Who among the following was the last to be initiated in his religion in his religion by Gautama Buddha?

The correct answer is D (Subhadda). Subhadda was an elderly wandering ascetic (paribbajaka) at Kushinagara. He came to the Buddha on the night before the Mahaparinibbana, raised doubts about rival teachers, and was convinced. The Buddha then admitted him to the Sangha personally, making him the last person the Buddha ordained himself. The episode is recorded in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta of the Digha Nikaya.

Why the others are wrong:

• Anand: the Buddha's cousin and personal attendant. He joined the Sangha early, not last. His importance lies in reciting the Sutta Pitaka at the First Buddhist Council.
• Sariputta and Moggallana: the two chief disciples, known for wisdom and psychic powers. Both died before the Buddha, so neither could be the last.

Core concept: the Sangha's openness to people from all walks of life, and the Buddha as the direct teacher. For Mains, this links to Buddhism's social egalitarianism and to the origin of the Buddhist councils, a recurring Ancient History theme.

Trap: aspirants read "last" as "last to join the Sangha" and pick Anand, the most familiar name. The question asks about the last person the Buddha ordained himself.