty ruled over Java and Sumatra and maintained close diplomatic and trade relations with the Pala kings, confirming the accuracy of this pair.
Thus, all three pairs are correct.
13. In Context with the Satavahana Dynasty, consider the following statements:
- The Satavahana Dynasty promoted Buddhism and established important Buddhist centers.
- The coins issued by the Satavahana kings featured bilingual legends in Prakrit and a South Indian language.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- Promotion of Buddhism (Correct): The Satavahana Dynasty played a role in promoting Buddhism in India, establishing important centers such as Nagarjunkonda and Amaravati during their reign.
- Bilingual coin legends (Correct): The coins minted by the Satavahana kings featured bilingual legends, with inscriptions in Prakrit and some South Indian languages, reflecting their diverse cultural influences.
14. With reference to the Indo-Greeks, consider the following statements:
- Menander was a notable Indo-Greek king who embraced Buddhism.
- Euthydemus was the first Indo-Greek ruler to proclaim independence in Bactria.
- Indo-Greek coins were the first in Indian history to feature portraits of kings.
- Demetrius expanded the Indo-Greek territory into South India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Menander was a notable Indo-Greek king who embraced Buddhism: This is correct. Menander’s conversion to Buddhism is well-documented through his dialogues with Nagasena.
- Euthydemus was the first Indo-Greek ruler to proclaim independence in Bactria: This is correct. Diodotus, his predecessor, was the first to declare independence.
- Indo-Greek coins were the first in Indian history to feature portraits of kings: This is correct. They marked an innovation in coinage.
- Demetrius expanded the Indo-Greek territory into South India: This is incorrect. Demetrius’s territory primarily included regions in the northwest, not South India.
Thus, two of the statements are correct. The correct answer is (b) Only two.
15. Consider the following philosophers associated with different traditions in Buddhism:
- Ratnakirti – Yogācāra School
- Dignaga – Mādhyamaka School
- Vasubandhu – Yogācāra School
- Dharmakīrti – Mādhyamaka School
Which of the above is/are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 3 & 4
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] 2 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
Ratnakīrti is associated with the Yogācāra school, and Dignaga with the Mādhyamaka school, making option A correct. Ratnakīrti focused on epistemological issues within Yogācāra, while Dignaga established foundational concepts in Buddhist logic and epistemology central to Mādhyamaka. However, Vasubandhu is primarily linked to the Yogācāra school, and Dharmakīrti is more closely associated with Yogācāra than Mādhyamaka. Therefore, the only correct match is option A with Ratnakīrti and Dignaga.
16. Consider the following statements:
- The concept of “Samsara” refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Moksha represents the ultimate goal of life in both Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Nirvana is synonymous with Moksha in the context of Buddhist philosophy.
Which of the above is/are correct statements?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] 1, 2, and 3
[D] Only 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
The concept of “Samsara” indeed denotes the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in both Hinduism and Buddhism, emphasizing the transient nature of life. “Moksha,” while a significant goal in Hinduism representing liberation from this cycle, is not a defining aim in Buddhism, which focuses on “Nirvana.” Although Nirvana is often described as the cessation of suffering and analogous to Moksha, the two differ in context and connotation. Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect in its generalization across both religions.
17. Consider the following statements:
- Both Asaṅga and Vasubandhu were proponents of Yogacara tradition.
- Both Yogacara and Madhyamaka are significant traditions of Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Asaṅga and Vasubandhu are fundamental figures of the Yogācāra school, a significant branch of Mahayana Buddhism. In contrast, the Madhyamaka school, separate from Yogācāra, emphasizes ’emptiness’ (śūnyatā) and critiques inherent existence. Both statements accurately depict key teachings distinguishing these influential Buddhist traditions, so both 1 and 2 are correct.
18. Which of the following philosophical traditions emerged in ancient India during the same period as Jainism and Buddhism?
[A] Advaita Vedanta
[B] Charvaka
[C] Nyaya
[D] Samkhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Charvaka]
Notes:
Charvaka, also known as Lokāyata, is an ancient Indian materialist philosophy that emerged during the Hindu reformation period, around the same time as Jainism and Buddhism. It emphasizes direct perception and skepticism. Jainism, founded by Mahavira, and Buddhism, founded by Gautama Buddha, both arose in the 1st millennium BCE, making Charvaka a contemporary philosophical tradition. In contrast, Advaita Vedanta, Nyaya, and Samkhya developed later in Indian philosophical history.
19. Consider the following:
- Charvaka
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Ajñāna
Which of the following is the correct chronological order of the emergence of these philosophical schools from earliest to latest?
[A] 1 2 3 4
[B] 4 1 3 2
[C] 1 4 3 2
[D] 2 3 1 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 4 3 2]
Notes:
The Charvaka school, known for its materialist and atheistic views, emerged in the 6th century BCE. Following this, Ajñāna, a school of thought that also embraced skepticism and denial of certain philosophical claims, developed around the same period. Jainism, founded by Mahavira, emerged in the 6th century BCE as well, but it is widely recognized as having a more structured tradition that solidified slightly later. Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) around the 5th century BCE, is considered the most recent of the four. Thus, the correct order is: Charvaka (1), Ajñāna (4), Jainism (3), Buddhism (2).
20. With respect to Jain philosophy, which of the following observations is/are correct?
- Jains believe in the concept of anātman, similar to Buddhism.
- Jain philosophy synthesizes the views of both Vedānta and Buddhism through anekāntavāda.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- Jains do not believe in anātman (Incorrect): Unlike Buddhism, which posits the concept of anātman (no-self), Jainism upholds the existence of the soul (jiva) as eternal and unchanging.
- Jain philosophy synthesizes views (Correct): Jainism successfully integrates the perspectives of both Vedānta, which emphasizes substance, and Buddhism, which emphasizes process, through the doctrine of anekāntavāda, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of reality.
