With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• The Second Buddhist Council (Vaishali, c. 383 BCE) split the Sangha into the orthodox Sthaviravadins (Theravada/Hinayana) and the Mahasanghikas.
• Statement 1 is wrong: Sthaviravadins belong to the Hinayana/Theravada tradition, not Mahayana.
• Statement 2 is correct: the Lokottaravadins ('transcendentalists') were an offshoot of the Mahasanghikas who held the Buddha to be supramundane.
• Statement 3 is correct: the Mahasanghikas' deification of the Buddha and doctrine of bodhisattvas paved the way for Mahayana Buddhism.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: Sthaviravadins are Hinayana/Theravada.
- (c) 3 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: Lokottaravadins came from the Mahasanghikas.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.