{"id":2519,"date":"2025-05-03T03:37:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T22:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/?p=2519"},"modified":"2025-05-03T03:37:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T22:07:43","slug":"q-with-reference-to-the-religious-history-of-india-consider-the-following-statements-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/upsc\/q-with-reference-to-the-religious-history-of-india-consider-the-following-statements-3","title":{"rendered":"Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
    \n
  1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to\u00a0Hinayana sect<\/strong>\u00a0of Buddhism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • 1 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 2 and 3 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 2 only<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1, 2 and 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n

      Answer:<\/strong> (b) 2 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      Bodhisattva:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • A\u00a0Bodhisattva (Pali: bodhisatta) is an individual who has achieved Enlightenment or Buddhahood but vows to return to the cycle of\u00a0sams\u0101ra\u00a0(worldly existence) to assist all sentient beings in attaining Buddhahood<\/strong>. This concept, central to\u00a0Mahayana Buddhism,<\/strong>\u00a0emphasises universal compassion and selfless dedication to the liberation of all beings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • The term\u00a0\u201cbodhisattva,\u201d meaning\u00a0\u201cBuddha-to-be,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0is significant in Buddhist philosophy. The concept of the bodhisattva, along with that of the\u00a0Buddha\u00a0and the\u00a0chakravartin(universal ruler), existed in India before Gautama Buddha\u2019s time.\n
          \n
        • It\u00a0also encompasses Gautama\u2019s\u00a0previous rebirths<\/strong>, during which he progressed toward enlightenment across lifetimes as animals, humans, or other forms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • According to Buddhist tradition,\u00a0Gautama was born as a\u00a0prince in a kingdom in northeastern India<\/strong>, but he renounced his royal life and wealth to pursue enlightenment. Eventually, he transitioned from a\u00a0Bodhisattva\u00a0to a fully\u00a0awakened Buddha.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • In Mah\u0101y\u0101na Buddhism,\u00a0which is widely practised in\u00a0East and Central Asia, the concept of\u00a0Bodhisattva\u00a0expands beyond Gautama.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Mah\u0101y\u0101na posits that\u00a0every true follower\u2019s ultimate goal is to attain Buddhahood<\/strong>, making the\u00a0Bodhisattva vow\u00a0central to their spiritual journey.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • This school emphasises the\u00a0existence of\u00a0multiple Buddhas<\/strong>\u00a0and describes\u00a0highly evolved Bodhisattvas\u00a0who have cultivated profound merits and powers across countless lifetimes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          Key Bodhisattvas:<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

          Avalokitesvara (Padmapani):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • He is also known as the\u00a0Bodhisattva of Compassion\u00a0and is one of the most revered figures in Buddhism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • He is often depicted holding a\u00a0lotus flower, symbolising purity and compassion, and is prominently featured in the\u00a0Ajanta Caves murals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • In Cambodian Theravada Buddhism, he is referred to as\u00a0Lokesvara; in some traditions, he is portrayed as a feminine figure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • The\u00a0Dalai Lama\u00a0is believed to be an\u00a0incarnation\u00a0of Avalokitesvara, emphasising his role as a protector and guide for all sentient beings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Vajrapani:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • He embodies the\u00a0power\u00a0of the\u00a0Buddha\u00a0and the energies of the\u00a0Five Tathagatas:<\/strong>\u00a0Vairocana, Akshobhya, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava, and Amoghasiddhi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • He is often depicted in the\u00a0Ajanta Caves<\/strong>, symbolising strength, protection, and the force required to overcome obstacles on the spiritual path.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Manjusri:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • He is the\u00a0Bodhisattva of Wisdom\u00a0<\/strong>and symbolises the clarity and insight of the Buddha.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • He is often portrayed wielding a\u00a0sword<\/strong>, representing the ability to cut through ignorance and delusion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Manjusri is one of the three\u00a0protecting deities<\/strong>\u00a0surrounding the Buddha, embodying the wisdom necessary for enlightenment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                Samantabhadra:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • He is associated with\u00a0meditation\u00a0and\u00a0practice, highlighting the importance of spiritual discipline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • He is part of the\u00a0Shakyamuni Triad, standing alongside the Buddha and Manjusri, and symbolises the practical application of Buddhist teachings in daily life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Ksitigarbha:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  • He is depicted as a\u00a0monk\u00a0who has taken a profound vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all beings in hell have been freed from suffering.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Known as the guide for beings in\u00a0hell,<\/strong>\u00a0he plays a critical role in alleviating pain and providing hope to those in distress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Maitreya:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • He is revered as the\u00a0Future Buddha<\/strong>, destined to descend to Earth, attain perfect enlightenment, and teach the\u00a0pure Dharma.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • The popular image of the\u00a0Laughing Buddha<\/strong>\u00a0is often considered an\u00a0incarnation of Maitreya, symbolising joy, abundance, and spiritual promise.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      Akasagarbha:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      • He is linked to the\u00a0concept of space, symbolising its vast and infinite nature.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • He represents\u00a0boundless compassion and wisdom<\/strong>, reflecting the immensity and interconnectedness of the universe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        Tara:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        • She\u00a0is a\u00a0Vajrayana deity<\/strong>\u00a0who\u00a0embodies\u00a0success, labour, and accomplishments.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • She is revered as a\u00a0saviour and protector<\/strong>, offering assistance to those facing obstacles and challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Tara\u2019s presence in Buddhist practice highlights her role as a guiding force for overcoming adversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          Vasudhara:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          • She symbolises\u00a0wealth, prosperity,\u00a0and\u00a0abundance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • She is especially popular in\u00a0Nepal<\/strong>, where she is worshipped as a deity who fosters fertility, fortune, and material well-being.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                            Skanda:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            • He is recognised as the\u00a0Protector of\u00a0Viharas\u00a0(Buddhist monasteries)<\/strong>\u00a0and the teachings of the Buddha.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • He is honoured for his role in safeguarding practitioners and maintaining the sanctity of sacred spaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                              Sitatapatra:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                \n
                              • She is a revered deity in\u00a0Mahayana\u00a0and\u00a0Vajrayana Buddhism<\/strong>, known for\u00a0protecting against supernatural dangers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • She is a guardian figure who shields followers from harm and helps preserve the integrity of their spiritual journey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                Which of the statements given above is\/are correct? Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only Bodhisattva: Key Bodhisattvas: Avalokitesvara (Padmapani): Vajrapani: Manjusri: Samantabhadra: Ksitigarbha: Maitreya: Akasagarbha: Tara: Vasudhara: Skanda: Sitatapatra:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,3],"tags":[40,43],"years":[57],"class_list":["post-2519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-upsc","category-prelims","tag-ancient-history","tag-art-and-culture","years-57"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":1,"label":"UPSC"},{"value":3,"label":"Prelims"}],"post_tag":[{"value":40,"label":"Ancient History"},{"value":43,"label":"Art and Culture"}],"years":[{"value":57,"label":"2016"}]},"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"LotusArise","author_link":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/author\/team-lotusarise"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":1,"name":"UPSC","slug":"upsc","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1269,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":1,"category_count":1269,"category_description":"","cat_name":"UPSC","category_nicename":"upsc","category_parent":0},{"term_id":3,"name":"Prelims","slug":"prelims","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":3,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":1,"count":1251,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":3,"category_count":1251,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Prelims","category_nicename":"prelims","category_parent":1}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":40,"name":"Ancient History","slug":"ancient-history","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":40,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":108,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":43,"name":"Art and Culture","slug":"art-and-culture","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":43,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":80,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2519"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2519"},{"taxonomy":"years","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotusarise.com\/qna\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/years?post=2519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}