Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010

Himalayan Buddhist Centers

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In which State is the Buddhist site Tabo Monastery located?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept High-altitude Buddhist monasteries in India, like Tabo, serve as repositories of ancient Tibetan Buddhist art and are crucial for studying the trans-Himalayan cultural exchange.

Explanation Tabo Monastery is located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Founded in 996 CE by the scholar Rinchen Zangpo, it is the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in India. It is famously called the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas' due to its exceptional wall paintings and clay sculptures.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Spiti Valley is a high-altitude desert region in Himachal Pradesh that houses several ancient gompas (monasteries).
Logic 2: Tabo belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is recognized by UNESCO for its architectural and spiritual significance.

Active Recall

Question

Why is Tabo Monastery compared to the Ajanta Caves?

Answer

Because it contains a vast collection of ancient, high-quality murals and statues that document Buddhist theology in a manner similar to the Ajanta caves.

Core Insight

Tabo represents the synthesis of Indian and Tibetan artistic styles at the end of the first millennium CE.