Q9 · UPSC Prelims 2019 · Set A · Art and Culture

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Consider the following statements:1.Deification of the Buddha2.Trading the path of Bodhisattvas3.Image worship and ritualsWhich of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

A 1 only
B 1 and 2 only
C 2 and 3 only
D 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    (a) 1 only. Deification of the Buddha is a Mahayana marker, but path-of-the-bodhisattva and image worship are also Mahayana features, so 1 only is not the key.

  2. B

    1 and 2 only

    (b) 1 and 2 only. Both are Mahayana, yet statement 3 (image worship and rituals) is also a Mahayana development against early aniconic practice, so dropping 3 is not the key.

  3. C

    2 and 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only. Those two hold, but deification (statement 1) is equally Mahayana, so this pair is not the key.

  4. D

    1, 2 and 3

    (d) 1, 2 and 3. Mahayana treats the Buddha as a transcendent/deified figure, centres the bodhisattva path, and develops image worship and ritual. All three listed features belong, so this is the official key.

Summary. Official key is (d) 1, 2 and 3. Mahayana (‘Great Vehicle’) deifies the Buddha, asks the aspirant to follow bodhisattvas toward Buddhahood, and supports images and puja. Early/Nikaya practice was more aniconic and arhat-centred. Honour the stored letter (d).

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