Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 52

What religion is built on works and moral behavior and states that once a man has absolutely freed himself from his selfish cravings, he enter into "nirvana," the state of absolute peace and happiness where one loses himself into nothingness?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the concept of "nirvana" and the path to achieving it.

Correct Answer: A) Buddhism

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

Buddhism is a religion and philosophical tradition that originated in ancient India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha. The core belief of Buddhism is that suffering arises from craving and attachment, and that the cessation of craving leads to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of Nirvana, a state of absolute peace and happiness.

The path to Nirvana in Buddhism is known as the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. This path emphasizes moral behavior and ethical conduct as essential steps towards achieving Nirvana. The ultimate goal in Buddhism is to free oneself from the cycle of rebirth and suffering by eliminating all selfish cravings and desires.

While other religions and philosophies such as Hinduism, Confucianism, and Taoism also emphasize moral behavior and ethical living, they do not have the same concept of Nirvana or the cessation of desire as a path to enlightenment. Hinduism, for example, focuses on the concept of Moksha, which is liberation from the cycle of rebirth, but it does not have the same emphasis on the cessation of desire as Buddhism does.

Confucianism, on the other hand, is a philosophical system that emphasizes moral and social values, but it does not have a concept of Nirvana or the cessation of desire as a path to enlightenment. Taoism focuses on living in harmony with the Tao, the natural order of the universe, but it does not have the same concept of Nirvana or the cessation of desire as Buddhism does.

Therefore, the religion that is built on works and moral behavior and states that once a man has absolutely freed himself from his selfish cravings, he enters into Nirvana, the state of absolute peace and happiness where one loses himself into nothingness, is Buddhism.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This is the correct answer. Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Buddha, which emphasize moral behavior and the cessation of desire to achieve Nirvana, a state of absolute peace and happiness.
  • Option B: Incorrect. Hinduism, while it has concepts of liberation (Moksha), does not focus on the same path of moral behavior and the cessation of desire as Buddhism does to achieve Nirvana.
  • Option C: Incorrect. Confucianism is a philosophical system that emphasizes moral and social values, but it does not have a concept of Nirvana or the cessation of desire as a path to enlightenment.
  • Option D: Incorrect. Taoism focuses on living in harmony with the Tao (the natural order of the universe) and does not have a concept of Nirvana or the cessation of desire as a path to enlightenment.

Mnemonic: Buddha's path: Work, Morals, Nirvana

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