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?
Show answer
Answer: B. Statement 1 is wrong: the Bodhisattva ideal is central to Mahayana, not Hinayana. Statement 2 is correct: a Bodhisattva is a compassionate being on the path to enlightenment. Statement 3 is correct: he delays his own nirvana to help others. So 2 and 3.
Watch for: Students mix up which sect stresses the Bodhisattva.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana, not Hinayana.
- C. Wrong because Statement 3 is also correct.
- D. Wrong because Statement 1 is false.
Source to check: NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part I, Chapter 4 'Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings' (Mahayana Buddhism)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.