Question 63 from UPSC CSE 2020 - ART & CULTURE

Question

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 Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 and 3 only

Strategy: *   Identify major early Buddhist schools and their key doctrinal features.
*   Eliminate options based on incorrect associations (e.g., Sthaviravadins are Theravada precursors, not part of Mahayana).
*   Confirm correct statements by linking Lokottaravadins to Mahasanghikas and the 'supramundane' Buddha concept.
*   Validate statements regarding Mahasanghikas' deification of Buddha and its influence on Mahayana.

Key Info: ## Early Buddhist Sects and Doctrinal Splits

The early Buddhist community split after the Second Council (c. 4th century BCE) into Sthaviravadins ('Elders') and Mahasanghikas ('Great Community'). The Sthaviravadins advocated strict observance of monastic discipline and held a realist approach, maintaining that the Buddha was a human spiritual leader who attained enlightenment. They are historically linked to what became the Theravada tradition. Mahasanghikas, however, accepted more liberal monastic codes and promoted the view that the Buddha is supramundane (lokottara) and transcendental, underlying the origins of Mahayana philosophy.

Mahasanghikas were the first to deify the Buddha, leading to new philosophical developments and artistic representations, including anthropomorphic images that later became widespread in Mahayana. The Lokottaravadins were a sub-sect of the Mahasanghika tradition, whose central doctrine revolved around the transcendent (lokottara) nature of the Buddha. Their texts, including the Mahavastu, emphasize the supernatural qualities attributed to the Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism, which emerged around the 1st century BCE-1st century CE, drew significant doctrinal influence from the Mahasanghikas' concept of a universal, exalted Buddha. Over time, Mahayana grew distinct, emphasizing the Bodhisattva ideal rather than the Arahant ideal associated with Sthavira/Theravada thought. Other noteworthy Mahasanghika offshoots include Ekavyavaharika and Kaukkutika. These early doctrinal divergences shaped the later development of Buddhist philosophy across Asia.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3