UGC-NET (NTA) Exam, BUDDHIST, JAINA, GANDHIAN AND PEACE STUDIES, August-2024

(a) All-embraced suffering applies to all beings irrespective of their karma or action. This is correct. Samskara Dukhata refers to the pervasive suffering inherent in the very nature of existence, tied to the impermanent and conditioned nature. of reality.
It's not dependent on specific actions in a particular lifetime, but rather the underlying dissatisfaction that comes with being subject to change, decay, and death.
(b) Suffering of Change makes us fool as it appears in the form of happiness. This is also correct. Viparinama Dukhata highlights that even experiences we perceive as pleasurable are ultimately sources of suffering because they are impermanent. They change, and when they do, they can lead to disappointment, craving, and dissatisfaction. The happiness we derive from them is fleeting.
(c) Suffering caused by Suffering is the suffering that is recognized by all even and tried to avoid it. This is correct. Dukha-Dukhata is the most obvious form of suffering - physical pain, emotional distress, etc. It's the kind of suffering we readily recognize and naturally try to avoid.
(d) Suffering of change converts the suffering into happiness as its name signifies. This is incorrect. The suffering of change doesn't convert suffering into happiness. It reveals that even seemingly happy experiences are subject to change and can become sources of suffering.
(e) All embraced suffering is the kind of suffering that enables you to embrace you suffering. This is incorrect. While understanding Samskara Dukhata can lead to greater acceptance and wisdom, it doesn't "enable you to embrace your suffering" in the way the statement suggests. It's more about recognizing the inherent suffering of conditioned existence.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a), (b), and (c) only.

Several kings in India and Tibet were responsible for persecuting Buddhism:
• Pushyamitra Shunga (2nd century BCE): He was the founder of the Shunga dynasty and is traditionally believed to have persecuted Buddhists, allegedly destroying monasteries and killing monks. (Statement (a) is correct).
• Lang Darma (9th century CE, Tibet): A Tibetan king who was known for suppressing Buddhism and promoting Bon (the indigenous religion of Tibet). He ordered the closing of monasteries and forced Buddhist monks to return to lay life. (Statement (c) is correct).
Other statements mentioning Kanishka, Ashoka, and Anawrahta are incorrect, as these rulers were known for promoting rather than persecuting Buddhism. Hence, the correct answer is (a) and (c) only.

The Vaibhasika school is an early Buddhist Abhidharma tradition, particularly influential in Kashmir.
• Vaibhasikas studied Abhidharma and were a branch of the Sarvastivada school. (Statement (b) is correct).
• The school was highly influential in North India, particularly in Kashmir. (Statement (c) is correct).
• They referred to their tradition as Yuktavada (doctrine of reasoning) and Hetuvada (doctrine of causes). (Statement (d) is correct).
However, the claim that Vaibhasikas had nothing to do with Sarvastivada is incorrect, as they were a sub-school of Sarvastivada. Thus, the correct answer is (b), (c), and (d) only.

Scholars who played a role in discovering and deciphering Ashokan inscriptions include:
• Lal Chand Sharma: Contributed to the study and identification of inscriptions. (Statement (a) is correct).
• Benjamin Lewin Rice: Worked extensively on inscriptions in South India, including Ashokan edicts. (Statement (c) is correct).
C. Beadon: A British officer who contributed to early efforts in deciphering inscriptions. (Statement (e) is correct). Other scholars like Hermann Oldenberg and Edwin Arnold were more involved in Buddhist studies and literature rather than discovering Ashokan inscriptions. Hence, the correct answer is (a), (c), and (e) only.

In Buddhism, the 'feeling aggregate (Vedana Skandha) consists of different emotional experiences:
• Happiness (Sukha Vedana): Refers to pleasurable sensations. (Statement (a) is correct).
• Craving (Trishna): The desire that arises due to pleasant sensations and leads to attachment and suffering. (Statement (c) is correct).
•  Suffering (Dukkha Vedana): The painful experiences that arise due to various causes. (Statement (d) is correct). Neutral feelings (Statement (b)) and stabilization (Statement (e)) are not considered part of the feeling aggregate. Thus, the correct answer is (a), (c), and (d) only.

Rajgriha (modern-day Rajgir) was an important religious and historical site in ancient India, particularly in Buddhism and Jainism.
• Pakudha Kaccayana and Makkhali Gosala were among the early philosophers who lived in Rajgriha. (Statement (a) is correct).
• Griddhakuta Hill (Vulture's Peak) is located in Rajgriha and is known as a place where Gautama Buddha delivered many sermons. (Statement (d) is correct).
• Veluvana (Bamboo Grove Monastery) was a park gifted by King Bimbisara to the Buddha, becoming one of the first monasteries for Buddhist monks. (Statement (e) is correct).
• However, Sattapanni Cave is not in Nalanda but in Rajgriha, where the First Buddhist Council was held. (Statement (c) is incorrect).
• Ajita Kesakambali was not a teacher at Vikramshila University but a philosopher who debated Buddhist concepts. (Statement (b) is incorrect). Hence, the correct answer is (a), (d), and (e) only.

The correct answer is C. (a) and (c) only.
(a) Ajanta caves were made during the reign of Vakatakas: This is correct. While the caves' creation spanned several centuries, the Vakataka dynasty was a significant period of construction.
(c) Ajanta caves are above the Waghora river: This is also correct. The caves are located in a horseshoe-shaped gorge of the Waghora river.
The other options are incorrect:
(b) Ajanta caves are non-Buddhist caves: This is incorrect. The Ajanta caves are primarily Buddhist, though some Hindu deities are also depicted later. (d) Ajanta caves were made by Muslims: This is incorrect. The caves were carved by Buddhist monks and artisans.
(e) Ajanta caves are near the Tomb of Aurangzeb: This is incorrect. The Tomb of Aurangzeb is in Khuldabad, which is some distance from Ajanta. Thus, the correct answer is (a) and (c) only.

Acharya Kundakunda was a renowned Jain philosopher and scholar who authored several key texts.
• Astapahuda (Eight Steps) is one of his works on spiritual and ethical development. (Statement (c) is correct).
• Pancastikaya (Five Existences) deals with Jain metaphysics and the nature of reality. (Statement (d) is correct).
• He contributed to Bhakti literature, emphasizing devotion and discipline in Jainism. (Statement (a) is correct).
• However, Bhagavati Aradhana is not attributed to him. (Statement (b) is incorrect).
• Jain Yoga Works are not among his major texts. (Statement (e) is incorrect).
Therefore, the correct answer is (a), (c) and (d) only.

Acharya Hemachandra was a Jain scholar, grammarian, and philosopher during the 12th century CE.
• He was the author of Pramanamimamsa, which dealt with Jain epistemology and logic. (Statement (b) is correct).
• Dhandhuka in Gujarat is believed to be his birthplace. (Statement (d) is correct).
• However, Devendra Suri was a different Jain Acharya, not another name for Hemachandra. (Statement (a) is incorrect).
• Haribhadra Suri and Hemachandra were not Gurubhais (disciples of the same guru). (Statement (c) is incorrect).
• Hemachandra lived in the 12th century, not the 10th century. (Statement (e) is incorrect). Hence, the correct answer is (b) and (d( only.

Acharya Hemachandra was a significant figure in Jain literature and Sanskrit grammar.
• He was born in the 11th century CE (1088 CE). (Statement (b) is correct).
• Dhandhuka (Gujarat) was his birthplace. (Statement (c) is correct).
• However, he was not born in Rajasthan; he was from Gujarat. (Statement (a) is incorrect).
• His works were in both Prakrit and Sanskrit, not only in Prakrit. (Statement (d) is incorrect).
• Samaraiccakaha was written by Haribhadra Suri, not Hemachandra. (Statement (e) is incorrect). Thus, the correct answer is (b) and (c) only.