UPSC Prelims 2020 Q22: Ancient History – Buddhism & Jainism
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Buddhist Sects: Sthaviravadins, Mahasanghika, Lokottaravadin
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sthaviravadins = Mahayana Buddhism | FALSE | Sthaviravadins are Theravada (from Sanskrit 'Sthavira' = elder), NOT Mahayana. They preserved orthodox, conservative Buddhist practices. |
| 2 | Lokottaravadin = offshoot of Mahasanghika | TRUE | Mahasanghika ('Great Assembly') split into sects, including Lokottaravadin ('Transcendentalists') which emphasized supernatural aspects of Buddha. |
| 3 | Mahasanghika deification of Buddha fostered Mahayana | TRUE | Mahasanghika's veneration of Buddha as superhuman (not just historical figure) was key to Mahayana's bodhisattva cult and Buddha pantheon. |
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Answer: (b).
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong - Sthaviravadins are Theravada, not Mahayana.
- (b) CORRECT. Statements 2 (Lokottaravadin as Mahasanghika offshoot) and 3 (Mahasanghika deification leading to Mahayana) are both correct.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is definitively wrong.
Key point
Sthaviravada vs Mahasanghika: Early Buddhist split (3rd century BCE?). Sthaviravada = conservative, preserved Pali Canon (Theravada today). Mahasanghika = reformist, allowed Buddha veneration, Bodhisattva path - seeds of Mahayana.
Remember
Sthaviravadins belong to Theravada Buddhism, NOT Mahayana (Statement 1 wrong). The Lokottaravadin sect was indeed an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect (Statement 2 correct). The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the development of Mahayana Buddhism (Statement 3 correct).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Theravada (Sthaviravada) with Mahayana. Theravada = conservative elder school; Mahayana = reformist, deity-centric school emerging from Mahasanghika.
- Assuming Buddha remains a historical figure in Mahayana. Mahayana elevated Buddha to superhuman status with multiple Buddhas, Bodhisattvas - fundamental shift.
- Missing the Lokottaravadin school - literally 'Transcendentalists' who believed Buddha transcends worldly realm.
Exam tip
Buddhist Evolution: Early sangha split into conservative (Theravada/Sthaviravada) + reformist (Mahasanghika-derived sects). Mahasanghika eventually led to Mahayana which spread to East Asia (China, Japan, Tibet). Theravada remained in Sri Lanka, SE Asia.
Sources
- Mahavamsa: The Great Chronicle of Ceylon (translated by Wilhelm Geiger, Pali Text Society)
- David Snellgrove - The Image of the Buddha