Life & Teachings of Gautama Buddha – Minimal MCQ

  1. 1) Gautama Buddha was born at:




    Correct answer: Lumbini (in the Shakya realm).
  2. 2) Buddha’s clan and family background were:




    Correct answer: Shakya; father Suddhodana.
  3. 3) The name of Buddha’s mother and foster mother were:




    Correct answer: Mahamaya & Mahapajapati Gotami.
  4. 4) Siddhartha’s wife and son were:




    Correct answer: Yashodhara & Rahula.
  5. 5) The “Four Sights” that inspired renunciation included an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and:




    Correct answer: A monk/ascetic.
  6. 6) The “Great Renunciation” traditionally occurred at age:




    Correct answer: 29.
  7. 7) Buddha attained Enlightenment at:




    Correct answer: Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi (peepal) tree.
  8. 8) The river near which Siddhartha practiced austerities before Enlightenment is:




    Correct answer: Niranjana (Phalgu).
  9. 9) The being who tempted Siddhartha during meditation is known as:




    Correct answer: Mara.
  10. 10) Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath is called the:




    Correct answer: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
  11. 11) The core of Buddha’s teaching begins with the:




    Correct answer: Four Noble Truths.
  12. 12) The path recommended by Buddha that avoids extremes is the:




    Correct answer: Middle Path (Majjhima Patipada).
  13. 13) The Noble Eightfold Path includes all of the following EXCEPT:




    Correct answer: Right Birth.
  14. 14) The “Three Marks of Existence” taught by Buddha are:




    Correct answer: Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta.
  15. 15) Buddha’s chief attendant and cousin, known for his memory, was:




    Correct answer: Ananda.
  16. 16) The first lay supporters who offered major patronage included:




    Correct answer: Bimbisara and Anathapindika.
  17. 17) The Buddhist monastic community founded by Buddha is the:




    Correct answer: Sangha.
  18. 18) The “Three Jewels” (Tri-ratna) in Buddhism are:




    Correct answer: Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha.
  19. 19) Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at:




    Correct answer: Kushinagar at about age 80.
  20. 20) Buddha’s core ethical code for lay followers is summarized in the:




    Correct answer: Five Precepts (Pañca-sila).


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