Buddhism Top 100 MCQs With Answer and Explanation

1. Gautama Buddha was born in __________.
A) Bodh Gaya
B) Lumbini
C) Kapilavastu
D) Kushinagar

2. The real name of Buddha was __________.
A) Gautama
B) Siddhartha
C) Shakyamuni
D) Tathagata

3. Buddha belonged to which clan?
A) Maurya
B) Sakya
C) Nanda
D) Licchavi

4. Buddha’s father Suddhodana was the ruler of __________.
A) Magadha
B) Kapilavastu
C) Vaishali
D) Kashi

5. Buddha’s mother Maya Devi died shortly after his birth, and he was brought up by __________.
A) Yashodhara
B) Prajapati Gautami
C) Sujata
D) Ananda

6. The wife of Siddhartha Gautama was __________.
A) Sujata
B) Yashodhara
C) Mahamaya
D) Subhadra

7. The “Great Renunciation” by Siddhartha took place at the age of __________.
A) 19 years
B) 21 years
C) 29 years
D) 35 years

8. Buddha attained enlightenment at__________.
A) Sarnath
B) Bodh Gaya
C) Rajgir
D) Kushinagar

9. Buddha attained enlightenment under which tree?
A) Neem tree
B) Bodhi (Peepal) tree
C) Banyan tree
D) Ashoka tree

10. The first sermon of Buddha is known as__________.
A) Mahaparinirvana
B) Dharmachakra Pravartana
C) Mahasatipatthana
D) Vinaya Pitaka

11. The first sermon was delivered at__________.
A) Bodh Gaya
B) Lumbini
C) Sarnath (Deer Park)
D) Vaishali

12. Buddha’s first five disciples were called__________.
A) Arhats
B) Panchavargikas
C) Sangha
D) Bodhisattvas

13. The core teachings of Buddha are known as__________.
A) Triratna
B) Four Noble Truths
C) Eightfold Path
D) Both B and C

14. The “Four Noble Truths” are associated with__________.
A) Jainism
B) Buddhism
C) Hinduism
D) Ajivikas

15. The Eightfold Path is also called__________.
A) Astangika Marga
B) Panchsheel
C) Dhammapada
D) Bodhisattva Path

16. The “Middle Path” in Buddhism means__________.
A) Balance between extreme indulgence and asceticism
B) Following Hindu rituals
C) Complete renunciation
D) Political neutrality

17. The three jewels (Triratna) of Buddhism are__________.
A) Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
B) Buddha, Bodhi, Bodhisattva
C) Dharma, Karma, Moksha
D) Sangha, Nirvana, Bodhi

18. Nirvana in Buddhism means__________.
A) Eternal life
B) Union with God
C) Cessation of desire and liberation from rebirth
D) Heaven

19. The last words of Buddha were__________.
A) “Work out your salvation with diligence”
B) “Peace unto all beings”
C) “Life is suffering”
D) “Desire is the root of sorrow”

20. Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (death) at__________.
A) Rajgir
B) Kushinagar
C) Sarnath
D) Bodh Gaya

21. The Buddhist Sangha was open to__________.
A) Only Brahmins
B) Only Kshatriyas
C) Men and women of all varnas
D) Only monks

22. The language of early Buddhist teachings was__________.
A) Sanskrit
B) Pali
C) Prakrit
D) Tamil

23. The Buddhist monks followed rules compiled in the__________.
A) Jataka tales
B) Vinaya Pitaka
C) Abhidhamma Pitaka
D) Anguttara Nikaya

24. The core doctrine “Dependent Origination” (Pratityasamutpada) explains__________.
A) Theory of rebirth
B) Causation of suffering
C) Nothing is permanent
D) All of the above

25. Buddhism rejected__________.
A) Caste system and Vedic rituals
B) Karma and rebirth
C) Ahimsa
D) Meditation

26. The First Buddhist Council was held at__________.
A) Rajgir (Rajagriha)
B) Vaishali
C) Pataliputra
D) Kashmir

27. Who presided over the First Buddhist Council?
A) Mahakashyapa
B) Upali
C) Ananda
D) Moggaliputta Tissa

28. The result of the First Buddhist Council was__________.
A) Compilation of Sutta and Vinaya Pitakas
B) Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka
C) Division of Buddhism into sects
D) Spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka

29. The Second Buddhist Council was held at__________.
A) Rajgir
B) Vaishali
C) Pataliputra
D) Kashmir

30. The main issue discussed at the Second Buddhist Council was__________.
A) Admission of women into Sangha
B) Dispute over monastic discipline and 10 points of relaxation
C) Compilation of Pitakas
D) Spread of Buddhism abroad

31. The split after the Second Council gave rise to__________.
A) Hinayana and Mahayana
B) Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas
C) Vajrayana and Zen
D) Theravada and Navayana

32. The Third Buddhist Council was held at__________.
A) Pataliputra
B) Vaishali
C) Rajgir
D) Kanishka’s capital, Kashmir

33. Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council?
A) Mahakashyapa
B) Moggaliputta Tissa
C) Vasumitra
D) Ashvaghosha

34. The Third Council led to__________.
A) Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka
B) Dispatch of Buddhist missions abroad
C) Purging of Sangha
D) All of the above

35. Ashoka’s son Mahinda spread Buddhism to__________.
A) Burma
B) Sri Lanka
C) China
D) Tibet

36. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at__________.
A) Kashmir
B) Vaishali
C) Rajgir
D) Bodh Gaya

37. The Fourth Buddhist Council under Kanishka resulted in__________.
A) Division into Hinayana and Mahayana
B) Compilation of commentaries in Sanskrit
C) Spread to Central Asia
D) All of the above

38. Hinayana Buddhism means__________.
A) Lesser vehicle
B) Greater vehicle
C) Thunderbolt vehicle
D) New vehicle

39. Mahayana Buddhism means__________.
A) Lesser vehicle
B) Greater vehicle
C) Thunderbolt vehicle
D) Path of wisdom

40. Hinayana texts were in__________.
A) Pali
B) Sanskrit
C) Tibetan
D) Chinese

41. Mahayana texts were mainly in__________.
A) Pali
B) Sanskrit
C) Prakrit
D) Tamil

42. Vajrayana Buddhism developed in__________.
A) South India
B) Bihar and Bengal
C) Tibet and Kashmir
D) Sri Lanka

43. The chief ideal of Hinayana is__________.
A) Bodhisattva
B) Arhat
C) Avalokiteshvara
D) Sunyata

44. The chief ideal of Mahayana is__________.
A) Arhat
B) Bodhisattva
C) Chakravartin
D) Yogi

45. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is associated with__________.
A) Compassion
B) Wisdom
C) Power
D) Meditation

46. The Bodhisattva Manjushri represents__________.
A) Power
B) Compassion
C) Wisdom
D) Fearlessness

47. The Buddhist university founded in Ashoka’s time in Sri Lanka was__________.
A) Taxila
B) Nalanda
C) Abhayagiri Vihara
D) Vallabhi

48. Buddhism spread to Central Asia mainly under__________.
A) Ashoka
B) Kanishka
C) Harsha
D) Chandragupta

49. Buddhism reached China in__________.
A) 1st century CE
B) 3rd century CE
C) 5th century CE
D) 7th century CE

50. Buddhism spread to Tibet mainly through__________.
A) Vajrayana Buddhism
B) Hinayana Buddhism
C) Jainism influence
D) Mahavira’s disciples

51. The Buddhist canonical literature is known as__________.
A) Tripitaka
B) Ramayana
C) Arthashastra
D) Mahabharata

52. The Vinaya Pitaka deals with__________.
A) Philosophical doctrines
B) Rules of monastic discipline
C) Jataka tales
D) Royal duties

53. The Sutta Pitaka contains__________.
A) Sayings and sermons of Buddha
B) Rules for monks
C) Philosophical debates
D) Epics

54. The Abhidhamma Pitaka deals with__________.
A) Poetry
B) Higher philosophical analysis
C) Monastic discipline
D) Mythology

55. The Jataka tales are__________.
A) Stories of previous births of Buddha
B) Stories of kings and queens
C) Mahabharata stories
D) Vedic hymns

56. The language of the Buddhist canon in Theravada (Hinayana) tradition is__________.
A) Sanskrit
B) Pali
C) Prakrit
D) Tibetan

57. The Mahayana Buddhist texts were mainly composed in__________.
A) Pali
B) Sanskrit
C) Prakrit
D) Tamil

58. The Buddhist university of Nalanda was patronized by__________.
A) Harshavardhana and Gupta rulers
B) Ashoka only
C) Maurya Nandas
D) Satavahanas

59. The famous Buddhist university of Vikramashila was founded by__________.
A) Chandragupta II
B) Dharmapala of Pala dynasty
C) Ashoka
D) Harsha

60. The university of Vallabhi (Gujarat) was famous for__________.
A) Vedic learning
B) Hinayana Buddhism
C) Mahayana philosophy
D) Jain studies

61. The earliest Buddhist architecture is represented by__________.
A) Rock-cut caves
B) Stupas
C) Temples
D) Viharas

62. The Sanchi Stupa was originally built by__________.
A) Harshavardhana
B) Ashoka
C) Kanishka
D) Chandragupta Maurya

63. The Bharhut Stupa is famous for__________.
A) Gandhara sculptures
B) Narrative reliefs in stone
C) Gupta paintings
D) Metal images

64. The Amaravati Stupa is located in__________.
A) Madhya Pradesh
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Bihar
D) Karnataka

65. The great stupa at Sanchi has gateways called__________.
A) Toranas
B) Shikharas
C) Mandapas
D) Chaityas

66. The rock-cut Buddhist caves at Ajanta are famous for__________.
A) Fresco paintings
B) Sculpture of Jain Tirthankaras
C) Bronze idols
D) Nagara temples

67. The Gandhara school of art is noted for__________.
A) Indigenous symbols
B) Greco-Roman influence
C) Wooden architecture
D) Jain statues

68. The Mathura school of art is known for__________.
A) Greek-style drapery
B) Indigenous Indian style of Buddha images
C) Jain sculptures
D) Metal casting

69. The Amravati school of art flourished in__________.
A) Mauryan period
B) Satavahana period
C) Gupta period
D) Pallava period

70. The standing image of Buddha with long robe and wavy hair belongs to__________.
A) Mathura school
B) Gandhara school
C) Amravati school
D) Gupta school

71. The Ajanta caves belong mainly to__________.
A) Hinayana period
B) Mahayana period
C) Both Hinayana and Mahayana phases
D) Vajrayana

72. The Ellora caves in Maharashtra are famous for__________.
A) Jain sculptures
B) Hindu temples
C) Buddhist chaityas and viharas along with Hindu and Jain caves
D) Persian-style domes

73. Which Gupta king built Buddhist structures at Sarnath?
A) Samudragupta
B) Chandragupta II
C) Kumaragupta
D) Skandagupta

74. The Buddha image as an object of worship started during__________.
A) Mauryan period
B) Shunga period
C) Kushana period
D) Gupta period

75. The Gupta period is called the golden age of__________.
A) Jainism
B) Vedic religion
C) Buddhist art and iconography
D) Zoroastrianism

76. The decline of Buddhism in India began around__________.
A) Mauryan period
B) Gupta period
C) Post-Gupta period
D) Mughal period

77. A major cause of decline of Buddhism was__________.
A) Revival of Brahmanism and Bhakti movement
B) Loss of royal patronage
C) Division into sects
D) All of the above

78. The invasion that dealt a severe blow to Buddhism was by__________.
A) Scythians
B) Huns under Mihirakula
C) Arabs
D) Kushans

79. The final blow to Indian Buddhism was caused by__________.
A) Mahmud of Ghazni
B) Turkish invasions under Bakhtiyar Khilji
C) Mongols
D) Portuguese

80. The decline of Buddhist monasteries was partly because__________.
A) They became wealthy and corrupt
B) They stopped admitting students
C) They rejected trade
D) They allied with Turks

81. Which Hindu philosophical system absorbed many Buddhist ideas?
A) Nyaya
B) Sankhya
C) Vedanta
D) Advaita

82. The Bhakti movement contributed to Buddhism’s decline because__________.
A) It rejected image worship
B) It offered personal devotion accessible to all
C) It destroyed monasteries
D) It banned Buddhist texts

83. Buddhism disappeared from most parts of India by__________.
A) 6th century CE
B) 9th century CE
C) 12th century CE
D) 15th century CE

84. Buddhism survived the longest in India in__________.
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Bengal and Bihar
C) Punjab
D) Kashmir

85. Which Indian dynasty gave the last royal support to Buddhism?
A) Guptas
B) Palas of Bengal
C) Mauryas
D) Chalukyas

86. The Tibetan form of Buddhism was influenced by__________.
A) Theravada
B) Mahayana
C) Vajrayana
D) Hinayana

87. The Dalai Lama tradition is associated with__________.
A) Hinayana
B) Mahayana
C) Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism)
D) Zen Buddhism

88. Buddhism disappeared from India but thrived in__________.
A) Sri Lanka and Myanmar
B) China and Japan
C) Tibet and Mongolia
D) All of the above

89. Modern revival of Buddhism in India was led by__________.
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) B. R. Ambedkar
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Rabindranath Tagore

90. The Navayana Buddhism founded by B. R. Ambedkar emphasized__________.
A) Bhakti
B) Social equality and rationalism
C) Worship of Bodhisattvas
D) Vedic rituals

91. The greatest contribution of Buddhism to Indian culture was__________.
A) Vernacular literature
B) Rock-cut architecture and stupas
C) Religious tolerance
D) All of the above

92. Buddhist emphasis on non-violence influenced__________.
A) Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy
B) Bhakti movement
C) Jainism
D) Mughal rulers

93. Buddhist stupas like Sanchi symbolize__________.
A) Buddha’s relics and teachings
B) Hindu deities
C) Jain Tirthankaras
D) Persian tombs

94. The spread of Buddhism helped promote__________.
A) Trade and cultural exchange
B) Sanskrit literature only
C) Greek philosophy
D) Isolationism

95. The concept of Ahimsa in Buddhism influenced which Indian emperor most?
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Ashoka
C) Harshavardhana
D) Kanishka

96. Buddhist philosophy influenced Indian logic and debate through__________.
A) Dignaga and Dharmakirti
B) Panini
C) Shankaracharya
D) Patanjali

97. The legacy of Buddhism in Asia includes__________.
A) Spread of art (stupas, statues)
B) Spread of ethics and non-violence
C) Religious diversity
D) All of the above

98. In India today, Buddhism is practiced mainly by__________.
A) Tribals of Northeast and Ambedkarite Buddhists in Maharashtra
B) Farmers of Punjab
C) Zamindars of Bengal
D) Rajputs of Rajasthan

99. The modern headquarters of Tibetan Buddhism in India is__________.
A) Sarnath
B) Kushinagar
C) Bodh Gaya
D) Dharamshala

100. Buddhism’s enduring legacy is__________.
A) A religion of compassion, equality, and peace influencing global culture
B) Military conquests
C) Vedic sacrifices
D) Regional isolation