Practice 62 Religious Movements (Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivakas) multiple-choice questions with detailed answers and explanations. Ideal for RAS/RPSC exam preparation.
Q1. The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under whose patronage?
Explanation
The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra around 250 BCE under Emperor Ashoka's patronage, presided by Moggaliputta Tissa. The Abhidhamma Pitaka was compiled, completing the Tripitaka. Buddhist missionaries were sent to various regions.
Q2. The split of Jainism into Svetambara and Digambara sects is traditionally associated with which event?
Explanation
Tradition holds that during a 12-year famine, Bhadrabahu led monks to south India. Those who stayed in Magadha under Sthulabhadra relaxed rules (Svetambara). The southerners maintained strict nudity (Digambara).
Q3. Consider the following: 1. Parsvanatha — 23rd Tirthankara 2. Symbol of Mahavira — Lion 3. Mahavira's birth name — Vardhamana 4. Mahavira was born in a Kshatriya clan Which are correct?
Explanation
All are correct. Parsvanatha (symbol: snake) was the 23rd Tirthankara, 250 years before Mahavira. Mahavira (24th Tirthankara, symbol: lion) was born as Vardhamana in the Jnatrika clan (Kshatriya) at Kundagram (Vaishali). His father was Siddhartha and mother Trishala.
Q4. The sixteen Mahajanapadas are listed in which Buddhist text?
Explanation
The Anguttara Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka lists the sixteen Mahajanapadas: Anga, Magadha, Kashi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara, and Kamboja. Magadha eventually emerged as the most powerful.
Q5. Jainism split into Digambara and Svetambara sects at:
Explanation
The schism occurred during a 12-year famine when Bhadrabahu led monks south while Sthulabhadra stayed at Pataliputra. When they reunited, disagreements arose. Digambara ('sky-clad'/naked) maintained that monks should wear no clothes and women cannot attain moksha without being reborn as men. Svetambara ('white-clad') monks wear white clothes and believe women can attain moksha. The Valabhi Council (5th century CE) compiled the Svetambara canon.
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Q6. The Pashupata sect is associated with the worship of:
Q7. Lord Mahavira was the _____ Tirthankara of Jainism.
Q8. The First Buddhist Council was held at:
Q9. The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali under which ruler?
Q10. The Fourth Buddhist Council, during which Buddhism split into Mahayana and Hinayana sects, was held under the patronage of:
Q11. The core Buddhist philosophy of 'Pratityasamutpada' refers to:
Q12. Which of the following is NOT part of the Buddhist 'Noble Eightfold Path'?
Q13. The Eightfold Path (Ashtangika Marga) in Buddhism includes Right Livelihood. Under which category does it fall?
Q14. The Buddhist canonical texts are collectively known as the Tripitaka. Which Pitaka contains the rules of monastic discipline?
Q15. Which of the following is NOT one of the Pancha Mahavratas (Five Great Vows) of Jainism?
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