UPSC 2024HistoryModerate

With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets? 1. Nayaputta 2. Shakyamuni 3. Tathagata Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A
1 only
B
2 and 3 only
Correct Answer
C
1, 2 and 3
D
None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha

Explanation

Shakyamuni ("Sage of the Shakyas") and Tathagata ("One who has thus gone") are well-documented epithets for Gautama Buddha, used extensively in Buddhist scriptures to denote his clan origins and enlightened state. Nayaputta is the most tempting wrong option because it refers to Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, who was the son (*putta*) of the Naya (Jnatrika) clan. The core concept tested is the ability to distinguish between the specific titles and historical identities of contemporary religious figures in ancient India.

Ancient HistoryBuddhismGautama BuddhaNayaputtaShakyamuniTathagataMahaviraEpithets

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