General Awareness · Civics Polity

Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

2,971 Questions

Indian philosophy spans diverse concepts from Buddhist teachings and practices to ancient aesthetics. This collection covers meditation rules, spiritual enlightenment, and cultural expressions like Odissi. These topics are vital for general awareness in civil services and state exams.

Buddhist philosophy practicesAesthetics treatisesTantra categoriesMoksha conceptsClassical dance movements

Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The Buddhist and Jaina texts mention six states known as Mahajanapadas. b. All the Mahajanapadas were oligarchies, where power was shared by a number of men, often collectively called rajas. c. Both Mahavira and the Buddha belonged to ganas.

  1. only a

  2. only b

  3. only c

  4. only a and b

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. The Mahajanapadas that were oligarchies were ruled by a group of men called ganas or sanghas. Both Mahavira and Buddha belonged to such ganas.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct about the 'Sutta Pittaka'?

a. It is a Brahiminical text. b. It suggests that originally, all beings lived in an idyllic state of peace, taking from nature only what they needed for each meal. c. It suggests that all humans are children of Brahma and have different status according to their birth.

  1. only a

  2. only b

  3. only c

  4. only a and b

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as this statement is correct. A myth found in a text, known as the Sutta Pitaka, suggested that originally, human beings did not have fully evolved bodily forms nor was the world of plants fully developed. All beings lived in an idyllic state of peace, taking from nature only what they needed for each meal.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. Matanga Jataka is a Pali text, where the bodhisatta (the Buddha in a previous birth) is identified as a chandala. b. The Manusmṛti laid down the 'duties' of the Chandalas. c. Upon examination by historians, the depictions about lives of Chandalas in non-Brahiminical texts correspond with those in the Brahmanical texts.

  1. a, b and c

  2. only a and b

  3. only a and c

  4. only b and c

  5. only a
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as both these statements are correct.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The Tamilakam chiefs were patrons of bards and poets who sang their praise. b. The Tamil Sangam anthologies often illuminate the ills that arose as a result of the social and economic differences between rich and poor. c. The Purananuru is one of the anthologies of poems of the Tamil Sangam literature.

  1. only a

  2. only b

  3. only c

  4. only a and c

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as both these statements are correct.

Multiple choice

Name the religious book used by the “Parsis”.

  1. Zend Avesta

  2. Quran

  3. Rig-Veda

  4. Amend
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Zend Avesta is the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism, the religion followed by Parsis (Zoroastrians of Indian descent). It was composed in ancient Avestan language and contains hymns, prayers, and teachings attributed to the prophet Zoroaster. Parsis are descendants of Persian Zoroastrians who migrated to India to escape persecution.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these statements.

A. The normative principles of Hinduism have been as meticulously systematic and close as its empirical structure has been varied and amorphous.

B. Often this latter attribute (eclecticism or amorphousness) of Hinduism is emphasized without any regard for the former, which gives an imperfect and incomplete picture of Hindu culture and religion.

C. Behind the extreme degree of permissiveness and liberalism in beliefs and variety in ritual practices as admitted by Hindu canonical system, there exists a strictly logical view of phenomena in terms of which the principles of order and change, being and becoming, creation and destruction, hedonistic utilitarianism and spiritual transcendence can be meaningfully explained.

D. Implicit in this system of logic and metaphysics is a theory of society and culture which admits little confusion and has been formulated with extraordinary clarity.

  1. CBAD

  2. CDAB

  3. ABCD

  4. ADBC
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Out of A and C, A begins the sequence as it introduces the subject - ‘normative principles of Hindusim’. 'This latter attribute' in B refers to 'eclecticism or amorphousness' in A, thus, giving AB link. 'This system of logic' in D refers to ‘logical view’ in C, thus, D follows C. Hence, (3) is the answer. 

Multiple choice

Buddha delivered his first sermon at:

  1. Both Gaya

  2. Sarnath

  3. Kushinagar

  4. Sanchi

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sarnath, located near Varanasi, is where Buddha delivered his first sermon known as 'Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta' (Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma) to his five former companions. This event marks the beginning of his teaching career and the establishment of the Sangha.

Multiple choice

The Tripitaka is the sacred text of

  1. Buddhism

  2. Confucianism

  3. Hinduism

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Tripitaka (Three Baskets) is the primary canonical collection of scriptures in Buddhism, containing the Buddha's teachings. It's divided into three sections: Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (discourses), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analysis). Confucianism and Hinduism have their own distinct sacred texts.

Multiple choice

Vedic texts mention vrihi, tandula and sali to refer to

  1. wheat

  2. barley

  3. rice

  4. gram
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Vedic texts, vrihi, tandula, and sali all refer to different varieties of rice. These terms appear in various Sanskrit texts describing agricultural produce. Wheat is typically called godhuma, barley is yava, and gram is called mudga or chanaka in Vedic literature.

Multiple choice

The word Buddha means

  1. a conqueror

  2. a liberator

  3. an enlightened one

  4. a wanderer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The word Buddha comes from the Sanskrit root 'budh' meaning 'to awaken' or 'to understand'. Buddha literally means 'the awakened one' or 'the enlightened one' - someone who has attained enlightenment and is free from ignorance. It refers to Siddhartha Gautama's state of awakening.

Multiple choice

Nature worship in sacred groves untouched by humans is an age old custom in the Hindu religion and in many tribes. The Mundas and the Santhals of Chhota Nagpur region worship

  1. peepal and banyan

  2. mahua and kadamba

  3. tamrind and mango

  4. peepal and mango

  5. tamarind and mahua
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. The Mundas and Santhals of Chhota Nagpur region worship mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocaphalus cadmba) trees.