Q1. Who was the founder of Buddhism?
(A) Mahavira
(B) Ashoka
(C) Gautama Buddha
(D) Nagarjuna
(B) Ashoka
(C) Gautama Buddha
(D) Nagarjuna
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Correct Answer: (C) Gautama Buddha
Explanation: Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha (c. 563–483 BCE), born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya around age 35, he preached the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, forming the core philosophy of Buddhism across ancient India and beyond.
Explanation: Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha (c. 563–483 BCE), born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya around age 35, he preached the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, forming the core philosophy of Buddhism across ancient India and beyond.
Q2. Where was Gautama Buddha born?
(A) Bodh Gaya
(B) Lumbini
(C) Sarnath
(D) Kushinagar
(B) Lumbini
(C) Sarnath
(D) Kushinagar
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Correct Answer: (B) Lumbini
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born around 563 BCE at Lumbini, located in present-day Nepal. It was a garden in the Shakya kingdom. The site is marked by the Ashokan pillar inscription, confirming it as Buddha’s birthplace and an important Buddhist pilgrimage center.
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born around 563 BCE at Lumbini, located in present-day Nepal. It was a garden in the Shakya kingdom. The site is marked by the Ashokan pillar inscription, confirming it as Buddha’s birthplace and an important Buddhist pilgrimage center.
Q3. What was the original name of Buddha?
(A) Siddhartha
(B) Rahul
(C) Ananda
(D) Devadatta
(B) Rahul
(C) Ananda
(D) Devadatta
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Correct Answer: (A) Siddhartha
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama around 563 BCE in the Shakya clan. “Siddhartha” means “one who achieves his goal.” After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, he became known as “Buddha,” meaning “the Enlightened One,” marking his transformation from prince to spiritual teacher.
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama around 563 BCE in the Shakya clan. “Siddhartha” means “one who achieves his goal.” After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, he became known as “Buddha,” meaning “the Enlightened One,” marking his transformation from prince to spiritual teacher.
Q4. Which clan did Buddha belong to?
(A) Maurya
(B) Gupta
(C) Shakya
(D) Nanda
(B) Gupta
(C) Shakya
(D) Nanda
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Correct Answer: (C) Shakya
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born into the Shakya clan, a Kshatriya tribe in the Himalayan foothills around 6th century BCE. The Shakyas ruled from Kapilavastu. His father, King Suddhodana, was a chief of this clan, hence Buddha is often called “Shakyamuni” (sage of the Shakyas).
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born into the Shakya clan, a Kshatriya tribe in the Himalayan foothills around 6th century BCE. The Shakyas ruled from Kapilavastu. His father, King Suddhodana, was a chief of this clan, hence Buddha is often called “Shakyamuni” (sage of the Shakyas).
Q5. What was Buddha’s father’s name?
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Suddhodana
(C) Prasenjit
(D) Ajatashatru
(B) Suddhodana
(C) Prasenjit
(D) Ajatashatru
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Correct Answer: (B) Suddhodana
Explanation: Gautama Buddha’s father was Suddhodana, a chief of the Shakya clan who ruled from Kapilavastu in the 6th century BCE. He ensured a luxurious upbringing for Siddhartha to prevent exposure to worldly suffering, which later influenced Buddha’s spiritual quest.
Explanation: Gautama Buddha’s father was Suddhodana, a chief of the Shakya clan who ruled from Kapilavastu in the 6th century BCE. He ensured a luxurious upbringing for Siddhartha to prevent exposure to worldly suffering, which later influenced Buddha’s spiritual quest.
Q6. What was Buddha’s mother’s name?
(A) Mahaprajapati
(B) Yashodhara
(C) Maya Devi
(D) Amrapali
(B) Yashodhara
(C) Maya Devi
(D) Amrapali
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Correct Answer: (C) Maya Devi
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born to Maya Devi around 563 BCE in Lumbini. She was the queen of King Suddhodana. According to tradition, she passed away seven days after Buddha’s birth, after which he was raised by his aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami.
Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born to Maya Devi around 563 BCE in Lumbini. She was the queen of King Suddhodana. According to tradition, she passed away seven days after Buddha’s birth, after which he was raised by his aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami.
Q7. What is the meaning of ‘Buddha’?
(A) King
(B) Enlightened One
(C) Monk
(D) Teacher
(B) Enlightened One
(C) Monk
(D) Teacher
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Correct Answer: (B) Enlightened One
Explanation: The term “Buddha” literally means “the Enlightened One” or “Awakened One.” Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment (Bodhi) at Bodh Gaya around age 35. It signifies complete wisdom, realization of truth, and freedom from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
Explanation: The term “Buddha” literally means “the Enlightened One” or “Awakened One.” Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment (Bodhi) at Bodh Gaya around age 35. It signifies complete wisdom, realization of truth, and freedom from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
Q8. At what age did Buddha leave home?
(A) 25
(B) 29
(C) 35
(D) 40
(B) 29
(C) 35
(D) 40
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Correct Answer: (B) 29
Explanation: Gautama Buddha renounced his royal life at age 29 in an event known as the “Great Renunciation” (Mahabhinishkramana). After witnessing old age, disease, and death, he left Kapilavastu in search of truth and a solution to human suffering, eventually attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
Explanation: Gautama Buddha renounced his royal life at age 29 in an event known as the “Great Renunciation” (Mahabhinishkramana). After witnessing old age, disease, and death, he left Kapilavastu in search of truth and a solution to human suffering, eventually attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
Q9. Where did Buddha attain enlightenment?
(A) Lumbini
(B) Sarnath
(C) Bodh Gaya
(D) Rajgir
(B) Sarnath
(C) Bodh Gaya
(D) Rajgir
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Correct Answer: (C) Bodh Gaya
Explanation: Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment around 528 BCE under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in present-day Bihar. After years of meditation and ascetic practices, he realized the Four Noble Truths here, making it the most sacred pilgrimage site in Buddhism.
Explanation: Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment around 528 BCE under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in present-day Bihar. After years of meditation and ascetic practices, he realized the Four Noble Truths here, making it the most sacred pilgrimage site in Buddhism.
Q10. What is the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment?
(A) Banyan
(B) Peepal
(C) Neem
(D) Ashoka
(B) Peepal
(C) Neem
(D) Ashoka
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Correct Answer: (B) Peepal
Explanation: Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa), famously known as the Bodhi Tree, at Bodh Gaya around 528 BCE. This tree symbolizes wisdom and awakening, and its descendant is still revered at the Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bihar.
Explanation: Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa), famously known as the Bodhi Tree, at Bodh Gaya around 528 BCE. This tree symbolizes wisdom and awakening, and its descendant is still revered at the Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bihar.