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?

QUESTION

Hard

Art & Culture

Prelims 2020

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. Sthaviravadins, also known as Theravadins, belong to the branch of Buddhism known as Theravada, which is distinct from Mahayana Buddhism.

Statement 2 is correct. The Lokottaravadin sect emerged as an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. Lokottaravada means "transcendentalist" or "those who consider themselves above or beyond the world."

Statement 3 is correct. The Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism was one of the early Buddhist schools that existed alongside other early Buddhist schools, such as the Sthaviravadins. The Mahasanghikas are believed to have played a role in the development of Mahayana Buddhism, which saw the deification of the Buddha and the emergence of new sutras and doctrines.

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