UPSC Prelims 2024 Q64: Art & Culture – Philosophy & Religion
- (a) Prajnaparamita Sutra
- (b) Visuddhimagga
- (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
- (d) Lalitavistara
Answer: (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
Explanation
Sanghabhuti - Indian Buddhist Monk and His Commentary
Sanghabhuti was an Indian Buddhist monk who traveled to China at the end of the 4th century CE.
He was a scholar of the Sarvastivadin school of Buddhism.
He authored a commentary on the Sarvastivada Vinaya - the monastic code (rules of discipline) of the Sarvastivadin Buddhist sect.
Context of the texts in the options:
| Text | School | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prajnaparamita Sutra | Mahayana | 'Perfection of Wisdom' texts; basis for Mahayana philosophy including Sunyata |
| Visuddhimagga | Theravada | 'Path of Purification' by Buddhaghosa (5th century CE); a Theravada meditation manual |
| Sarvastivada Vinaya | Sarvastivadin | Monastic code of the Sarvastivadin school; Sanghabhuti wrote a commentary on this |
| Lalitavistara | Mahayana/Mixed | A Sanskrit Buddhist text narrating the life of Buddha |
Answer: (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Prajnaparamita Sutra is a major Mahayana text on the 'Perfection of Wisdom.' Sanghabhuti was a Sarvastivadin scholar, not associated with Mahayana Prajnaparamita literature.
- (b) Incorrect. Visuddhimagga ('Path of Purification') was written by Buddhaghosa, a Theravada scholar from Sri Lanka in the 5th century CE. It is not associated with Sanghabhuti.
- (c) CORRECT. Sanghabhuti authored a commentary on the Sarvastivada Vinaya (monastic code of the Sarvastivadin school). He was a Sarvastivadin monk who transmitted this tradition to China.
- (d) Incorrect. Lalitavistara is a Sanskrit text narrating the life of the Buddha, associated with Mahayana/mixed traditions. It is not the text Sanghabhuti commented on.
Key point
Sanghabhuti (4th century CE Indian Buddhist monk) = commentary on Sarvastivada Vinaya. He was a Sarvastivadin who traveled to China and transmitted Sarvastivadin monastic codes.
Remember
Sanghabhuti was an Indian Buddhist monk of the Sarvastivadin school who traveled to China in the late 4th century CE and wrote a commentary on the Sarvastivada Vinaya.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Sarvastivada Vinaya with Theravada Vinaya - the Sarvastivadin school had its own distinct Vinaya (monastic code) separate from the Pali Vinaya of Theravada.
- Not recognizing Visuddhimagga as Buddhaghosa's Theravada work - the Visuddhimagga is a 5th century Theravada text, not a 4th century Sarvastivadin text.
- Not knowing the Sarvastivadin school - it was a major early Buddhist school that flourished in Northwest India and Central Asia, known for their extensive Abhidharma literature.
Exam tip
For this type of specific question: Sarvastivada = a major early Buddhist school (not Theravada, not Mahayana). Their key texts = Abhidharma + Vinaya. Any monk identified as Sarvastivadin would comment on Sarvastivadin texts.
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History Part I (Buddhism and Spread to East Asia)
- Encyclopaedia of Buddhism - Sarvastivada School