2018 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

Question 74: History and Culture

With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?

aAvalokiteshvara
bLokesvara
cMaitreya
dPadmapani

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Maitreya is the future Buddha in Buddhist tradition, who will appear when the teachings of Gautama Buddha have been forgotten, to save the world. Avalokiteshvara, also called Padmapani or Lokesvara, is the Bodhisattva of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism, not a Buddha yet to come. Hence Maitreya is the answer.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of compassion.
  • (b) Lokesvara is another name of Avalokiteshvara.
  • (c) Right: Maitreya is the Buddha to come.
  • (d) Padmapani, the lotus-bearer, is also Avalokiteshvara.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.