Question 99 from UPSC CSE 2019 - Art & Culture

Question

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?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2, and 3

Strategy: Identify keywords specific to Mahayana Buddhism—'deification of the Buddha', 'path of Bodhisattvas', and 'image worship'. All three directly align with Mahayana's core features, distinguishing it from earlier traditions like Theravada. None of the statements are extraneous or incorrect for Mahayana, so all are included.

Key Info: Mahayana Buddhism is a major branch of Buddhism that arose around the 1st century CE, primarily after the fourth Buddhist council, often attributed to the reign of the Kushan emperor Kanishka. Its doctrinal innovations distinguish it from earlier Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism. Key characteristics include:

- Deification of the Buddha: Unlike earlier traditions that portrayed the Buddha as a great teacher, Mahayana views him as a transcendent, divine figure, worthy of devotion. The Buddha is regarded as an embodiment of ultimate truth and cosmic compassion.

- Bodhisattva Path: Central to Mahayana is the ideal of the Bodhisattva—an enlightened being who forgoes final nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve liberation. Compassion (karuna) is elevated alongside wisdom, and many Bodhisattvas (such as Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri) are widely venerated.

- Image Worship and Rituals: Mahayana popularized the worship of images and statues of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, using rituals, offerings, and festivals to express devotion. Stupas, chaityas, and temples became focal points for such activities, marking a significant shift from early Buddhist practices that avoided direct worship of the Buddha's image.

Mahayana texts include the Lotus Sutra, Heart Sutra, and Diamond Sutra, emphasizing the universality of Buddhahood and the possibility of enlightenment for all beings. The tradition spread across Central, East, and Southeast Asia, influencing regions such as China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

Consider the following statements: Deification of the Buddha Trading the path of Bodhisattvas Image worship and rituals Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

Consider the following statements:

Deification of the Buddha

Trading the path of Bodhisattvas

Image worship and rituals
Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?