Given below are two statements :
Statement I : The founder of Buddhism, Gautam Buddha was born in 540 BC at Lumbini.
Statement II : Buddhism followed the middle path for attainment of salvation and believed in the concept of non-violence.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Statement I: "The founder of Buddhism, Gautam Buddha, was born in 540 BC at Lumbini."

This statement is false because most accepted historical sources place Buddha’s birth around 563 BC, not 540 BC. However, Lumbini in present-day Nepal is correctly recognised as his birthplace.

Statement II: "Buddhism followed the middle path for the attainment of salvation and believed in the concept of non-violence."

This statement is true. Buddhism emphasises the Middle Path (Madhyam Marg) - avoiding extreme asceticism and indulgence. It also strongly advocates ahimsa or non-violence as a core ethical principle.

Thus, Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.