[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 9 September 2023

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Magadha, Kosala, Vaishali, Vajji etc were the kingdoms and regions that the wandering Buddha covered relentlessly.
• Jetavana (Jeta garden) was perhaps the best known amongst the beautiful gardens provided to Buddha’s entourage and it was close to Sravasthi, capital of the Kosala kingdom.
• Perhaps the second-most important monastic resort of Buddha was the “bamboo grove” in Rajgriha, capital of Magadha, provided by king Bimbisara.
• http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/2_14lbud.htm
• http://creative.sulekha.com/the-beautiful-courtesan-amrapali-in-the-life-of-buddha_595970_blog

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/phanigiri-artefacts/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: It is central to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
• In non-Mahayana Buddhism, it usually refers either to Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, or to the historical Buddha Gautama prior to his enlightenment.
• Statement 2 and 3: A bodhisattva is literally a living being (sattva) who aspires to enlightenment (bodhi) and carries out altruistic practices. The bodhisattva ideal is central to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition as the individual who seeks enlightenment both for him- or herself and for others. Clearly 2 is correct.
• Compassion, an empathetic sharing of the sufferings of others, is the bodhisattva’s greatest characteristic.
• It is held that the bodhisattva makes four vows expressing a determination to work for the happiness of others: “However innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them; however inexhaustible the passions are, I vow to master them; however limitless the teachings are, I vow to study them; however infinite the Buddha-truth is, I vow to attain it.”
• Clearly 3 is correct.
• http://www.sgi.org/about-us/buddhism-in-daily-life/bodhisattva.html

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/phanigiri-artefacts/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Maitreya is regarded as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he is referred to as Ajita.
• According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma.
• According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor to the present Buddha, Gautama Buddha (also known as Śākyamuni Buddha).
• The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya refers to a time in the future when the dharma will have been forgotten by most on the terrestrial world Maitreya has also been adopted for his millenarian role by many non-Buddhist religions in the past, such as the White Lotus, as well as by modern new religious movements, such as Yiguandao
• Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/phanigiri-artefacts/

Ans; (d)

Explanation:

• Buddhas and bodhisattvas are central elements of Mahāyāna. Mahāyāna’s vastly expanded cosmology, with various Buddhas and bodhisattvas residing in different worlds and buddha-fields.
• This is shown through the depiction of buddhas and bodhisattvas through image worship and rituals in monasteries and viharas.
• See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana#Doctrine

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/phanigiri-artefacts/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: They were Theravadins.
• S2: The Mahāsāṃghikas school was first located in the area of Vaiśālī and spread also to southern India, with centres at Amarāvatī and Nāgārjunakoṇḍa. Its texts were written in Prākrit. It further divided into several subsects, of which the best known was the Lokottaravāda (so called because of its views on lokottara).
• The Lokottaravāda was one of the early Buddhist schools according to Mahayana doxological sources compiled by Bhāviveka, Vinitadeva and others
• S3: The Mahāsaṅghikas believed in a plurality of buddhas who are supramundane (lokottara) and held that what passed for Gautama Buddha in his earthly existence was only an apparition.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/phanigiri-artefacts/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The West Bengal Assembly has declared Poila Baishakh (April 15), the first day of the Bengali calendar, as the statehood day and designated Rabindranath Tagore’s “Banglar mati, Banglar jol” as the state anthem.
• Bangadarsana was a Bengali literary magazine edited by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay and later by Rabindranath Tagore.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/banglar-mati-banglar-jol/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Dark Patterns involve intentionally deceptive design strategies. They can include tactics like hiding or misleading information, making it difficult to opt out of services, or creating a sense of urgency to pressure users into actions they may not want to take.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/draft-guidelines-for-prevention-and-regulation-of-dark-patterns/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is a tool used by central banks to control inflation. When inflation is rising, the central bank may increase the CRR, requiring banks to hold a higher percentage of their deposits in reserve. This reduces the amount of money banks can lend, which can help reduce overall spending and inflationary pressures in the economy.
• Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the discontinuation of the incremental cash reserve ratio (I-CRR) in a phased manner.
• The I-CRR was aimed at absorbing surplus liquidity in the banking system, primarily due to various factors like the return of Rs 2,000 banknotes, government spending, and capital inflows.
• About I-CRR:
  • Banks are typically required to maintain 4.5 per cent of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities as CRR with the RBI.
  • However, in periods of excess liquidity, the RBI can impose incremental CRR, which means that banks will have to park even more liquid cash with the RBI. This measure helps the central bank manage liquidity and acts as a buffer during times of stress in the banking system.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/incremental-cash-reserve-ratio/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: India is proposing the creation of a Global Biofuels Alliance, which is likely to be launched during the G20 summit.
• This initiative aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable biofuels and reduce the world’s dependency on traditional fossil fuels.
• India sees this alliance as a means to advance energy transitions in developing countries and promote a circular economy.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/global-biofuels-alliance/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• A powerful earthquake struck Morocco, affecting areas including the Atlas Mountains and the historic city of Marrakech. Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa, and this was described as the strongest ever recorded in the mountain region.
• Morocco lies along the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. Here the two massive plates interact, and their movements can result in seismic activity.
• Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, is distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/09/morocco/