Q1. With reference to the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, consider the following statements:
- It is recorded in the Samyutta Nikaya (SN 56.11) of the Sutta Pitaka.
- It was delivered at Isipatana (Sarnath) on the full moon day of Ashadha (Asalha Puja).
- It elaborates the doctrine of Dependent Origination (12 Nidanas) in detail.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Q1. (A)
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — Located in Samyutta Nikaya, Chapter 56 (Sacca Samyutta), Sutta 11.
- Statement 2: Correct — Delivered at Isipatana (modern Sarnath) around 5th century BCE, commemorated as Asalha Puja.
- Statement 3: Incorrect — Focus is on Four Noble Truths + Eightfold Path, not detailed 12 Nidanas (that appears in other discourses like Mahānidāna Sutta).
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Anattalakkhana Sutta (Second Sermon):
- It is found in the Vinaya Pitaka.
- It explains the doctrine of non-self through analysis of five aggregates (Pancakkhandha).
- It resulted in the attainment of Arhatship by all five ascetics (Pancavaggiya monks).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 3 only
Q2. (A)
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Incorrect — It is in Samyutta Nikaya (SN 22.59), not Vinaya Pitaka.
- Statement 2: Correct — Analyses five aggregates: Rupa (form), Vedana (feeling), Sanna (perception), Sankhara (mental formations), Vinnana (consciousness).
- Statement 3: Correct — According to Pali Canon, all five ascetics attained Arhatship immediately after this sermon, marking formation of the first Sangha of 6 Arhats (including Buddha).
Q3. Which of the following correctly describes the chronology and doctrinal progression of early Buddhist sermons?
A. Dependent Origination → Four Noble Truths → Anatta
B. Four Noble Truths → Anatta → Dependent Origination
C. Anatta → Dependent Origination → Four Noble Truths
D. Four Noble Truths → Dependent Origination → Anatta
Q3. (B)
Explanation:
- First Sermon: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta → Four Noble Truths + Middle Path
- Second Sermon: Anattalakkhana Sutta → Non-self doctrine
- Later elaboration: Pratityasamutpada (Dependent Origination) → fully elaborated in texts like Mahānidāna Sutta (DN 15)
- Thus, correct order: FNT → Anatta → Dependent Origination
Q4. With reference to Buddhist sermon literature, consider the following statements:
- The Mahaparinibbana Sutta (DN 16) belongs to the Digha Nikaya.
- It provides detailed exposition of the Noble Eightfold Path.
- It records the last journey of Buddha from Rajagriha to Kushinagara covering ~250 km.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only
Q4. (A)
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — Found in Digha Nikaya, Sutta 16.
- Statement 2: Incorrect — Focus is on Buddha’s final days, relics, political instructions (e.g., Vajjians’ governance principles), not detailed Eightfold Path teaching.
- Statement 3: Correct — Narrates final journey from Rajagriha → Vaishali → Kushinagara (~250 km in Gangetic plains).
Q5. Consider the following statements about Buddhist sermons and textual preservation:
- The earliest sermons were compiled in the First Buddhist Council (Rajagriha, c. 483 BCE) under Mahakassapa.
- The Sutta Pitaka was orally recited by Ananda, who is said to have memorised over 80,000 teachings.
- The sermons were first written down in Sri Lanka during the reign of King Vattagamani Abhaya (1st century BCE).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 2 only
Q5. (B)
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — First Council at Rajagriha (Saptaparni cave) around 483 BCE; Mahakassapa presided.
- Statement 2: Correct — Ananda recited Sutta Pitaka; tradition attributes ~84,000 dhamma teachings (symbolic but widely cited).
- Statement 3: Correct — Canon first written in Pali at Alu Vihara (Sri Lanka) during 1st century BCE under Vattagamani Abhaya due to famine threat to oral tradition.
