With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:1.The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.2.Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.3.Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A

   1 only

   Statement 1 only. Bodhisattva as a central saving being is a Mahayana idea, not the core of Hinayana/Theravada, which emphasises the arahant path. 1 is false.

2. B

   2 and 3 only

   2 and 3 only. A bodhisattva is a compassionate being on the path to Buddhahood who postpones personal nirvana to help all sentient beings. Statement 1 wrongly assigns that ideal to Hinayana. That stored letter is the official key.

3. C

   2 only

   Statement 2 only. Compassion on the way to enlightenment is right, but delay of one’s own salvation to help others is also standard Mahayana doctrine. 2 only is incomplete.

4. D

   1, 2 and 3

   All three. Because 1 is false, all three cannot be the key.

Summary. Official key is (b) 2 and 3 only. Bodhisattva is the Mahayana compassionate being who delays personal nirvana for others. It is not the central Hinayana ideal. Honour the stored letter (b).