Buddhism and Jainism: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)

Explanation

A Bodhisattva in Buddhism is an enlightened being who, out of compassion, chooses to remain in the cycle of birth and death (samsara) to help all sentient beings attain liberation. The Bodhisattva path emphasizes the cultivation of perfections (paramitas) like generosity, wisdom, and patience to achieve Buddhahood. According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a Bodhisattva who will appear on earth in future, attain enlightenment and teach pure dharma. He will be the future Buddha. Avalokiteshvara (The Lord Who Looks Down), also called Padmapani (The Lotus-Bearer) and Lokesvara in Sanskrit (The Lord of the World) is believed to hear the cries of suffering beings and assist in their liberation, offering help and comfort. The Bodhisattva is often depicted with multiple arms, symbolizing the ability to reach out and help countless beings simultaneously.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Buddhism.

Statement 2 is correct: Sarvastivadin considers everything empirical to be impermanent, they maintain that the dharma factors are eternally existing realities. Sarvastivadin:

Believes in the eternal existence of dharma factors Affirms the presence of past, present, and future Criticized by Sautrantikas for violating the Buddhist idea of impermanence. Sautrantika:

Descended from the Sarvastivadins Relies on sutras rather than Abhidharma commentaries Adheres to extreme momentariness, believing only the current moment exists Criticizes Sarvastivadin’s belief in the existence of past, present, and future phenomena Sammitiya and other sub-schools:

Branches off from Vatsiputriya, a parent school Well-known in Gujarat and Sindh during the Maitraka dynasty Split into two sub-schools: Avantakas and Kurukulas

Explanation

In Mahayana Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is a being who has attained enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of birth and death (samsara) out of compassion for all sentient beings. They vow to help others achieve enlightenment before fully entering Nirvana themselves.

Statement 1 is incorrect: A Bodhisattva is literally a living being(Sattva) who aspires to attain enlightenment(Bodhi). The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.

Statement 2 is correct: Compassion, an empathetic sharing of the sufferings of others, is Bodhisattva’s greatest characteristic.

Statement 3 is correct: Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help others on the same path. It is held that the Bodhisattva makes four vows expressing a determination to work for the happiness of others

Explanation

Kosala was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas (Great Kingdoms) during Buddha’s time. Buddha was born in Lumbini which was under the rule of the Kosala kingdom at that time. His father, King Suddhodana was the leader of the Shakya clan which a vassal state under Kosala. King Prasenajit (Pasenadi) of Kosala was a major contemporary of Buddha and a patron of Buddhism. Magadha was the most powerful Mahajanapada during Buddha’s lifetime. Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, which was in Magadha. King Bimbisara of Magadha was one of Buddha’s earliest royal patrons and donated the Venuvana monastery in Rajgir.

Explanation

Monasteries in Buddhism serve as centers of spiritual practice, meditation, and learning, preserving Buddhist teachings and traditions. They also foster community life and support the monastic community in pursuing enlightenment.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Tabo Monastery is located in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh known for its ancient murals and manuscripts.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Lhotsava Lhakhang temple is in Nako village in the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh. Zanskar Valley is in the Kargil district of Ladakh. It has been identified as one of the hundred most endangered heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Alchi temple complex is situated in Alchi village of Leh district, Ladakh. It was associated with Guru Rinchen Zangpo around the 10th century.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.