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. Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings, who accumulated merit through their efforts, but used this to help others. b. The worship of images of Buddha and Bodhisattas was an important part of the tradition of Hinayana. c. The followers of the older Buddhist tradition described themselves as theravadin.

  1. a, b and c

  2. a and b

  3. a and c

  4. b and c

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

This is the correct answer as both statements are correct.

Multiple choice

The words ’Satyameva Jayate” inscribed below the base plate of the Indian Emblem are from

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mundak Upanishad

  3. Rig Veda

  4. Satpath Brahmana
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The motto 'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth Alone Triumphs) is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad. It appears in the Mundaka Upanishad, Chapter 3, Verse 1. It is not from the Ramayana, Rig Veda, or Satapatha Brahmana. The motto was adopted as the national motto of India on January 26, 1950.

Multiple choice

In ancient India, Nalanda University was a great centre for the study of

  1. Hinduism

  2. Hinayana Buddhism

  3. Jainism

  4. Mahayana Buddhism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nalanda University, established in the 5th century CE during the Gupta era, was the most renowned center of Mahayana Buddhist learning in ancient India. While it taught various subjects including logic, grammar, and medicine, it was fundamentally a Mahayana Buddhist monastery-university that attracted scholars from across Asia. Hinayana Buddhism and Jainism were studied at other centers, while Hinduism was taught through traditional gurukuls.

Multiple choice

Buddhism and Jainism both gave stress on

  1. worship of God

  2. non-violence

  3. self-mortification

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Both Buddhism and Jainism emerged in the 6th century BCE as religious movements that emphasized non-violence (ahimsa) as a core ethical principle. This was a radical departure from Vedic rituals involving animal sacrifice. Both religions rejected the authority of Vedas and Brahmin priesthood, focusing instead on ethical living.

Multiple choice

Tripitakas are the sacred books of

  1. Jainism

  2. Buddhism

  3. Hinduism

  4. Shaivism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Tripitaka, meaning 'Three Baskets,' is the canonical collection of Buddhist scriptures divided into Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (discourses), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analysis). These texts form the foundational teachings of Theravada Buddhism and preserve the original words of Buddha. They were compiled at the first Buddhist council shortly after Buddha's death.

Multiple choice

In which language did Buddha preach?

  1. Pali

  2. Prakrit

  3. Brahmi

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

Buddha preached primarily in Pali, a Prakrit language that was the vernacular of ancient Magadha (modern-day Bihar). Pali was the language of the common people, making Buddha's teachings accessible to all rather than just Sanskrit-speaking Brahmins. The Tripitaka Buddhist scriptures were written in Pali, and it remains the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism. This choice reflected Buddha's revolutionary approach of teaching in the people's language.

Multiple choice

The 'Dhammapada' is a collection of the saying of

  1. Bhagvan Mahavira

  2. Bhagvan Buddha

  3. Acharya Nagarjuna

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Dhammapada is a Buddhist scripture containing 423 verses said to be the actual teachings of Buddha. It is part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Pali Canon and is one of the most widely read Buddhist texts worldwide. Jain teachings are attributed to Mahavira, while Nagarjuna was a later Buddhist philosopher.

Multiple choice

Gaya is associated with

  1. the enlightenment of Buddha

  2. the birth of Buddha

  3. the Nirvan of Buddha

  4. None of these

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

Bodh Gaya in Bihar is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, becoming the Buddha. Lumbini (in Nepal) is his birthplace, Kushinagar is where he attained Parinirvana (death), and Sarnath is where he gave his first sermon. The question correctly identifies Gaya with enlightenment, not birth or Nirvana.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct for Yaduvanshi lineage?

(a) It is an offshoot of Chandravanshi. (b) The descendants of Lord Krishna belong to this clan.

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Both (a) and (b)

  4. Neither (a) nor (b)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Hindu traditional genealogy, Yaduvanshi is indeed a branch of the Chandravanshi (Lunar Dynasty). Lord Krishna, being of the Yadu lineage, is the most prominent figure associated with this clan. Both statements are historically and mythologically accurate according to ancient Indian texts and Puranic tradition.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the best option for the given statements. Assertion (A): Srutis and Smritis form the greatest treasure house of Hinduism. Reason (R): Srutis and Smritis are considered immemorial, timeless and eternal.

  1. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

  2. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

  3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.

  4. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Srutis and Smritis form the greatest treasure house of Hinduism and are considered as immemorial, timeless and eternal.