Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings

Question:

Gautam Buddha's teachings were compiled by his disciples after his death at which of the following place?

Options:

Sarnath

Bodhgaya

Vesali/Vaishali

Sanchi

Correct Answer:

Vesali/Vaishali

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) → Vesali/Vaishali

The Buddha (and other teachers) taught orally – through discussion and debate. Men and women (perhaps children as well) attended these discourses and discussed what they heard. None of the Buddha’s speeches were written down during his lifetime. After his death (c. fifth-fourth century BCE) his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of “elders” or senior monks at Vesali (Pali for Vaishali in present-day Bihar). These compilations were known as Tipitaka – literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified according to length as well as subject matter.