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 ?
Show answer
Answer: B. Statement 1 is wrong: the Sthaviravadins (Theravada) belong to the older Hinayana tradition, not Mahayana. Statement 2 is correct: the Lokottaravada sect branched off from the Mahasanghikas. Statement 3 is correct: the Mahasanghikas' view of the Buddha as a superhuman being helped give rise to Mahayana. So 2 and 3.
Watch for: Both Sthaviravada and Mahayana are big Buddhist names, so students mix them up.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because Sthaviravadins are Hinayana, not Mahayana.
- C. Wrong because statement 2 is also correct.
- D. Wrong because statement 1 is false.
Source to check: Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, Chapter on Buddhism; NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part I, Chapter 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.