MCQ on Religion Movement of 6th Century BCE

🟢 EASY (1–20)

1. Which two major religions emerged in the 6th century BCE in India?
   a) Hinduism and Islam
   b) Jainism and Christianity
   c) Buddhism and Jainism ✅
   d) Sikhism and Buddhism
   Explanation: Buddhism and Jainism emerged as reformist movements.
2. Who was the founder of Buddhism?
   a) Mahavira
   b) Siddhartha Gautama ✅
   c) Ashoka
   d) Makkhali Gosala
   Explanation: Siddhartha, later known as Buddha, founded Buddhism.
3. Who was the founder of Jainism?
   a) Parsvanatha
   b) Rishabhanatha
   c) Mahavira ✅
   d) Kapila
   Explanation: Mahavira is considered the 24th and last Tirthankara.
4. Where did Buddha attain enlightenment?
   a) Sarnath
   b) Kapilavastu
   c) Bodh Gaya ✅
   d) Kushinagar
   Explanation: Under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
5. What was Mahavira’s original name?
   a) Siddhartha
   b) Vardhamana ✅
   c) Ajatashatru
   d) Devadatta
   Explanation: Mahavira was born as Vardhamana.
6. In which language were Buddha’s teachings originally delivered?
   a) Sanskrit
   b) Tamil
   c) Pali ✅
   d) Prakrit
   Explanation: Pali was used to reach common people.
7. What does ‘Nirvana’ mean in Buddhism?
   a) Rebirth
   b) Salvation ✅
   c) Power
   d) Enlightenment
   Explanation: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
8. Where did Buddha give his first sermon?
   a) Rajgir
   b) Bodh Gaya
   c) Sarnath ✅
   d) Vaishali
   Explanation: Known as the ‘Dhammachakkappavattana’ at Sarnath.
9. Which is the religious text of Jainism?
   a) Tripitaka
   b) Angas ✅
   c) Vedas
   d) Gita
   Explanation: Jain teachings are compiled in the Agamas or Angas.
10. Which ruler was a patron of Jainism?
    a) Ashoka
    b) Bimbisara
    c) Chandragupta Maurya ✅
    d) Harshavardhana
    Explanation: He converted to Jainism and migrated south.
11. Buddha was born at:
    a) Kushinagar
    b) Lumbini ✅
    c) Kapilavastu
    d) Sarnath
    Explanation: Now in Nepal.
12. What does ‘Tirthankara’ mean in Jainism?
    a) Prophet
    b) Enlightened teacher ✅
    c) Monk
    d) King
    Explanation: Spiritual guide who shows the path to liberation.
13. Which sect of Buddhism believes in Bodhisattvas?
    a) Theravada
    b) Mahayana ✅
    c) Hinayana
    d) Vajrayana
    Explanation: Mahayana reveres Bodhisattvas.
14. What is the doctrine of ‘Ahimsa’ in Jainism?
    a) Prayer
    b) Meditation
    c) Non-violence ✅
    d) Penance
    Explanation: Jainism strongly emphasizes non-violence.
15. Where did Mahavira attain Kevalya (omniscience)?
    a) Vaishali
    b) Rajgir
    c) Jrimbhikagrama ✅
    d) Sravasti
    Explanation: In modern Bihar.
16. What are the Buddhist scriptures called?
    a) Vedas
    b) Angas
    c) Tripitaka ✅
    d) Upanishads
    Explanation: Literally means “Three Baskets”.
17. In which Mahajanapada did both Buddha and Mahavira preach?
    a) Avanti
    b) Kosala
    c) Magadha ✅
    d) Gandhara
    Explanation: Magadha became the center of both religions.
18. The Jain sect that wears white clothes is:
    a) Shwetambara ✅
    b) Digambara
    c) Lokayata
    d) Vajrayana
    Explanation: Shwetambara means “white-clad”.
19. The eightfold path is associated with:
    a) Jainism
    b) Buddhism ✅
    c) Vedic religion
    d) Lokayata
    Explanation: Right conduct, livelihood, mindfulness, etc.
20. Buddha’s death is referred to as:
    a) Moksha
    b) Nirvana
    c) Mahaparinirvana ✅
    d) Kevalya
    Explanation: Final liberation.

🟡 MODERATE (21–40)

21. Who was Buddha’s father?
    a) Suddhodana ✅
    b) Bimbisara
    c) Prasenajit
    d) Shrenika
    Explanation: A ruler of the Shakya clan.
22. Which council compiled the Tripitaka?
    a) First Buddhist Council ✅
    b) Second Council
    c) Third Council
    d) Fourth Council
    Explanation: Held at Rajgir soon after Buddha’s death.
23. Which was a materialistic school of thought in the 6th century BCE?
    a) Jainism
    b) Buddhism
    c) Charvaka ✅
    d) Ajivika
    Explanation: Charvakas rejected religious authority.
24. Who was Makkhali Gosala associated with?
    a) Buddhism
    b) Jainism
    c) Ajivika sect ✅
    d) Charvaka
    Explanation: Ajivikas believed in destiny.
25. What is the Jain concept of liberation called?
    a) Nirvana
    b) Moksha ✅
    c) Samadhi
    d) Parinirvana
    Explanation: Liberation from karma and rebirth.
26. Which of the following was NOT a reason for rise of new religions?
    a) Complex rituals in Vedic religion
    b) Rise of urban centers
    c) Use of Sanskrit ✅
    d) Caste rigidity
    Explanation: New religions used simpler languages like Pali/Prakrit.
27. The Jain path to salvation consists of:
    a) Truth, Non-violence, Prayer
    b) Right faith, Right knowledge, Right conduct ✅
    c) Karma, Dharma, Moksha
    d) Yama, Niyama, Samadhi
    Explanation: Known as “Three Jewels” (Ratnatraya).
28. The symbol of Jainism is associated with:
    a) Dharma Chakra
    b) Triratna
    c) Ahimsa hand ✅
    d) Lotus
    Explanation: Symbolizes peace and non-violence.
29. The First Buddhist Council was held under the patronage of:
    a) Ashoka
    b) Bimbisara
    c) Ajatashatru ✅
    d) Bindusara
    Explanation: Convened shortly after Buddha’s death.
30. Jain monks during Mahavira’s time practiced:
    a) Temple rituals
    b) Ritual fasting
    c) Extreme asceticism ✅
    d) Political activities
    Explanation: Renunciation of all worldly attachments.
31. Which Jain sect believes Mahavira never married?
    a) Shwetambara
    b) Digambara ✅
    c) Theravada
    d) Mahayana
    Explanation: Digambaras reject worldly life completely.
32. ‘Triratna’ of Buddhism includes:
    a) Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha ✅
    b) Dhamma, Karma, Moksha
    c) Buddha, Karma, Dharma
    d) Sangha, Moksha, Samadhi
    Explanation: Triple refuge for Buddhists.
33. Buddhism rejected the authority of:
    a) Scriptures
    b) Vedas ✅
    c) Ahimsa
    d) Caste
    Explanation: Buddhism was against Vedic ritualism.
34. Which river is closely associated with Buddha’s life?
    a) Yamuna
    b) Ganga ✅
    c) Saraswati
    d) Sindhu
    Explanation: Most sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath lie in Ganga basin.
35. Who was Buddha’s chief female disciple?
    a) Amrapali
    b) Yashodhara
    c) Gautami ✅
    d) Sujata
    Explanation: Mahaprajapati Gautami, his foster mother.
36. In Buddhism, Karma refers to:
    a) Ritual duty
    b) Right knowledge
    c) Action and its consequences ✅
    d) Caste duty
    Explanation: Karma determines future rebirths.
37. Sangha in Buddhism refers to:
    a) Monastic community ✅
    b) Prayer hall
    c) Meditation
    d) Salvation
    Explanation: Organization of monks and nuns.
38. Svetambaras and Digambaras differ on:
    a) Belief in Karma
    b) Language
    c) Monk attire ✅
    d) Place of origin
    Explanation: Digambaras are “sky-clad”; wear no clothes.
39. Viharas were used as:
    a) Assembly halls
    b) Fortresses
    c) Monasteries ✅
    d) Markets
    Explanation: Residences for Buddhist monks.
40. The second Buddhist council was held at:
    a) Rajgir
    b) Vaishali ✅
    c) Sarnath
    d) Nalanda
    Explanation: Addressed disciplinary issues in Sangha.

🔴 HARD (41–50)

41. Mahavira attained Nirvana at:
    a) Rajgir
    b) Pavapuri ✅
    c) Vaishali
    d) Bodh Gaya
    Explanation: In Bihar, also a pilgrimage site today.
42. Who compiled the Jain scriptures after Mahavira?
    a) Gautama
    b) Bhadrabahu ✅
    c) Sudharman
    d) Chandragupta
    Explanation: Bhadrabahu was an important Jain acharya.
43. In Jainism, the term ‘Sallekhana’ refers to:
    a) Enlightenment
    b) Voluntary death by fasting ✅
    c) Prayer
    d) Rebirth
    Explanation: Accepted as a form of spiritual liberation.
44. Which Buddhist text contains the rules for monks?
    a) Vinaya Pitaka ✅
    b) Sutta Pitaka
    c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
    d) Jataka Tales
    Explanation: Deals with monastic discipline.
45. Which sect of Buddhism emphasizes Tantra and rituals?
    a) Theravada
    b) Mahayana
    c) Vajrayana ✅
    d) Hinayana
    Explanation: Vajrayana spread in Tibet.
46. The Jataka tales relate to:
    a) Mahavira’s life
    b) Buddha’s previous births ✅
    c) Jain monks
    d) Vedic gods
    Explanation: Stories of Buddha’s earlier incarnations.
47. Which Jain Tirthankara preceded Mahavira?
    a) Neminatha
    b) Parsvanatha ✅
    c) Rishabhanatha
    d) Ajitanatha
    Explanation: 23rd Tirthankara, Mahavira followed him.
48. Ajivikas believed in:
    a) Karma
    b) Rituals
    c) Fatalism ✅
    d) Non-violence
    Explanation: They believed destiny controls life.
49. Jain monks practiced non-possession, also known as:
    a) Satya
    b) Aparigraha ✅
    c) Brahmacharya
    d) Ahimsa
    Explanation: One of the five vows.
50. The last Tirthankara in Jainism was:
    a) Rishabhanatha
    b) Mahavira ✅
    c) Parsvanatha
    d) Ajitanatha
    Explanation: Mahavira is the 24th and final Tirthankara.