Question

UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

Avanti

Gandhara

Kosala

Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Option 3: 3 and 4 only

Explanation:

Avanti was not directly associated with the life of Buddha. Buddha belonged to the Shakya clan whose capital was Kapilavastu, and who were later annexed by the growing Kingdom of Kosala during the Buddha's lifetime. So, point 1 is not correct.
Gandhara is not directly associated with the life of Buddha. It was through the expansion of the Maurya empire that Gandhara received much Buddhist influence, notably during the reign of Ashoka. So, point 2 is not correct.
Important holy locations related to the life of Buddha are known as Astamahasthanas:
- Sravasti - It was located in Uttar Pradesh and most of the monastic life of Buddha was spent in Shravasti. In Buddha’s times, Shravasti was the capital of the Kosala Kingdom. So, point 3 is correct.
- Rajgir - During the 5th century BC, Buddha preached his ideas at Rajgir, and King Bimbisara provided him with a forest monastery. It was here that Budhha delivered his famous Atanatiya Sutta. It was the capital of the kingdom of Magadha, which later on became the Mauryan Empire. So, point 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Knowledge Box

- Lumbini - Lumbini is currently located in the Kapilavastu district of Nepal. It is the birthplace of Buddha. At the time of the birth of Buddha, Lumbini was a part of Shakya Janapada, which was a republic.
- Bodhgaya - It is located in Bihar on the bank of river Neranjana. It is known as a place of enlightenment of Buddha.
- Sarnath - Where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon or Dhammachakra Pravartan Sutta. At the time of Buddha, it was a part of Kashi Janapada.
- Kushinagara - It is the site of Buddha’s death and mahaparinirvana. At the time of Buddha’s death, it was the capital of Malla Janapada.
- Sankasya - It is currently located in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Some people related to Buddhism hold this belief that Buddha after his death descended from heaven here.
Vaishali - Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time here. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon before his death in 483 BCE, at Vaishali and announced his Nirvana here.