Buddhism and Jainism: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Buddhism and Jainism (Art and Culture). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2012Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q1. With reference to the history of Ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to the authority of Vedas 3. Denial of the efficacy of rituals Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Middle Path (Madhyamaka Marga) was a core teaching of Gautama Buddha. He rejected extreme asceticism as well as indulgence in sensual pleasures. Jainism of Mahavira advocated extreme asceticism, including rigorous penance, fasting, and self-mortification.
Statement 2 is Correct: Both Buddhism and Jainism did not accept the Vedas as supreme authority. They rejected the idea that Brahmins had a monopoly on religious knowledge. Buddha and Mahavira promoted rationalism, self-experience, and ethical conduct over scriptural authority.
Statement 3 is Correct: Both religions rejected the efficacy of Vedic rituals and sacrifices and instead emphasized the importance of moral conduct, meditation, and self-discipline. They believed that liberation (nirvana in Buddhism, moksha in Jainism) could not be achieved through rituals but only through personal effort and spiritual practice.
UPSC 2012Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q2. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called "Bhumisparsha mudra". It symbolizes:
Explanation
Mudras in Buddhist iconography are symbolic hand gestures that convey specific spiritual meanings. For example, the Dharmachakra Mudra represents the teaching of the Dharma, while the Bhumisparsha Mudra symbolizes the Buddha’s moment of enlightenment.
Option (b) is correct: The"Bhumisparsha Mudra" hand gesture shown in Lord Buddha’s image symbolizes his calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara. It means ‘touching the earth’ in Sanskrit. This mudra, formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha’s enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Vasundhara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2012
(b) 2 and 3 only
2
2012
(b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Buddhism and Jainism?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Buddhism and Jainism (Art and Culture), asked from 1996 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Buddhism and Jainism?
Questions on Buddhism and Jainism (Art and Culture) are available for 20 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
