Question

Sequence of life events of Buddha is __________.
• A. Mahābhiniṣkramaṇa
• B. Birth
• C. Mahāparinirvāṇa
• D. Dharmacakrapravartana
• E. Nirvāṇa Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. E, B, D, A, C
• B. B, A, E, D, C
• C. A, B, C, E, D
• D. B, E, C, D, A

Hint:

Remember the four major sacred Buddhist places in sequence:
• Lumbinī -- Birth
• Bodh Gayā -- Enlightenment
• Sārnāth -- First Sermon
• Kuśinagara -- Mahāparinirvāṇa This sequence helps in solving chronology questions related to Buddha’s life.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The life of Gautama Buddha follows a clear chronological progression beginning from his birth as Prince Siddhārtha and ending with his Mahāparinirvāṇa. Understanding the sequence of these events is essential in Buddhist history and philosophy.

Step 1: Identifying each event correctly.
• B. Birth: Siddhārtha Gautama was born at Lumbinī to King Śuddhodana and Queen Māyādevī.
• A. Mahābhiniṣkramaṇa: This refers to the Great Renunciation when Siddhārtha left palace life at the age of 29 in search of truth.
• E. Nirvāṇa: After years of meditation and austerity, Siddhārtha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gayā.
• D. Dharmacakrapravartana: After enlightenment, Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sārnāth, known as the “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.”
• C. Mahāparinirvāṇa: At the age of 80, Buddha passed away at Kuśinagara, entering final Nirvāṇa.

Step 2: Arranging the events chronologically. Now place the events in their historical order: \[ \text{Birth} \rightarrow \text{Mahābhiniṣkramaṇa} \rightarrow \text{Nirvāṇa} \rightarrow \text{Dharmacakrapravartana} \rightarrow \text{Mahāparinirvāṇa} \] Therefore: \[ B \rightarrow A \rightarrow E \rightarrow D \rightarrow C \]

Step 3: Comparing with the given options. Checking the options carefully:
• Option (1): Incorrect
• Option (2): Correct
• Option (3): Incorrect
• Option (4): Incorrect Thus, the correct answer is option (2).

Step 4: Final Conclusion. The chronological order of Buddha’s life events begins with birth, followed by renunciation, enlightenment, first sermon, and finally Mahāparinirvāṇa. Hence, option (2) is correct.