Buddhism & Buddhist Art

Option A is correct: Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora River. Option B is incorrect: Sanchi Stupa is located on a hilltop in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, and is not situated in a gorge. Option C is incorrect: Pandu-Lena Cave Shrines are situated near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, and are not associated with any specific gorge. Option D is incorrect: Amaravati Stupa is located on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, not in a gorge.

The term "paramitas" in the cultural history of India refers to Perfections that have to be achieved by a Bodhisattva. Paramitas are virtues or perfections that Mahayana Buddhists believe must be cultivated and perfected by Bodhisattvas on the path to enlightenment. These perfections include generosity (dana), moral conduct (sila), patience (kshanti), diligence (virya), meditation (dhyana), and wisdom (prajna). Practising and perfecting these virtues are considered essential for Bodhisattvas to attain Buddhahood and to help others achieve liberation from suffering. Therefore, option C is the correct description of the term "paramitas."

Statement 1 is incorrect. Sthaviravadins, also known as Theravadins, belong to the branch of Buddhism known as Theravada, which is distinct from Mahayana Buddhism. Statement 2 is correct. The Lokottaravadin sect emerged as an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. Lokottaravada means "transcendentalist" or "those who consider themselves above or beyond the world." Statement 3 is correct. The Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism was one of the early Buddhist schools that existed alongside other early Buddhist schools, such as the Sthaviravadins. The Mahasanghikas are believed to have played a role in the development of Mahayana Buddhism, which saw the deification of the Buddha and the emergence of new sutras and doctrines.

Parivrajaka: This refers to a wandering ascetic or religious mendicant who has renounced worldly possessions and leads a life of spiritual pilgrimage. Shramana: Shramanas were ascetics who practised austerity and self-discipline, they were not necessarily high-status priests. Shramana refers to a broader movement that includes Jainism and Buddhism, not limited to a specific religion or social hierarchy. Thus, statement 2 is incorrectly matched. Upasaka: An Upasaka refers to a lay follower of Buddhism, someone who observes the five precepts and practices Buddhism without becoming a monk.

The ruler who advised his subjects through the inscription quoted is Ashoka. This inscription is part of the Major Rock Edict XII of Ashoka. Ashoka, who ruled the Mauryan Empire from 268 to 232 BCE, is known for his embrace of Buddhism and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence after a particularly bloody war. His edicts, inscribed on pillars and rocks throughout his empire, conveyed his messages to his subjects. This specific inscription emphasizes religious tolerance and respect for all faiths.

All three statements (1, 2, and 3) are features of Mahayana Buddhism. Deification of the Buddha: While Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the Buddha as a human who attained enlightenment, Mahayana portrays the Buddha as a transcendent being who can exist in multiple forms. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas Mahayana: Buddhism emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal, where individuals strive for enlightenment not just for themselves but for the benefit of all sentient beings. Image worship and rituals: Mahayana Buddhism incorporates elaborate rituals and devotional practices involving statues and images of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. These practices are seen as a way to connect with the divine and progress on the path to enlightenment.

Kanaganahalli, located near Sannati in Karnataka, is an archaeological site known for its Buddhist stupas, sculptures, and inscription slabs. One particular sculpture depicts a royal figure with attendants, identified through the Brahmi inscription as "Ranyo Ashoka" (King Ashoka). This makes it the only confirmed instance among the given options where the inscription and the portrait are found together. Sanchi, in Madhya Pradesh, is famous for its Great Stupa, built under Ashoka's patronage. Shahbazgarhi: Located in modern-day Pakistan, Shahbazgarhi contains Ashokan Edicts written in Kharosthi script. These edicts promote Dharma (moral law) but do not include a stone portrait of Ashoka. Sohgaura, in Uttar Pradesh, has a pre-Ashokan inscription, written in the Brahmi script. It is not associated with Ashoka but rather with a Mauryan period famine relief measure.

The future Buddha, yet to come to save the world according to Buddhist tradition, is referred to as Maitreya. Avalokiteshvara (Lokesvara/Padmapani) are all forms of the compassionate bodhisattva but are not future Buddhas.

* The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated works of art found in the Ajanta Caves. * These caves, located in Maharashtra, India, are renowned for their collection of exquisitely preserved murals and sculptures depicting Buddhist themes. The Padmapani painting, housed in Cave 1, is particularly celebrated for its beauty, technical mastery, and its portrayal of the compassionate Bodhisattva. This image has been admired and reproduced for centuries, serving as a testament to the artistic legacy of Ajanta. * Badami is famous for its rock-cut temples (6th–8th century CE), built by the Chalukyas. * Bagh Caves (Madhya Pradesh): Madhyapradesh. These are associated with the Buddhism. These Buddhist rock-cut caves have paintings similar to Ajanta. * Ellora is famous for its rock-cut Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples (6th–10th century CE). The most famous structure here is the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), a massive monolithic rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were not sects of Jainism but rather were Buddhist philosophical schools.
Sautrantika was a Buddhist philosophical school that relied primarily on the sutras (discourses) of the Buddha, as opposed to the Abhidharma (the Buddhist systematic philosophy).
Sammitiya was a Buddhist school that held the view that the self (atman) exists, which was in contrast to the mainstream Buddhist view of anatta (non-self). Statement 2 is correct. Sarvastivada was a major Buddhist philosophical school that held the view of "sarvam asti" or "everything exists".
The Sarvastivadins believed that the constituents of phenomena (dharmas) did not merely exist in the present moment, but had a real and permanent existence in the past, present, and future.
This was in contrast to the Theravada Buddhist view of momentariness, where all phenomena are considered to be constantly arising and passing away.