UPSC Prelims 2019 · Question 59 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2019 question on Mahayana Buddhism Features
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2019
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectAncient History
- TopicAncient Art, Literature and Culture
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements:
1. Deification of the Buddha
2. Trading the path of Bodhisattvas
3. Image worship and rituals
Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?
Show answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Verdict
All three statements are features of Mahayana Buddhism → Option (d).
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – CORRECT: The emergence of Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana sect of Buddhism, which emerged during the fourth council of Buddhism held in 1st century A.D at Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka. Deification (worship as a god) of the Buddha is a feature of Mahayana Buddhism.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: Bodhisattvas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain Nibbana and thereby abandon the world but to help others. Trading (treading) the path of Bodhisattvas is a feature of Mahayana Buddhism.
Statement 3 – CORRECT: The worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas became an important part of this tradition.