Buddhism MCQ: Buddha's Birth, Mahabhinishkramana & Mahaparinirvana

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.When was Gautam Buddha born?

   • A.563 B.C.✓ Correct Answer
   • B.561 B.C.
   • C.558 B.C.
   • D.544 B.C.

   Explanation: Gautam Buddha, also known as Siddhartha, was born in 563 B.C. in a Shakya Kshatriya family in Lumbini near Kapilvastu.

2. Q2.Which of the events of Buddha's life is known as 'Mahabhinishkramana'?

   • A.His death
   • B.His birth
   • C.His departure from home✓ Correct Answer
   • D.His attainment of enlightenment

   Explanation: At the age of 29, he left his home on his horse 'Kantaka' accompanied by Channa and this was called 'Mahabhinishkramana'.

3. Q3.Gautam Buddha's Mother was from which clan?

   • A.Shakya clan
   • B.Maya clan
   • C.Licchavis clan
   • D.Koliyan clan✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: His father's name was Shuddhodana who was the chief of the Shakya clan. His mother was Mayadevi or Mahamaya who was from the Koliyan clan.

4. Q4.Gautam Buddha was born at -

   • A.Vaishali
   • B.Lumbini✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kapilvastu
   • D.Patliputra

   Explanation: Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini near Kapilavastu in 563 BC.

5. Q5.Which of these is another name of Buddha?

   • A.Parth
   • B.Prachhanna
   • C.Gudakesh
   • D.None of these✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Parth and Gudakesh were the names of Arjuna of Mahabharat. Mihir and Prachhanna were not the names of the Buddha.

6. Q6.From which inscriptions of the following dynasty Lumbini was known as Buddha's birthplace?

   • A.Mauryan✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Shung
   • C.Satavahana
   • D.Kushan

   Explanation: From the Mauryan dynasty emperor Ashoka's Rummindei Pillar inscription, it is known that Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

7. Q7.Which one of the following inscriptions of Ashoka confirms the tradition that Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini?

   • A.Basarh Pillar Inscription
   • B.Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription
   • C.Rampurwa Pillar Inscription
   • D.Rummindei Pillar Inscription✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: According to the Rummindei Pillar inscription, King Ashoka came here in the 20th year of his coronation and worshipped the place where Shakya Muni was born.

8. Q8.The inscription of which one of the following kings gives the information that Sakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini?

   • A.Ashoka✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Kanishka
   • C.Harsha
   • D.Dharmapala

   Explanation: From the Mauryan dynasty emperor Ashoka's Rummindei Pillar inscription, it is known that Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

9. Q9.Where did Mahatma Buddha's 'Mahaparinirvan' take place?

   • A.Lumbini
   • B.Bodh Gaya
   • C.Kushinagar✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Kapilvastu

   Explanation: He died in Kushinagar (Kushinara) in 483 BC at the age of 80. This event is known as Mahaparinirvan.

10. Q10.Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in the Republic of the-

    • A.Mallas✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Lichchavi
    • C.Sakyas
    • D.Palas

    Explanation: Buddha reached Kushinara (Capital of Republic of Malla). Here he abandoned his body in 483 BC. It is also known as Mahaparinirvan.

11. Q11.Gautam Buddha attained 'Mahaparinirvana' in kingdom of -

    • A.Aung
    • B.Magadha
    • C.Malla✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Vatsa

    Explanation: He died in Kushinagar (capital of the Republic Mall) in 483 BC at the age of 80.

12. Q12.Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana at which place?

    • A.Kusinara✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Shravasti
    • C.Lumbini
    • D.Sarnath

    Explanation: He died in Kushinagar (Kushinara) in 483 BC. In Buddhist texts, this event is called 'Mahaparinirvana'.

13. Q13.Mahaparinirvana Temple is located at

    • A.Kushinagar✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Sarnath
    • C.Bodh Gaya
    • D.Shravasti

    Explanation: Mahaparinirvana temple is located in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh. Statue of Lord Buddha in the temple was obtained by excavation in 1876 AD.

14. Q14.Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

    • A.1, 2 and 3
    • B.2 and 4
    • C.3 and 4 only✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1, 3 and 4

    Explanation: From the given kingdoms, Gautam Buddha was associated with Kosala and Magadha kingdom. He visited these two kingdoms to propagate his teachings.

15. Q15.Who was the last person to get enlightenment from Gautam Buddha?

    • A.Anand
    • B.Sariputta
    • C.Mogglan
    • D.Subhadda✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Gautam Buddha, in his last years, went to Kushinagar where he gave his last Sermon to 'Subhaddha'.

16. Q16.Who amongst the following was the last person converted by the Buddha?

    • A.Anand
    • B.Vasumitra
    • C.Goshal
    • D.Subhadda✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: He went to Kushinagar (Kushinara) and here he gave his last sermon to Subhadda.

17. Q17.Where did Buddha reside during the last rainy season of his life?

    • A.Shravasti
    • B.Vaishali✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kushinagar
    • D.Sarnath

    Explanation: Buddha resided in Vaishali during the last rainy season of his life. He reached Beluva which was in the suburb of Vaishali to spend his time.

18. Q18.Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?

    • A.The extinction of the flame of desire✓ Correct Answer
    • B.The complete annihilation of self
    • C.A state of bliss and rest
    • D.A mental stage beyond all comprehension

    Explanation: The literal meaning of the word Nirvana is 'blown out' and it can be seen as the state of extinction of the flame of desire.

19. Q19.Who was Alara Kalama?

    • A.A disciple of Buddha
    • B.A distinguished Buddhist monk
    • C.A king of Buddha's time
    • D.A teacher of Buddha✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Alara Kalama was one of the best and well known religious teachers. Ascetic Buddha went to study under him.

20. Q20.The ruler of Suvarnabhumi, who founded a Buddhist monastery at Nalanda and requested Devapala through his ambassador to grant five villages for its maintenance, was

    • A.Dharanindra
    • B.Sangramadhananjaya
    • C.Balaputradeva✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Chudamanivarmana

    Explanation: Balaputradeva was the ruler of Suvarnabhumi who founded a Buddhist monastery at Nalanda and requested Devapala for the grant.