Buddhism MCQ: Buddha's First Sermon & the Four Buddhist Councils

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

1. Q1.At which place did Mahatma Buddha give his first 'Dhammachakkhapavathana'?

   • A.Lumbini
   • B.Sarnath✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Pataliputra
   • D.Vaishali

   Explanation: After his enlightenment, Buddha went to Sarnath, where he delivered his first sermon known as 'Dhammachakkhapavathana'.

2. Q2.Where did Buddha preach his first sermon?

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

   Explanation: Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath (Rishipattan) called 'Dharmachakrapravartana'.

3. Q3.Who gave his first sermon in Sarnath?

   • A.Mahavir
   • B.Sankaracharya
   • C.Mahatma Buddha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Guru Nanak

   Explanation: From Uruvela (Bodh Gaya) Buddha first reached Rishipattan (Sarnath) where he gave the first sermon.

4. Q4.Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at

   • A.Vaishali
   • B.Kaushambi
   • C.Sarnath✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Pawapuri

   Explanation: Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath.

5. Q5.In Buddhist text 'Dharmachakra Parvartana' is known as -

   • A.His (Buddha) sight
   • B.First Sermon at Sarnath✓ Correct Answer
   • C.His religious norms
   • D.Buddha rituals

   Explanation: Buddha's first sermon is termed as 'Dharmachakrapravartana'.

6. Q6.Gautam Buddha gave the maximum sermons at which place?

   • A.Vaishali
   • B.Shravasti✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kaushambi
   • D.Rajgriha

   Explanation: Most of the disciples of Gautama Buddha were from Kosala region. He delivered his maximum sermons at Shravasti, the capital of Kosala.

7. Q7.What does 'Triratna' mean in Buddhism?

   • A.Tripitaka
   • B.Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Sheel, Samadhi, Sangha
   • D.Satya, Ahinsa, Karuna

   Explanation: Buddha, Dhamma and Sangh are three jewels (Triratna) of Buddhism.

8. Q8.Buddha visited Kaushambi during the reign of which king?

   • A.Satanika
   • B.Udayana✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Bodhi
   • D.Nicakshu

   Explanation: Mahatama Buddha visited Kaushambi during the reign of King Udayana. It was his 9th resting place. Under the influence of Pindola Bharadwaj, Udayan turned to Buddhism.

9. Q9.Who presided over the First Buddhist Conference after the death of Buddha?

   • A.Mahakashyapa✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Dharmasen
   • C.Ajatashatru
   • D.Nagasen

   Explanation: The first Buddhist Council was held soon after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha, under the patronage of King Ajatshatru with the monk Mahakasapa presiding.

10. Q10.Where is 'Saptaparni Cave' situated?

    • A.Sanchi
    • B.Nalanda
    • C.Rajgriha✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Pawapuri

    Explanation: The first Buddhist Council was held at Rajgriha, in the Saptaparni Cave.

11. Q11.Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir?

    • A.Parsva
    • B.Nagarjuna
    • C.Sudraka
    • D.Vasumitra✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir under the patronage of Kushan King Kanishka and the president of this council was Vasumitra.

12. Q12.Which of the following rulers convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir?

    • A.Ashoka
    • B.Ajatashatru
    • C.Kanishka✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kalashoka

    Explanation: The Fourth Buddhist Council was held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir (Kundalvana).

13. Q13.'Mahayana' sect and Buddhism emerged during the reign of -

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

    Explanation: The Fourth Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka divided Buddhism into two sects, namely Hinayana and Mahayana.

14. Q14.Arrange the following places of Buddhist Councils in chronological order: 1. Vaishali 2. Rajgriha 3. Kundalavana 4. Pataliputra

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

    Explanation: 1st Council: Rajgriha; 2nd Council: Vaishali; 3rd Council: Pataliputra; 4th Council: Kundalavana.

15. Q15.Second Buddhist Council was held at which place?

    • A.Rajgriha
    • B.Vaishali✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pataliputra
    • D.Kashi

    Explanation: The second council took place during the reign of Kalasoka after 100 years of Buddha's death in Vaishali.

16. Q16.Where was the Third Buddhist Council held?

    • A.Taxila
    • B.Sarnath
    • C.Bodhgaya
    • D.Pataliputra✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The third council was held during the reign of Ashoka at Pataliputra.

17. Q17.The First Buddhist Council was held during the reign of -

    • A.Aniruddha
    • B.Ajatashatru✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bimbisara
    • D.Udayin

    Explanation: The first Buddhist Council was held soon after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha, under the patronage of King Ajatshatru.

18. Q18.Who was the Vice-President of the Fourth Buddhist Council?

    • A.Vasumitra
    • B.Ashwaghosh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nagarjuna
    • D.Mahakassapa

    Explanation: The president of the fourth council was Vasumitra, with Ashwaghosh as his deputy president (Vice President).

19. Q19.Who presided over the Third Buddhist Council?

    • A.Mahakassapa
    • B.Sabakami
    • C.Moggaliputta Tissa✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Vasumitra

    Explanation: The Third Buddhist Council (247 BC) was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.

20. Q20.According to the text, the 'Mahasanghika' sect was led by whom?

    • A.Mahakachchayan
    • B.Mahakasappa✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Upali
    • D.Ananda

    Explanation: Those who believed in traditional faith were called 'Sthavir' or 'Theravadi' (led by Mahakachchayan). Those who accepted the change were called 'Mahasanghika' and were led by Mahakasappa.