UPSC CSE Prelims
Buddhism Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

In the early phase of Buddhist art, the Buddha was not shown in human form. Instead, different symbols were used to represent important events of his life.

• Empty Seat (Vajrasana/Bodhimanda) represents the Meditation of the Buddha and the place where he attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya.

• Wheel (Dharmachakra) represents the First Sermon at Sarnath.

• Stupa represents the Mahaparinibbana (final liberation).

• Riderless Horse represents the Mahabhinishkramana (Great Renunciation).

• Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path

The term 'paramitas' in Buddhist philosophy refers to the transcendent virtues or perfections that must be cultivated by Bodhisattvas on their path to enlightenment. In Mahayana Buddhism, these perfections typically include six virtues: generosity (dana), moral conduct (sila), patience (kshanti), diligence (virya), meditation (dhyana), and wisdom (prajna). The practice and perfection of these virtues enable Bodhisattvas to progress toward Buddhahood while helping others achieve liberation from suffering.

📝 Short Notes: Paramitas in Buddhism

• Paramitas (Perfections): Transcendent virtues practiced in Mahayana Buddhism to attain enlightenment and Bodhisattva status.
• Six Traditional Paramitas: (1) Dana (Generosity), (2) Sila (Moral Conduct/Ethics), (3) Kshanti (Patience/Forbearance), (4) Virya (Energy/Diligence), (5) Dhyana (Meditation/Concentration), (6) Prajna (Wisdom/Insight).
• Extended List: Some texts mention ten paramitas, adding Upaya (Skillful Means), Pranidhana (Vow/Resolution), Bala (Spiritual Power), and Jnana (Knowledge).
• Bodhisattva Path: A Bodhisattva is one who seeks enlightenment not just for themselves but to help all sentient beings; paramitas are essential practices on this path.
• Mahayana Tradition: The concept of paramitas is central to Mahayana Buddhism and distinguishes it from Theravada tradition in its emphasis on the Bodhisattva ideal.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only

This question tests knowledge of early Buddhist sectarian developments that led to the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism. The Mahasanghika sect played a crucial role in the evolution of Mahayana through its liberal doctrinal approach and deification of Buddha.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Sthaviravadins (Theravadins) belong to Theravada Buddhism, not Mahayana Buddhism. They represent the conservative orthodox school that emphasized strict adherence to monastic discipline and original teachings.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Lokottaravadin sect was indeed an offshoot of the Mahasanghika school. The term 'Lokottaravada' means 'transcendentalist doctrine,' believing that Buddha was supramundane (lokottara) and not bound by worldly laws.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Mahasanghikas' progressive views, including the deification and transcendental nature of Buddha, directly contributed to the doctrinal foundation of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasized the Bodhisattva ideal and multiple Buddhas.

📝 Short Notes: Early Buddhist Schools and Mahayana Development

• First Buddhist Council (483 BCE): Held at Rajagriha after Buddha's death; compiled teachings but seeds of disagreement emerged.
• Second Buddhist Council (383 BCE): Held at Vaishali; major split between Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas over monastic discipline.
• Lokottaravadins: Believed Buddha possessed infinite powers, infinite lifespan, and was never truly bound by physical limitations.
• Mahayana Evolution: Emerged around 1st century BCE-CE, building on Mahasanghika concepts of Buddha's transcendence, multiple Buddhas, and the Bodhisattva path.
• Theravada Today: Survives in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos as the only surviving school of early Buddhism.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 1 and 3 only

This question tests knowledge of ancient Indian religious and cultural terminology. Pair 1 and Pair 3 are correctly matched, while Pair 2 incorrectly describes Shramanas as high-status priests, whereas they were actually ascetic practitioners who rejected Brahmanical orthodoxy.

✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Parivrajaka literally means 'wanderer' and refers to renunciants who abandoned worldly life to travel and pursue spiritual knowledge.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: Shramana means 'one who strives' and refers to ascetic traditions (Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivika) that opposed the Vedic priestly hierarchy, not priests with high status.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Upasaka refers to lay followers of Buddhism who practiced the faith without joining the monastic Sangha.

📝 Short Notes: Ancient Indian Religious Terminology

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3

All three statements are defining features of Mahayana Buddhism, which emerged as a liberal and reform movement emphasizing universal salvation and compassionate Bodhisattvas.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Mahayana Buddhism deified the Buddha, portraying him as a transcendent, cosmic being with multiple manifestations, unlike Theravada's historical human Buddha.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Bodhisattva ideal is central to Mahayana, where enlightened beings postpone their own nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve liberation.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Mahayana introduced elaborate image worship, rituals, and devotional practices centered around Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, making Buddhism more accessible to lay followers.

📝 Short Notes: Mahayana vs Theravada Buddhism

Detailed Explanation:

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Avanti was ruled by King Pradyota, a contemporary of Buddha, but Buddha never personally visited Avanti; he sent his disciple Mahakaccana to preach there.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Gandhara was located in the far northwest (modern Pakistan-Afghanistan); Buddha's life and teachings were confined to the middle Gangetic plains, and he never traveled to Gandhara.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Kosala was central to Buddha's life; he spent significant time in its capital Shravasti, preaching at Jetavana monastery, and his birthplace Lumbini was in Kosalan territory.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Magadha was intimately associated with Buddha's life; he attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, frequently preached at Rajgir (capital), and received patronage from Kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.