Buddhism and Jainism: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)
3 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 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 2013Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q1. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
Explanation
In Buddhist architecture, a chaitya is a prayer hall or sanctuary, typically containing a stupa (a mound-like structure that houses relics of the Buddha). Chaityas were places of worship, where Buddhist communities gathered for prayers, rituals, and meditation. These structures often have a barrel-vaulted roof and a central nave leading to the stupa at the far end. A vihara is a monastic dwelling or residence for monks. It usually consists of a series of cells or rooms surrounding a central courtyard, where monks lived, meditated, and studied. Viharas were intended for residential purposes, as opposed to chaityas, which were for communal worship. They can be found in Ajanta Caves, Karle Caves, etc.
UPSC 2013Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q2. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
Explanation
Buddhist philosophy emphasizes the Four Noble Truths, which teach that suffering (dukkha) arises from craving (tanha) and that the cessation of suffering is possible through the Eightfold Path. In Buddhism, Nirvana is the ultimate goal of the spiritual path, and it refers to the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the end of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). It is achieved by extinguishing the "flame of desire". It is often described as the extinction of three fires- greed(raga), aversion(dwesha) and ignorance(moksha). When these flames are extinguished, the cycle of rebirth is skipped. Achieving Nirvana is the goal of the Buddhist path, attained through ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom.
UPSC 2013Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q3. Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? 1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance. 2. Every object, even the smallest particle, has a soul. 3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
In Jainism, penance (tapas) is a key practice to purify the soul and annihilate karma. Through austerities, self-discipline, and spiritual practices, Jains believe one can reduce and eventually destroy karmic influences. Jainism teaches that all living beings, as well as non-living objects, possess a form of soul (jiva). This worldview leads to Jains’ strong commitment to ahimsa (non-violence), as every soul, whether human, animal, plant or even minute organisms, is considered sacred. Karma is considered the bane of the soul and must be ended to achieve liberation. Karma is viewed as a powerful force that binds the soul (jiva) to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). The ultimate goal is to achieve liberation (moksha) by ending the influence of karma through right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2013
(b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks.
2
2013
(a) The extinction of the flame of desire
3
2013
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Buddhism and Jainism?
This page covers 3 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.
