1. Who was the founder of Jainism?
Option D
Jainism has no single founder. It is believed to be an eternal religion revived by Tirthankaras, with Rishabhanatha as the first and Mahavira as the 24th.
2. What is the sacred text of Buddhism?
Option C
The Tripitaka (Three Baskets) contains Buddhist teachings, including Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
3. Who attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree?
Option B
Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha.
4. What is the ultimate goal in Buddhism?
Option A
Nirvana means liberation from the cycle of birth and death and the end of suffering.
5. Which principle is central to Jainism?
Option C
Ahimsa (non-violence) is the most important teaching in Jainism, applied strictly in thought, word, and action.
6. What does the ‘Middle Path’ in Buddhism refer to?
Option B
Buddha advised avoiding both indulgence and severe asceticism, advocating a balanced path called the Middle Way.
7. Which language was primarily used for Buddhist texts?
Option C
Buddhist teachings were recorded in Pali, making them accessible to common people.
8. Who was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism?
Option A
Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara who reorganized Jain teachings.
9. What are the Four Noble Truths related to?
Option C
The Four Noble Truths explain the nature of suffering (dukkha) and the path to eliminate it.
10. Which concept in Jainism means ‘many-sided reality’?
Option B
Anekantavada means truth has multiple perspectives, promoting tolerance and understanding.
11. Which Jain Tirthankara is associated with the symbol of a snake?
Option C
Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, is symbolized by a serpent hood, often depicted protecting him.
12. What is ‘Triratna’ in Buddhism?
Option B
Triratna means the Three Jewels: Buddha (the teacher), Dhamma (the teachings), and Sangha (the community of monks).
13. Which council compiled the Buddhist scriptures for the first time?
Option A
The First Buddhist Council, held at Rajgriha after Buddha’s death, compiled his teachings into the Tripitaka.
14. What is ‘Sallekhana’ in Jainism?
Option D
Sallekhana is a Jain practice of voluntarily fasting to death to purify the soul and detach from the body.
15. Which Buddhist text contains stories of Buddha’s previous births?
Option C
Jataka Tales narrate the previous lives of Buddha, illustrating moral lessons and virtues.
16. What does ‘Syadvada’ in Jainism emphasize?
Option B
Syadvada means that truth is relative and can be understood from multiple conditional perspectives.
17. Which ruler patronized Buddhism and spread it widely?
Option C
Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War and spread it through missions and edicts.
18. What is the meaning of ‘Dukkha’ in Buddhism?
Option A
Dukkha refers to suffering or dissatisfaction, a central concept in the Four Noble Truths.
19. Which sect of Buddhism emphasizes the ideal of Bodhisattva?
Option C
Mahayana Buddhism promotes the Bodhisattva ideal, where one seeks enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
20. Which Jain text contains teachings of Mahavira?
Option B
The Agamas are the sacred Jain texts containing the teachings and doctrines of Mahavira.
21. Which concept in Buddhism explains the chain of cause and effect leading to suffering?
Option C
Pratityasamutpada (Dependent Origination) explains how suffering arises due to interconnected causes and conditions.
22. Which vow was added by Mahavira to the four existing vows of Jainism?
Option D
Mahavira added Brahmacharya (celibacy) to the four vows of Parshvanatha, making them five.
23. Which Buddhist council was held during the reign of Ashoka?
Option A
The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under Ashoka to purify the Sangha and spread Buddhism.
24. What is the Jain concept of ‘Jiva’?
Option A
In Jainism, Jiva refers to the living soul which is bound by karma and seeks liberation.
25. Which part of the Eightfold Path deals with ethical conduct?
Option C
Ethical conduct in Buddhism includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood.
26. Which philosophy of Jainism denies absolute statements and promotes relativity?
Option B
Anekantavada emphasizes that reality is complex and cannot be expressed in a single absolute statement.
27. Which Buddhist sect believes Buddha was a divine being?
Option C
Mahayana Buddhism considers Buddha as a divine figure and promotes worship and devotion.
28. Which term refers to the cycle of birth and rebirth in both Jainism and Buddhism?
Option A
Samsara is the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth governed by karma.
29. Which Jain sect allows wearing white clothes?
Option B
Svetambara monks wear white clothes, while Digambara monks practice complete renunciation including clothing.
30. What is ‘Nirjara’ in Jainism?
Option B
Nirjara refers to the process of removing accumulated karma from the soul through austerity and discipline.
31. Which concept in Buddhism rejects the idea of a permanent soul?
Option C
Anatta (no-self) is a core Buddhist doctrine which denies the existence of a permanent, unchanging soul.
32. Which Jain doctrine explains the inflow of karma into the soul?
Option B
Asrava refers to the influx of karmic particles into the soul due to actions and passions.
33. Which Buddhist council led to the division between Hinayana and Mahayana?
Option A
The Fourth Buddhist Council, particularly in Kashmir, is associated with doctrinal divisions leading to the emergence of Mahayana and Hinayana traditions.
34. What is ‘Samvara’ in Jainism?
Option A
Samvara means preventing new karma from entering the soul through self-discipline and control.
35. Which path in Buddhism focuses on mental discipline?
Option B
Samadhi represents mental discipline and includes practices like concentration and meditation.
36. Which Jain concept refers to the complete liberation of the soul?
Option B
Moksha in Jainism is the state where the soul is free from all karmic bonds and achieves eternal bliss.
37. Which doctrine explains the binding of karma to the soul in Jainism?
Option C
Bandha refers to the process by which karmic particles attach to the soul due to actions and passions.
38. Which part of the Eightfold Path is related to wisdom?
Option A
Wisdom (Prajna) includes Right View and Right Intention, forming the intellectual aspect of the path.
39. Which concept in Buddhism represents ignorance as the root cause of suffering?
Option B
Avidya (ignorance) is considered the fundamental cause of suffering in Buddhist philosophy.
40. Which practice in Jainism helps stop the accumulation of karma?
Option B
Samvara prevents new karmic matter from entering the soul through discipline and ethical conduct.
41. Which Jain philosophical concept combines Anekantavada and Syadvada into a logical framework?
Option D
Saptabhangi is the sevenfold predication system in Jain logic, derived from Anekantavada and Syadvada, explaining truth from multiple perspectives.
42. In Buddhist philosophy, what does ‘Skandhas’ refer to?
Option C
Skandhas are the five aggregates—form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness—that constitute human existence.
43. Which Buddhist doctrine explains momentariness of existence?
Option A
Kshanikavada states that all phenomena exist only for a moment and are constantly changing.
44. Which Jain concept refers to karmic bondage due to passions?
Option A
Bandha is the binding of karma to the soul caused by passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
45. Which concept in Buddhism emphasizes emptiness or voidness of all phenomena?
Option B
Shunyata, especially in Mahayana Buddhism, refers to the emptiness of inherent existence in all things.
46. Which Jain philosophical category represents non-living substances?
Option B
Ajiva refers to non-living entities like matter, space, time, and motion in Jain philosophy.
47. Which Buddhist school is associated with the philosophy of Nagarjuna?
Option C
Nagarjuna founded the Madhyamaka school, which emphasizes the doctrine of emptiness (Shunyata).
48. Which Jain doctrine explains the prevention of karmic influx through right conduct?
Option A
Samvara prevents new karma from entering the soul through ethical discipline and control over actions.
49. Which Buddhist concept refers to craving as the cause of suffering?
Option C
Tanha (craving or desire) is identified as the primary cause of suffering in the Second Noble Truth.
50. Which Jain practice involves gradual purification leading to liberation?
Option B
Nirjara refers to the gradual shedding of accumulated karma, essential for achieving liberation (Moksha).