Mastering Parajumbles: Tips, Tricks, and Examples for Competitive Exams

Buddhism is a crucial topic for various Indian competitive exams like SSC, UPSC, RRB, and Banking. Understanding Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), is essential for these exams, where questions on Buddha’s life, teachings, and history often appear.

This guide covers the essential teachings, historical facts, important events, and significant Buddhist concepts, along with most important MCQs for SSC and RRB exams preparation.

Gautama Buddha: Life and Key Events

• Birth: Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 BC in Lumbiniin Sakya Kshatriya clan. His father, Suddhodana, was the ruler of Kapilvastu. His mother, Mahamaya, passed away shortly after his birth, and he was raised by his stepmother, Gautami.

• Marriage and Family: He married Yashodhara, and they had a son named Rahul.

• The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana): At age 29, Siddhartha left his royal life after witnessing the suffering of old age, illness, and death, along with the peaceful life of an ascetic.

• Enlightenment (Nirvana): At age 35, Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya.

• First Sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana): He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, introducing the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path to his five disciples.

• Death (Mahaparinirvana): Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in Kusinagar in 483 BC.

Major Life Symbols

Event	Symbol
Birth (Janma)	Lotus and Bull
Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana)	Horse
Enlightenment (Nirvana)	Bodhi Tree
First Sermon(Dharmachakra Pravartana)	Wheel (Dharmachakra)
Death (Mahaparinirvana)	Stupa

The Teachings of Buddha

a. Four Noble Truths (Arya Satyas)

#	Arya Satyas	Meaning
1	Sabbam Dukkam	Life is full of suffering
2	Dwadash Nidan / Pratitya Samutpada	Suffering is caused by desire
3	Nirvana	Suffering can end by overcoming desires
4	Ashtangika Marga	To end suffering, follow the Eight-Fold Path

The Second Truth is based on Pratitya Samutpada, or the law of dependent origination, meaning that everything is interconnected and dependent on causes.

b. The Eight-Fold Path (Ashtangika Marga)

The Eight-Fold Path guides ethical living, wisdom, and mental discipline:

1. Right Understanding
2. Right Thought
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Meditation

c. The Three Jewels (Triratnas)

1. Buddha (The Enlightened One)
2. Dhamma (The Doctrine)
3. Sangha (The Community of Monks)

d. Code of Conduct

Buddhism emphasizes ethical behavior:

• Do not covet others’ property
• Avoid violence
• Refrain from intoxicants
• Speak truthfully
• Avoid corruption

e. Nirvana

Nirvana, also known as Moksha or salvation, is the ultimate goal in Buddhism. It is the state of complete freedom from suffering, the end of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Achieving Nirvana means attaining perfect peace, happiness, and liberation.

f. The Middle Path

Buddha taught that the path to enlightenment is not through extremes, but through balance. The Middle Path (also called Madhya Marga or Madhayama Pratipada) avoids both the luxurious lifestyle and the extreme asceticism of self-denial.

Buddhist Sangha: It consisted of monks (Bhikshus or Shramanas) and nuns, who acted as a torch bearer of the dhamma. The worshippers were called Upasakas.

Sects of Buddhism

Sect	Key Beliefs & Features	Subsects
Hinayana (The Lesser Vehicle)	- Focus on the original teachings of Buddha. - Salvation through self-discipline and meditation. - No idol worship. - Favored Pali language. - Founder(s): Based on the early teachings of Buddha.	Vaibhasika, Sautantrika
Mahayana (The Greater Vehicle)	- Belief in Buddha’s divinity. - Salvation with the help of Bodhisattvas. - Idol worship. - Favored Sanskrit language. - Founder(s): Nagarjuna (for Madhyamika subsect), Maitreyanath (for Vijnanavada subsect).	Madhyamika, Vijnanavada
Vajrayana	- Salvation through acquiring magical powers (Vajra). - Chief divinity: Tara. - Founder(s): No single founder; developed from Mahayana teachings.	N/A

Important Points to Remember from Buddhism

Buddhist Councils

Buddhist Councils were held to preserve and codify Buddha’s teachings. Key councils include:

Note: On mobile devices, you can scroll the table sideways to view the complete information.

Council	Date	Location	King Dynasty	Key Developments
First	483 BC	Rajgriha	Ajatshatru (Haryanka Dynasty)	Compilation of Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka
Second	383 BC	Vaishali	Kalasoka (Shisunaga Dynasty)	Split into Sthaviravadins and Maha Sanghikas
Third	250 BC	Patliputra	Ashoka (Maurya Dynasty)	Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka
Fourth	AD 72	Kashmir	Kanishka (Kushan Dynasty)	Division into Hinayana and Mahayana

Buddhist Literature

Buddhist literature, mostly written in Pali and Sanskrit, includes:

• Tripitakas: The three main sections—Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
• Milindapanho: Dialogue between Milinda (Indo-Greek king) and Nagasena (Buddhist sage).
• Buddhacharita and Saundarananda by Ashvagosa.
• Mahavibhasha by Vasumitra.

Some Famous Buddhist Scholars

Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Buddraghosha, Dinnaga and Dharmakirti.

Bodhisattvas

• Vajrapani (holds thunderbolt).
• Avlokitesvara/Padmapani (lotus bearer).
• Manjushri (holds books describing 10 paramitas).
• Kshitigrha (guardian of purgatories).
• Maitreya (the future Buddha).
• Amitabha/Amitayusha (The Buddha of heaven).

Spread of Buddhism

Buddhism spread across Asia:

• Mahayanism reached China, Central Asia, and Japan.
• Hinayanism spread in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Southeast Asia.
• King Ashoka sent Buddhist missions to Sri Lanka, and Kanishka promoted Mahayana Buddhism.

Buddhist Architecture

Buddhism contributed to:

• Stupas, Chaityas, and Viharas (places of worship and residence).
• Stone Pillars: E.g., Ashoka Pillars at Sanchi and Bodh Gaya.
• Cave Architecture: Found in Barabar Hills and Western India.
• Gandhara Art: Beautiful Buddha statues and sculptures.

Buddhist Universities

Buddhist Universities	Location	Founder
Nalanda	Badagaon, Bihar	Kumargupta-I
Vikramshila	Bhagalpur, Bihar	Dharmapala (Pala ruler)
Somapuri	North Bengal	Dharmapala (Pala ruler)
Jagadal	Bengal	Ramapala (Pala ruler)
Odantpuri	Bihar Sharif, Bihar	Gopala (Pala ruler)
Vallabhi	Gujarat	Bhattarka (Maitrak rule)

Most Important MCQs from Buddhism:

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Q1: In which of the following countries were Buddha's idols disfigured and removed a few years back?

A. Pakistan

B. Turkey

C. Afghanistan

D. Iran

In 2001, the Taliban in Afghanistan destroyed the ancient Buddha statues of Bamiyan, which were significant cultural and religious artifacts.

Q2: Among the following who was the personal physician of Gautam Buddha?

A. Sushruta

B. Charak

C. Jeevaka

D. Nagarjuna

Jeevaka, also known as Jivaka, was the personal physician of Gautam Buddha and is renowned in Buddhist literature for his medical skills. Jivaka was also the physician to King Bimbisara who was a follower of Gautama Buddha.

Q3: Where did Buddha attain Parinirvana?

A. Bodh Gaya

B. Kushinagara

C. Rajgriha

D. Vaishali

Kushinagara is the place where Gautam Buddha attained Parinirvana, or the final nirvana upon the death of the body.

Q4: In which country is the statue of 'Leshan Giant Buddha' located?

A. Thailand

B. China

C. Japan

D. Indonesia

The Leshan Giant Buddha is located in Sichuan province, China, and is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world.

Q5: In which State is the Buddhist site Tabo Monastery located?

A. Arunachal Pradesh

B. Sikkim

C. Uttarakhand

D. Himachal Pradesh

Tabo Monastery, located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist monasteries in India.

Q6: Who was the teacher of Gautama Buddha?

A. Panini

B. Alara Kalama

C. Kapila

D. Patanjali

Alara Kalama was one of the teachers of Gautama Buddha before his enlightenment. Buddha studied under him and mastered his teachings before moving on.

Q7: Which country has the highest number of Buddhists in the world?

A. India

B. Japan

C. China

D. Indonesia

China has the largest Buddhist population in the world, with a significant number of practitioners and numerous Buddhist temples and sites.

Q8: The Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as 'Turning of the wheel of law' at?

A. Sanchi

B. Sarnath

C. Sravasti

D. Bodh Gaya

Sarnath is where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or 'Turning of the Wheel of Law,' to his first five disciples.

Q9: The monk who influenced Ashoka to embrace Buddhism was

A. Vishnu Gupta

B. Upa Gupta

C. Brahma Gupta

D. Brihadratha

Upagupta was a Buddhist monk who played a significant role in converting Emperor Ashoka to Buddhism after the Kalinga War.

Q10: In which language were Buddhist literatures written?

A. Sanskrit

B. Prakrit

C. Hindi

D. Pali

Many early Buddhist texts, including the Tripitaka, were written in the Pali language, which is closely related to the language spoken by the Buddha.

Q11: In Buddhism, what does Patimokkha stand for?

A. A description of Mahayana

B. A description of Hinayana

C. The rules of the Sangha

D. The questions of King Menander

Patimokkha refers to the rules of conduct for Buddhist monks and nuns, outlining the ethical guidelines and disciplinary codes for the Sangha.

Q12: At which of the following places is the Dhamekh Stupa located?

A. Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh

B. Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

C. Gangtok, Sikkim

D. Gaya, Bihar

The Dhamekh Stupa is located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, and marks the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon.

Q13: Mention the place where Buddha attained enlightenment

A. Sarnath

B. Bodhgaya

C. Kapilvastu

D. Rajgriha

Bodhgaya is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

Q14: During whose reign was the third Buddhist Council held?

A. Ashoka

B. Kanishka

C. Harsha

D. Samudragupta

The Third Buddhist Council was held during the reign of Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty in 250 BC at Pataliputra. The Third Buddhist Council was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.

Q15: The largest Buddhist temple in the world is located in

A. India

B. Indonesia

C. Japan

D. China

The Borobudur Temple in Indonesia is the largest Buddhist temple in the world.

Q16: Vaishak Purnima or Buddha Purnima is celebrated every year to mark which of the following events of Buddha's life?

A. Birth

B. Nirvana (Enlightenment)

C. Parinirvana (Death)

D. All of the above

Vaishak Purnima or Buddha Purnima celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death (Parinirvana) of Gautam Buddha.

Q17: Where is Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha located?

A. Nepal

B. Bihar

C. Bhutan

D. Sikkim

Lumbini, located in Nepal, is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

Q18: What are the places which contain the relics of Buddha known as?

A. Viharas

B. Pitakas

C. Stupas

D. Chaityas

Stupas are dome-shaped structures that preserve the relics of Buddhist monks and Lord Buddha.

Q19: Which of the following contain Buddhist teachings?

A. Chaityas

B. Jatakas

C. Purvas

D. Tripitakas

The Tripitakas, or Three Baskets, contain the teachings of the Buddha, including the Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Q20: Which state in India has the largest number of Buddhists?

A. Himachal Pradesh

B. Jammu and Kashmir

C. Maharashtra

D. Bihar

Maharashtra has the largest Buddhist population in India, largely due to the influence of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism.

Q21: Buddha Vihars were used for

A. Education

B. Residence of Budha Bhikshus

C. Religious expansion

D. All of these

Buddha Vihars served multiple purposes, including education, residence for monks, and the expansion of Buddhist teachings.

Q22: The earliest Buddhist literature which deal with the stories of the various births of Buddha are

A. Venaya pitakas

B. Sutta pitakas

C. Abhidhamma pitakas

D. Jatakas

The Jatakas are a collection of stories about the previous births of the Buddha and are among the earliest Buddhist literature.

Q23: Mahayan sect of Buddhism emerged during the reign of:

A. Ashoka

B. Kanishka

C. Samudra Gupta

D. Harsha

The Mahayana sect of Buddhism emerged and flourished during the reign of Emperor Kanishka in the Kushan Empire.

Q24: Who among the following was contemporary of Gautam Buddha?

A. Nagarjuna

B. Kanishka

C. Kautilya

D. Mahavir

Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, was a contemporary of Gautam Buddha, and both were influential religious figures of their time.

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Understanding the core aspects of Buddhism—from its origins with Gautama Buddha to its spread across Asia—will help you ace competitive exams like SSC, RRB, and UPSC. Focus on the Four Noble Truths, Eight-Fold Path, and Buddhist Councils for scoring high marks!