1995 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies

Question 88: History and Culture

The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by

aMahayana Buddhism
bHinayana Buddhism
cJainism
dthe Lokayata school

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Anuvrata means 'small vows'. Jainism prescribes five great vows (mahavratas) for monks and nuns, and the lighter anuvratas for lay followers: non-violence, truth, non-stealing, chastity or restraint, and non-possession. Buddhism, in both its forms, stresses the Eightfold Path and the five precepts, and the Lokayata school was materialist. Remember: mahavrata for ascetics, anuvrata for householders in Jainism.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Mahayana Buddhism stresses compassion and the bodhisattva ideal, not the anuvratas.
  • (b) Hinayana Buddhism follows the Eightfold Path and five precepts, not the anuvratas.
  • (c) Right: Jainism.
  • (d) The Lokayata school was materialist and had no such vows.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.