Buddhism MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Buddhism - Download Free PDF

Last updated on May 28, 2025

The Buddhism topic is extremely important for all Indian competitive exams, including SSC, UPSC, PSC, railways, and banking. Buddhism is a religion that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama more than 2500 years ago in India. This type of question is asked by Buddhism, to match the following, Budha ideology, part of Buddhism. The king time period of Buddhism, sermons, Buddhist council, etc. We must carefully study the question before deciding which of the available options best describes the question the Buddhism. Once we've narrowed down our choice, we must cross that option out. We should also point out that we always prefer to use quality reference materials, such as the first NCERT book and the second RS Sharma, book, and give more and more test, and more to more revisions.

Latest Buddhism MCQ Objective Questions

Buddhism Question 1:

What is the another name of Gautama Buddha?

  1. Charvaka
  2. Mahavira
  3. Siddhartha
  4. Vikramaditya
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Siddhartha

Buddhism Question 1 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Siddhartha.Key Points

  • Gautama Buddha -
    • He was born in Lumbini, near Kapilvastu, the then capital of the Shakya Republic, which is in Nepal.
    • His mother's name was Mahamaya who was from the Kolia dynasty and his father was Kshatriya king Shuddhodana.
    • He was named Siddhartha.
    • Being born in Gautam gotra, he was also called Gautam.​

Additional Information

  • Charvaka Darshan -
    • It is an ancient Indian materialistic atheist philosophy.
    • It accepts only direct evidence and does not accept this theory of supernatural beings.
  • Buddha gave maximum teaching skills in his life in the capital of the country, Shravasti.
  • Mahatma Buddha gave his teachings in the Pali language.
  • His main followers were the rulers-
    1. Bimbsaar
    2. Prasenjit
    3. Udayan
  • Buddha died at the age of 80 at Kushinara after having a meal offered by Chunda. Which is called "Mahaparinirvana" in Buddhism.
  • The holiest festival of Buddhism is Vaishakh Purnima which is also known as Buddha Purnima.
  • Most of the Buddha statues were built under the Gandhara style.
  • The first statue of Buddha was made under Mathura art.

Vardhamana Mahavira.

  • Vardhamana Mahavira was the last and the 24th Tirthankara of Jainas.
  • Mahavira was born in 540 BC at Kundagram near Vaishali.
  • He left his home at 30 and wandered for 12 years.
  • In his 13th year of penance, Mahavira attained kaivalya  i.e., omniscience at Jrimbhikagrama in Eastern Uttar Pradesh at the age of 42.
  • He died at the age of 72 in 468 BC at Pavapuri near Rajgriha.
  • Followers of Mahavira are known as Jainas, who lead very simple lives, begging for food.

Buddhism Question 2:

Which of the following is one of the sacred books of Buddhism ?

  1. Torah
  2. The Avesta
  3. Kalpa Sutra
  4. Tripitaka
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Tripitaka

Buddhism Question 2 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Tripitaka.

Key Points

  • Tripiṭaka is the traditional term for the Buddhist scriptures. 
  • Tripitaka are of three types:
    • Vinay Pitaka rules of monastic discipline for monks.
    • Sutta Pitaka is a collection of Buddha's Sermon.
    • Abhidhamma Pitaka is the philosophies of Buddha's teachings.

Important Points

Buddhism

  • Founder of Buddhism: Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BC at Lumbinivana(Rummindehi district, Nepal) on Vaisakha Purnima day in Sakya Kshatriya clan.
  •  His father Suddhodhana and his mother Mahamaya.
  • After his mother's early death, he was brought up by stepmother Gautami.
  • He married at 16 to Yasodhara, enjoyed married life for 13 years, and had a son named Rahul.
  • At the age of 29, he enounced home, this was his Mahabhinishkramana (geat going forth, Symbol - horse), and became a wandering ascetic.
  • At the age of 35, under a pipal tree at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) on the banks of river Niranjana(modern name Flagu), he attained Nirvana (enlightenment, Symbol - Bodhi tree) after 49 days of continuous meditation. 
  • First Sermon at Sarnath to his five disciples known as Dharamachakra Pravartna (Symbol - 8 spoked wheel).
  • He died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh. This is known as Mahaparinirvana (Final Blowing out).

Additional Information

  • Torah is the first part of the Jewish bible. It is the central and most important document of Judaism and has been used by Jews through the ages.
  • The Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in Avestan language and written by Zarathustra.
  • Kalpa Sutra is a Jain text in Sanskrit containing the biographies of the Jain Tirthankaras, notably Parshvanatha and Mahavira.

Buddhism Question 3:

Which text among the following is considered as Buddha’s biography.

  1. Vinaya Pitaka
  2. Sutta Pitaka 
  3. Abhidhamma Pitaka
  4. Buddhacharita

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Buddhacharita

Buddhism Question 3 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Buddhacharita.

Key Points

  • Buddhacharita is a biographical poem composed by Ashvaghosha, an ancient Indian poet and philosopher.
  • It is one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha.
  • The poem was written in classical Sanskrit and portrays Buddha's life, from his birth to his enlightenment and beyond.
  • Buddhacharita is considered a significant literary and religious work in Buddhism and Indian history.

Additional Information

  • Vinaya Pitaka: This is one of the three divisions of the Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures) and focuses on monastic discipline and rules for monks and nuns.
  • Sutta Pitaka: This is another section of the Tripitaka, which contains the teachings of Buddha in the form of discourses and sermons delivered to his followers.
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka: This is the third section of the Tripitaka, which includes detailed philosophical and doctrinal analysis of the teachings of Buddha.

Buddhism Question 4:

Vinaya Pitaka is a book related to:

  1. Sanskrit Grammar
  2. Preachings of Mahavira
  3. Thoughts of Zoroaster
  4. Rules of the Buddhist Sangha
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Rules of the Buddhist Sangha

Buddhism Question 4 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is the Rules of the Buddhist Sangha.

  • The Buddha (and other teachers) taught orally – through discussion and debate.
  • Men and women (perhaps children as well) attended these discourses and discussed what they heard.
  • None of the Buddha’s speeches was written down during his lifetime.

Important Points

  • After the death of Buddha, his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of “elders” or senior monks at Vesali (Pali for Vaishali in present-day Bihar).
  • These compilations were known as Tipitaka – literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. 
    • Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order.
    • Sutta Pitaka: Buddha’s teachings.
    • Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters.
  • Each Pitaka comprised a number of individual texts. Later, commentaries were written on these texts by Buddhist scholars.

Thus, it is clear that Vinaya Pitaka is a book related to the rules of the Buddhist Sangha.

Additional Information

  • First Buddhist Council:
    • Conducted under the patronage of King Ajatasatru of Haryanka dynasty.
    • It was held at Rajagriha.
  • Second Buddhist Council:
    • Conducted under the patronage of King Kalasoka of Sisunaga dynasty.
    • It was held at Vaishali.
  • Third Buddhist Council:
    • Conducted under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka of Maurya dynasty.
    • It was held in 250 BC at Pataliputra.
  • Fourth Buddhist Council:
    • Conducted under the patronage of King Kanishka of Kushan dynasty.
    • It was held at Kundalvana in Kashmir.

Buddhism Question 5:

Who advocated 'Neo-Buddhism'?

  1. Radhakrishnan
  2. Tagore
  3. Ambedkar
  4. Vivekananda
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Ambedkar

Buddhism Question 5 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Ambedkar.

Key Points

  • The Dalit Buddhist movement (also known as the Neo-Buddhist movement) is a religious as well as a socio-political movement among Dalits in India which was started by B. R. Ambedkar.
    • It radically re-interpreted Buddhism and created a new school of Buddhism called Navayana.
  • Hence option 4 is correct.

Additional Information

  • Tenets of Buddhism
    • Buddha asked his followers to avoid the two extremes of indulgence in worldly pleasure and the practice of strict abstinence and asceticism.
    • He ascribed instead the 'Madhyam Marg' or the middle path which was to be followed.
    • According to him, everyone was responsible for their own happiness in life, stressing the individualistic component of Buddhism.
    • The main teachings of Buddhism are encapsulated in the basic concept of four noble truths or ariya-sachchani and eightfold path or astangika marg.
  • Four noble truths:
    • Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.
    • Every suffering has a cause – Samudya.
    • Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha.
    • It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eight-Fold Path). 

Top Buddhism MCQ Objective Questions

What does "Triratna" mean in Buddhism? 

  1. Tripitaka
  2. Buddha, Dhamma (dharma), Sangha
  3. Satya, Ahimsa, Karuna
  4. Sheel, Samadhi, Sangha 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Buddha, Dhamma (dharma), Sangha

Buddhism Question 6 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Buddha, dhamma(dharma), sangha.

Key Points

Triratna in Sanskrit means 'Three Jewels'

  • The Buddha
  • Dhamma(dharma): his teaching
  • Sangha: the community of all those who follow his teachings.

​Buddhism

  • It is faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama("the Buddha").
  • Siddhartha Gautam, the Lord Buddha was born in 563 B.C at Lumbini in Nepal.
  • Attained Nirvana under a Pipal tree at Bodh Gaya & henceforth known as Buddha(The enlightened one).
  • Delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (Banaras) know called the Dhammacakkappavattana.
  • Died at the age of 80 at Kushinagar (U.P).

Noble truth by Buddha

  • The world is full of sorrow.
  • People suffer on account of desires
  • If desires are conqueredNirvana can be achieved i.e., free from the cycle of birth and death can be achieved by following 8 fold path(ashtangika marga)
    • Right Understanding
    • Right Determination
    • Right Speech
    • Right Action
    • Right Livelihood
    • Right Exercise
    • Right Mindfulness
    • Right Medication

Teaching by Buddha

  • Buddha was a practical reformer and did not believe in the soul or God or the metaphysical world and concerned himself with worldly problems.
  • Suggested that a person should avoid an excess of both luxury & austerity and prescribed a middle path.
  • Laid great emphasis on Karma(Varna based on action not on birth) & Ahimsa.
  • Opposed the varna system and laid down the principle of social equality.
  • Buddhist Text
    • Tripitaka's: All written in Pali Language
    • Sutta-Pitaka
    • Vinaya-Pitaka
    • Abhidhamma-Pitaka
  • Buddhist Councils
Councils Place when Chairmanship King Outcome
1st council Rajgir at Saptaparni cave Immediately after the death of Buddha 483 B.C Mahakashyap Ajatashatru Ananda composed: suttapitaka (Buddha's Teaching) & Upali compose Vinaypitika(Monastic code for Buddhism)
2nd council Vaishali 383 B.C, almost 100 after the death of Buddha Sabakami Kalashoka This council settled down the disputes on the Vinaya Pitaka and code of discipline.
3rd council Patliputra 250 B.C

Mogliputra Tissa

Ashoka Compilation of Abhidhamma pitaka took place(Philosophical exposition of Buddhism)
4th council Kashmir at Kundalvana 72 AD Vasumitra Kanishka Resulted in the division of Buddhism into Hinayana & Mahayana

Among the symbols associated with occasions related to Buddha, the 'Stupa' symbolizes:

  1. Death
  2. First Sermon
  3. Birth
  4. Home Abandonment

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Death

Buddhism Question 7 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Death.

Key Points

  • Kushinagar(Uttar Pradesh) is the place where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death.
  • Mahaparinirvana is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Final Death.
  • After the death of Buddha, his followers built a stupa where the relics of Buddha were kept.

Additional Information

  • Events related to Buddha and representing Symbol:
Event Symbol
Birth  Lotus and Bull
The Great Departure (Mahabhinishkramana) Horse
First Sermon (Dhammachakraparivartan) Wheel
Enlightenment Bodhi Tree
Death (Parinirvana) Stupa

The Jataka tales are associated with which of the following sects?

  1. Lingayat
  2. Shaivism
  3. Jainism
  4. Buddhism

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Buddhism

Buddhism Question 8 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Buddhism.

Key Points

  • Jataka tales are works of literature that are about Gautam Buddha's previous births
  • Buddhism: Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama ("the Buddha") in 5th Century B.C.
  • The Buddhism religion is based upon the teachings, life experience of its founder Siddhartha Gautam, born in circa 563 BCE.
Born into the royal family of the Sakya clan Lumbini
Attainment of Bodhi (enlightenment) under the pipal tree Bodhgaya(Bihar)
First Sermon, known as Dharma Chakra - Pravartana Sarnath
He died in 483BCE at Kushinagar This event is known as Mahaparinirvan

Additional Information

  • Lingayat: Lingayat also called Virashaiva, a member of a Hindu sect with a wide following in southern India that worships Shiva as the only deity.
  • Shaivism: Shaivism is the branch of Hinduism that worships Shiva as the supreme deity. It is one of the major branches of Hinduism.
  • Jainism: Jainism is a religion that emphasizes complete non - violence, and asceticism.
    • Followers of Jainism are called Jains.
    • Jainism came into prominence in the 6th century B.C, when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion. 
    • There were 24 great teachers, the last of whom was Lord Mahavira.
    • The first Tirthankara was Rishabnatha.

The Second Buddhist Council was held during the reign of __________.

  1. Udayabhadra
  2. Mahapadmananda
  3. Shishunaga
  4. Kalasoka

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Kalasoka

Buddhism Question 9 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Kalasoka.

key-point-imageKey Points

  • Kalasoka convened the second Buddhist Council in Vaishali (383 BC).
  • Results of Council- Schism into Sthavira-Vadins and Mahasanghikas.

 

Council Year Venue King Presided by
First Buddhist Council 483 BC Rajagriha Ajatshatru Mhakasyapa Upali
Second Buddhist Council  383 BC Vaishali Kalasoka Sabakami
Third Buddhist Council 250 BC Pataliputra Asoka Moggaliputta Tissa
Fourth Buddhist Council 72 AD Kundalavana Kanishka Vasumitra
Fifth Buddhist Council 1871 AD Mandalay Mindon Jagarbhivamsha and Samangalasama
Sixth Buddhist Council 1954 AD Kaba Aye Burmese government Mahasi Sayadaw

‘Ashta Mahasthana’ refers to the eight significant places associated with the life of the Buddha. Which among the following is NOT one of those?

  1. Sarnath
  2. Raigad
  3. Lumbini
  4. Bodh Gaya 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Raigad

Buddhism Question 10 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Raigad.

Key Points

  • Ashta Mahasthana associated with the life of the Buddha are :
    • Lumbini
    • Bodh Gaya
    • Sarnath
    • Kushinagar
    • Shravasti
    • Sankissa
    • Rajgriha
    • Vaishali
  • Gautama Buddha was born in the Lumbini village of Kapilavastu, Nepal in 563 B.C,  in the Shakya Kshatriya clan.​

Important Points

  • Mahabhiniraskramana or the Great Going Forth is the event when Gautama Buddha left his home.
  • Buddha visited Vaishali and learnt Sankhya darshan.
  • He went to Rajgriha and learnt yoga, went to Uruvela where he attained enlightenment.
  • He went on to Sarnath where he delivered his first sermon also called Dharmachakrapravartana.
  • He died in 483 B.C near Kushinara and the event is known as Mahaparinirvana.

What is Digha Nikaya?

  1. Jain texts
  2. Buddhist texts
  3. Brahmin Books
  4. Upanishad

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Buddhist texts

Buddhism Question 11 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Buddhist texts.

Key Points

  • The Digha Nikaya is a Buddhist scripture, the first of the five Nikayas, in the Sutta Pitaka, which is one of the three baskets that compose the Pali Tipitaka of Buddhism
  • Digha Nikaya which means the long collection, a Sanskrit Dirghagama that contains 34 long suttas including doctrinal expositions, legends, and moral rules.

Additional Information

  • Buddhism started in India over 2,600 years ago as a way of life that had the potential of transforming a person.
  • It is one of the important religions of South and South-Eastern Asian countries.
  • The religion is based upon the teachings, life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautam.
  • Major Buddhist Texts -
    • The Vinaya Pitaka consists of rules of conduct and discipline applicable to the monastic life of the monks and nuns.
    • The Sutta Pitaka consists of the main teaching or Dhamma of Buddha. It is divided into five Nikayas or collections:
      • Digha Nikaya
      • Majjhima Nikaya
      • Samyutta Nikaya
      • Anguttara Nikaya
      • Khuddaka Nikaya
    • The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a philosophical analysis and systematization of the teaching and the scholarly activity of the monks.
    • Other important Buddhist texts include Divyavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Milind Panha, etc.​

To which religion is the 'Tripitaka' scripture related?

  1. Vedic religion 
  2. Buddhism 
  3. Jainism 
  4. None of these

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Buddhism 

Buddhism Question 12 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is ​Buddhism.

  • Pitaka has great importance in Buddhist literature.

Key Points

  • These are Vinayapitaka, Sutpitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka. The simple meaning of Literature consists of a total of three pieces of literature.
  • They were composed by disciples of Buddha after attaining Nirvana of Mahatma Buddha.
  • In Vinayapitaka, thoughts related to the conduct of Buddhist monks are found.
  • Sutapitaka contains a collection of sermons by Mahatma Buddha, while Abhidhamma Pitaka discusses Buddhist philosophy.
  • These Pitakas are also called ‘Tipitaka’.
  • The language of Tripitaka is 'Pali'.

Additional Information

Council President Place Organized by
1st Mahakasyapa Rajgirha Ajatshatru
2nd Sabakami Vaishali Kalashoka
3rd Mogliputta Tissa Patliputra Ashoka
4th Vasumitra Kashmir Kanishka

The First Buddhist Council is said to have been patronised by:

  1. Porus
  2. Ashoka
  3. Ajatashatru
  4. Chandragupta Maurya

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Ajatashatru

Buddhism Question 13 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Ajatashatru.

Key Points

  • The First Buddhist council was convened in the year following the Buddha's parinirvana (death), which is 543–542 BCE according to Theravada tradition in Rajgir (Rajgriha).
  • It was organised by Ajathasatru.

Additional Information

Details of Buddhist Councils:

Buddhist

Council

Time

Place

Ruler

President

First

483 BCE

Rajgriha

Ajatashatru

Mahakassappa

Second

383 BCE

Vaisali

Kalasoka

Sabbakami

Third

250 BCE

Patliputra

Ashoka

Mogaliputta

Tissa

Fourth

1st Century

CE

Kashmir

Kanishka

Vasumitra

Departure of Siddhartha in "search of truth" is known as-

  1. Dharmachakrapravartan
  2. Mahabhinishkraman
  3. Nirvan
  4. Parinirvana

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Mahabhinishkraman

Buddhism Question 14 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Mahabhinishkraman.

Key Points

  • Mahabhinishkraman refers to the departure of Siddhartha from his home at the age of 29. 

Important Points

  • Dharmachakrapravartana refers to Siddhartha’s first religious sermon at Sarnath.
  • Nirvana refers to the attainment of knowledge by Buddha at Bodh Gaya.
  • Parinirvana refers to the death of Siddhartha at Kushinagar.

Which of the following is one of the sacred books of Buddhism ?

  1. Torah
  2. The Avesta
  3. Kalpa Sutra
  4. Tripitaka

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Tripitaka

Buddhism Question 15 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Tripitaka.

Key Points

  • Tripiṭaka is the traditional term for the Buddhist scriptures. 
  • Tripitaka are of three types:
    • Vinay Pitaka rules of monastic discipline for monks.
    • Sutta Pitaka is a collection of Buddha's Sermon.
    • Abhidhamma Pitaka is the philosophies of Buddha's teachings.

Important Points

Buddhism

  • Founder of Buddhism: Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BC at Lumbinivana(Rummindehi district, Nepal) on Vaisakha Purnima day in Sakya Kshatriya clan.
  •  His father Suddhodhana and his mother Mahamaya.
  • After his mother's early death, he was brought up by stepmother Gautami.
  • He married at 16 to Yasodhara, enjoyed married life for 13 years, and had a son named Rahul.
  • At the age of 29, he enounced home, this was his Mahabhinishkramana (geat going forth, Symbol - horse), and became a wandering ascetic.
  • At the age of 35, under a pipal tree at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) on the banks of river Niranjana(modern name Flagu), he attained Nirvana (enlightenment, Symbol - Bodhi tree) after 49 days of continuous meditation. 
  • First Sermon at Sarnath to his five disciples known as Dharamachakra Pravartna (Symbol - 8 spoked wheel).
  • He died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh. This is known as Mahaparinirvana (Final Blowing out).

Additional Information

  • Torah is the first part of the Jewish bible. It is the central and most important document of Judaism and has been used by Jews through the ages.
  • The Avesta is the primary collection of religious texts of Zoroastrianism, composed in Avestan language and written by Zarathustra.
  • Kalpa Sutra is a Jain text in Sanskrit containing the biographies of the Jain Tirthankaras, notably Parshvanatha and Mahavira.
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