Buddhism and Jainism are two ancient Indian religions that emerged during the 6th century BCE. Both religions arose as reform movements against the rigid caste system and ritualistic practices of Vedic Brahmanism. Gautama Buddha founded Buddhism while Vardhamana Mahavira is regarded as the last Tirthankara of Jainism. These two religions share several similarities such as the rejection of Vedic authority, emphasis on non-violence, and belief in karma and rebirth. However, they differ in their approaches to salvation, ascetic practices, and philosophical doctrines.
For students preparing for UPSC, SSC, State PSC, and other competitive examinations, questions from Buddhism and Jainism frequently appear in the history section.
This blog post presents 30 well-researched multiple choice questions that cover all major aspects of both religions. Practicing these MCQs will help you strengthen your preparation and score better in exams.
30 MCQs on MCQs on Buddhism and Jainism – Indian History
Q1. Who was the founder of Buddhism?
a) Mahavira
b) Gautama Buddha
c) Rishabhadeva
d) Parsvanatha
Q2. Mahavira was born at which place?
a) Lumbini
b) Vaishali
c) Rajgir
d) Pataliputra
Q3. What is the meaning of the term “Buddha”?
a) Great Soul
b) The Enlightened One
c) The Conqueror
d) The Teacher
Q4. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at which place?
a) Sarnath
b) Kushinagar
c) Bodh Gaya
d) Lumbini
Q5. How many Tirthankaras are recognized in Jainism?
a) 12
b) 20
c) 24
d) 28
Q6. The first sermon of Buddha is known as:
a) Mahaparinirvana
b) Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta
c) Tripitaka
d) Abhidhamma
Q7. Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?
a) Bodh Gaya
b) Rajgir
c) Sarnath
d) Vaishali
Q8. Which of the following is NOT one of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?
a) Life is full of suffering
b) Desire is the cause of suffering
c) Soul is eternal and indestructible
d) Suffering can be ended by following the Eightfold Path
Q9. Mahavira belonged to which clan?
a) Shakya
b) Jnatrika
c) Licchavi
d) Koliya
Q10. The sacred texts of Buddhism are collectively called:
a) Angas
b) Tripitaka
c) Purvas
d) Upanishads
Q11. Which Jain council led to the division of Jainism into Digambara and Svetambara sects?
a) First Jain Council at Pataliputra
b) Second Jain Council at Vallabhi
c) Council at Rajgir
d) Council at Vaishali
Q12. The Three Jewels (Triratna) of Jainism include Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and:
a) Right Speech
b) Right Conduct
c) Right Meditation
d) Right Livelihood
Q13. Gautama Buddha passed away (Mahaparinirvana) at:
a) Bodh Gaya
b) Sarnath
c) Kushinagar
d) Vaishali
Q14. Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?
a) Mahavira
b) Parsvanatha
c) Rishabhadeva
d) Neminatha
Q15. The Fourth Buddhist Council was held during the reign of:
a) Ashoka
b) Kanishka
c) Harsha
d) Chandragupta Maurya
Q16. Which of the following is the main principle of Jainism?
a) Brahmacharya
b) Ahimsa (Non-violence)
c) Tapas
d) Yajna
Q17. The Digambara sect of Jainism believes that:
a) Monks should wear white clothes
b) Monks should remain without clothes
c) Women can attain salvation
d) Rituals are necessary for salvation
Q18. Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana during which Buddhist Council?
a) First Buddhist Council
b) Second Buddhist Council
c) Third Buddhist Council
d) Fourth Buddhist Council
Q19. The language used by Buddha to preach his teachings was:
a) Sanskrit
b) Pali
c) Prakrit
d) Tamil
Q20. Jain literature is written in which language?
a) Pali
b) Sanskrit
c) Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi)
d) Hindi
Q21. Which ruler was a great patron of Jainism and is said to have spread it to South India?
a) Ashoka
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Kanishka
d) Bindusara
Q22. The concept of “Anatta” in Buddhism refers to:
a) Non-violence
b) No permanent soul
c) Non-attachment
d) Non-stealing
Q23. Which of the following five vows is NOT part of Jain ethics?
a) Ahimsa (Non-violence)
b) Satya (Truth)
c) Asteya (Non-stealing)
d) Dana (Charity)
Q24. The Sutta Pitaka contains:
a) Rules of monastic discipline
b) Philosophical teachings of Buddha
c) Discourses and sermons of Buddha
d) Commentaries on Buddhist texts
Q25. Syadvada or Anekantavada is a doctrine associated with:
a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Hinduism
d) Sikhism
Q26. Who presided over the First Buddhist Council?
a) Ananda
b) Upali
c) Mahakassapa
d) Moggaliputta Tissa
Q27. The Kalpa Sutra is a sacred text of:
a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Hinduism
d) Zoroastrianism
Q28. According to Buddhism, the middle path avoids the extremes of:
a) Wealth and poverty
b) Self-indulgence and self-mortification
c) Knowledge and ignorance
d) Love and hatred
Q29. Which of the following was the royal patron who helped spread Buddhism outside India?
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Bimbisara
c) Ashoka
d) Samudragupta
Q30. The concept of “Santhara” or fasting unto death is associated with:
a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Hinduism
d) Sikhism
Correct Answers
- b) Gautama Buddha
- b) Vaishali
- b) The Enlightened One
- c) Bodh Gaya
- c) 24
- b) Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta
- c) Sarnath
- c) Soul is eternal and indestructible
- b) Jnatrika
- b) Tripitaka
- a) First Jain Council at Pataliputra
- b) Right Conduct
- c) Kushinagar
- c) Rishabhadeva
- b) Kanishka
- b) Ahimsa (Non-violence)
- b) Monks should remain without clothes
- d) Fourth Buddhist Council
- b) Pali
- c) Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi)
- b) Chandragupta Maurya
- b) No permanent soul
- d) Dana (Charity)
- c) Discourses and sermons of Buddha
- b) Jainism
- c) Mahakassapa
- b) Jainism
- b) Self-indulgence and self-mortification
- c) Ashoka
- b) Jainism
Conclusion
Buddhism and Jainism are two of the most important topics in Indian ancient history for competitive exams. Both religions have shaped Indian culture, art, architecture, and philosophy in lasting ways. The MCQs presented in this blog post cover the founders, teachings, councils, sacred texts, sects, and royal patrons of both religions.
Regular practice of these questions will help you identify patterns in how examiners frame questions from this topic. Make sure you also read about the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Jainism in detail. Bookmark this page and revise these MCQs before your exam for the best results.