Match List I with List II:
| LIST I Symbols | LIST II Meaning in Buddha's life | ||
| A. | Empty seat | I. | Enlightenment |
| B. | Stupa | II. | Mahaparinibbana |
| C. | Wheel | III. | Meditation of Buddha |
| D. | Bodhi Tree | IV. | First sermon of the Buddha |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I
A. Empty seat — this matches III. Meditation of Buddha. Early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form; the empty seat was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha.
B. Stupa — this matches II. Mahaparinibbana. The stupa was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana, the Buddha’s passing away.
C. Wheel — this matches IV. First sermon of the Buddha. The wheel stood for the first sermon, delivered at Sarnath.
D. Bodhi Tree — this matches I. Enlightenment. The Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree, so the tree symbolised an event in his life.
NCERT (2026-27): “9.2 Symbols of worship … Art historians had to acquire familiarity with hagiographies of the Buddha in order to understand Buddhist sculpture. According to hagiographies, the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form – instead, they showed his presence through symbols. The empty seat (Fig. 4.14) was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa (Fig. 4.15) was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana. Another frequently used symbol was the wheel (Fig. 4.16). This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath. As is obvious, such sculptures cannot be understood literally – for instance, the tree does not stand simply for a tree, but symbolises an event in the life of the Buddha.…” |