Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect โ˜… Bookmarked
Loadingโ€ฆ
Q72 (IAS/2020) History & Culture โ€บ Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy โ€บ Buddhist doctrine and sects Official Key

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: โ€”  ยท  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2 (2 and 3 only). This is based on the early evolution of Buddhist schools and the transition from early sects to Mahayana.

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: The Sthaviravadins (believers in the teachings of the elders) were the precursors to the Theravada tradition. They represented the orthodox, conservative branch that rejected innovations, placing them in contrast to the Mahayana tradition.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The Lokottaravadin sect was indeed a sub-school or offshoot of the Mahasanghikas. They were known for their "supramundane" (Lokottara) view of the Buddha, asserting that the Buddhaโ€™s physical body was merely a manifestation and his nature was transcendental.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The Mahasanghikas pioneered the deification of the Buddha, shifting the focus from a human teacher to a divine entity. This transcendental perspective and the emphasis on the Bodhisattva path directly fostered the rise of Mahayana Buddhism.

Thus, statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the historical development of Buddhist philosophy, while statement 1 incorrectly categorizes an orthodox sect.

How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
56%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Donโ€™t just practise โ€“ reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2.โ€ฆ
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 ยท 5/10

This question tests the 'Transition Phase' of Buddhism (2nd Century BC to 1st Century AD). Statement 1 is the elimination key found in standard NCERTs (Sthavira = Thera = Orthodox). Statement 2 is a 'bouncer' detail found in specialized history (A.L. Basham/Upinder Singh), but logical inference connects 'Lokottara' (Supramundane) to the Mahasanghika ideology of deifying the Buddha.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In the religious history of India, did the Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"One group, opposed to any change whatever, came to be known as the Sthaviravadins (Theravadins) who followed what was believed to be the original teaching ... They taught that it is necessary for all humans to strive for Arahantship or release from the"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies the Sthaviravadins (Theravadins) as a group opposed to doctrinal change, emphasizing arahantship โ€” a position distinct from Mahayana goals.
  • Describes Sthaviravadins as following the original teaching agreed at the first Council, implying they were part of Nikaya/Hinayana tradition rather than Mahayana.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Mahasanghikasโ€™s views on the nature of the Buddha ... foreshadowed the development of the Mahayana form of Buddhism. ... A subdivision within the Sthaviravadins emerged in the 3rd century bc, when the Sarvastivadins ... broke away"
Why this source?
  • Distinguishes Mahasanghikas (whose views foreshadowed Mahayana) from other schools and notes the Sthaviravadins as a separate grouping with their own subdivisions.
  • States a subdivision within the Sthaviravadins (the Sarvastivadins) broke away โ€” indicating Sthaviravadins were not themselves Mahayana but part of early sectarian (Nikaya) Buddhism.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Since the Sarvastivadins also made doctrinal contributions to Mahayana Buddhism, the most significant ... is determining what institutional ties might have existed between the Mahasanghika order and Mahayana Buddhists."
Why this source?
  • Notes that Mahasanghika views were close to Mahayana and that Sarvastivadins (an offshoot related to Sthaviravadins) also made contributions to Mahayanaโ€”implying Mahayana chiefly arose from other lineages, not from the Sthaviravadins as a whole.
  • Distinguishes doctrinal sources and institutional ties between Mahasanghika, Sarvastivadin, and Mahayana, rather than equating Sthaviravadins with Mahayana.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
Strength: 5/5
โ€œIn course of time, Mahasanghikas, Sthaviravadins and Sarvastivadins emerged as major sects of Buddhism. New ideas emerged among the Mahasanghikas and Sarvastivadins. It led to the emergence of Mahayana and Hinayana (the Great and Lesser Vehicles) in Buddhism. Mahayana or the Great Vehicle became popular and influential in India. Nalanda University was an important centre of Buddhist learning and was patronised by the Palas. Mahayana spread to China and Japan. Hinayana or the Lesser Vehicle became popular in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and other South-east Asian countries. By the end of the Gupta period, Vajrayana or the Vehicle of the Thunderbolt emerged.โ€
Why relevant

Lists Mahasanghikas, Sthaviravadins and Sarvastivadins as major sects and states Mahayana emerged from new ideas among Mahasanghikas and Sarvastivadins.

How to extend

A student could infer that because Mahayana is tied to Mahasanghikas and Sarvastivadins, Sthaviravadins were less likely to be originators or core proponents of Mahayana and might instead be associated with the nonโ€‘Mahayana side.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > Hinayana or Theravada? > p. 103
Strength: 5/5
โ€œSupporters of Mahayana regarded other Buddhists as followers of Hinayana. However, followers of the older tradition described themselves as theravadins, that is, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.โ€
Why relevant

Explains that supporters of Mahayana called others 'Hinayana' and that older tradition followers described themselves as theravadins (those following the path of the theras).

How to extend

A student could map Sthaviravadin linguistically/ideologically to 'sthavira' (elder) / 'thera' (elder) traditions and thus suspect Sthaviravadins belonged to the older/Hinayana tradition rather than Mahayana.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Decline of Buddhism in India > p. 43
Strength: 3/5
โ€œBuddhism faced divisions from time to time. Division into various splinter groups like 'Hinayana', 'Mahayana', 'Vajrayana', 'Tantrayana' and 'Sahajayana' led Buddhism to lose its originality. Pali and Prakrit were the spoken languages of people of north India, and it was through these languages the message of Buddhism was spread. But ever since the times of Fourth Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka, Sanskrit had come to be adopted. Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects P = 43 ูจโ€
Why relevant

Notes doctrinal and linguistic shifts (e.g., Fourth Council, adoption of Sanskrit) accompanying Buddhist divisions and the emergence of new branches.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to test which sects (Sthaviravadins vs Mahasanghikas/Sarvastivadins) were implicated in later doctrinal innovations like Mahayana by comparing their historical roles in councils and language use.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Religious Policy > p. 109
Strength: 3/5
โ€œHarsha was a worshipper of Siva at least up to 631 CE. But he embraced Buddhism under the influence of his sister Rajyasri and the Buddhist monk Hieun Tsang. He subscribed to the Mahayana school of thought. Yet he held discourses among learned men of various creeds. Slaughter of animals and consumption of meat was restricted. Harsha summoned two Buddhist assemblies (643 CE), one at Kanauj and another at Prayag. The assembly at Kanauj was attended by 20 kings including Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa. A large number of Buddhist, Jain and Vedic scholars attended the assembly. A golden statue of Buddha was consecrated in a monastery and a small statue of Buddha (three feet) was brought out in a procession.โ€
Why relevant

Records a historical ruler (Harsha) explicitly subscribing to the Mahayana school, illustrating that Mahayana was a distinct, identifiable school with historical patrons.

How to extend

A student could use lists of known Mahayana patrons/centres versus lists of sect names (e.g., Sthaviravadins) to see whether Sthaviravadins appear among Mahayana supporters or instead among the older traditions.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Religion > p. 112
Strength: 2/5
โ€œThe Palas were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism. The Buddhist philosopher Haribhadra was the spiritual preceptor of Dharmapala, the founder of the Pala kingdom. Bengal remained one of the few places where Buddhist monasteries continued to exist. The kingdom as well as Buddhism soon suffered decline because of large-scale conversion of merchants and artisans to Islam.โ€
Why relevant

States that the Palas were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism, showing geographic/political centres of Mahayana influence.

How to extend

A student could compare the geographic/political strongholds of Sthaviravadins (if known) with Pala/Mahayana centres to assess alignment or separation between Sthaviravadins and Mahayana.

Statement 2
In the religious history of India, was the Lokottaravadin sect an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"he regarded the Lokottaravadin sect, which is of Mahasanghika lineage, as Hinayana"
Why this source?
  • The passage explicitly identifies the Lokottaravadin sect as being of Mahasanghika lineage.
  • That identification directly supports the claim that Lokottaravadin is an offshoot/member of the Mahasanghika school.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"the Mahiivastu, a biography of the Buddha from the Lokottaravadin School, and two or three other works from schools in the Mahasanghika tradition are extant."
Why this source?
  • The passage links the Lokottaravadin School to extant works counted among those from the Mahasanghika tradition.
  • This association indicates Lokottaravadin belongs to the Mahasanghika lineage (i.e., is an offshoot/branch).

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
Strength: 5/5
โ€œIn course of time, Mahasanghikas, Sthaviravadins and Sarvastivadins emerged as major sects of Buddhism. New ideas emerged among the Mahasanghikas and Sarvastivadins. It led to the emergence of Mahayana and Hinayana (the Great and Lesser Vehicles) in Buddhism. Mahayana or the Great Vehicle became popular and influential in India. Nalanda University was an important centre of Buddhist learning and was patronised by the Palas. Mahayana spread to China and Japan. Hinayana or the Lesser Vehicle became popular in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and other South-east Asian countries. By the end of the Gupta period, Vajrayana or the Vehicle of the Thunderbolt emerged.โ€
Why relevant

States Mahasanghikas were a major sect and that 'new ideas emerged among the Mahasanghikas', contributing to the rise of Mahayana โ€” indicating Mahasanghika openness to doctrinal innovation and the formation of later subโ€‘traditions.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern (Mahasanghika โ†’ new Mahayana ideas โ†’ subsects) to plausibly test whether Lokottaravadin, if Mahayana in character, traces its lineage to Mahasanghika sources by checking doctrinal affinities and historical accounts.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Decline of Buddhism in India > p. 43
Strength: 4/5
โ€œBuddhism faced divisions from time to time. Division into various splinter groups like 'Hinayana', 'Mahayana', 'Vajrayana', 'Tantrayana' and 'Sahajayana' led Buddhism to lose its originality. Pali and Prakrit were the spoken languages of people of north India, and it was through these languages the message of Buddhism was spread. But ever since the times of Fourth Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka, Sanskrit had come to be adopted. Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects P = 43 ูจโ€
Why relevant

Notes Buddhism repeatedly split into various splinter groups (Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana, etc.), showing a historical pattern of sectarian offshoots arising from earlier schools.

How to extend

A student could apply this general rule of frequent schisms to seek historical records linking Lokottaravadin to an earlier school like Mahasanghika (e.g., lists of sects or council records).

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Monasteries and Mutts > p. 126
Strength: 3/5
โ€œMonasteries continued to be the nucleus of the Buddhist educational system and were located in the region of Kanchi, and the valleys of the Krishna and the Godavari rivers. Buddhist centres were concerned with the study of Buddhism, particularly as this was a period of intense conflict between orthodox and heterodox sects. But Buddhism 126 ยน Cultural Development in South India was fighting a losing battle. Royal patronage, which the Buddhists lacked, gave an edge to the protagonists of Vedic religions. Apart from the university at Kanchi, which acquired a fame equal to that of Nalanda, there were a number of other Sanskrit colleges.โ€
Why relevant

Describes monasteries as loci of doctrinal study and intense conflict between 'orthodox and heterodox sects', implying institutional contexts where subsects and new schools (offshoots) developed.

How to extend

One could look for mentions of Lokottaravadin in records of particular monastic centres or regions associated with Mahasanghika influence to test a lineage connection.

Statement 3
In the religious history of India, did the Mahasanghika sect deify the Buddha (portray the Buddha as supramundane)?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
Strength: 4/5
โ€œIn course of time, Mahasanghikas, Sthaviravadins and Sarvastivadins emerged as major sects of Buddhism. New ideas emerged among the Mahasanghikas and Sarvastivadins. It led to the emergence of Mahayana and Hinayana (the Great and Lesser Vehicles) in Buddhism. Mahayana or the Great Vehicle became popular and influential in India. Nalanda University was an important centre of Buddhist learning and was patronised by the Palas. Mahayana spread to China and Japan. Hinayana or the Lesser Vehicle became popular in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and other South-east Asian countries. By the end of the Gupta period, Vajrayana or the Vehicle of the Thunderbolt emerged.โ€
Why relevant

States that Mahasanghikas (with Sarvastivadins) developed 'new ideas' that led to the emergence of Mahayana, indicating doctrinal innovation linked to later devotional developments.

How to extend

A student could check whether those 'new ideas' attributed to Mahasanghikas included doctrines that elevated the Buddha's status (by consulting histories linking Mahasanghika teachings to Mahayana soteriology).

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > Art and Literature > p. 82
Strength: 5/5
โ€œpartly due to royal patronage and partly due to other factors, like the growing ascendancy of Mahayana Buddhism, which allowed the representation of the person of Buddha in human form. The Greek influence led to an Indo-Greek style of sculpture and art commonly referred to as Gandhara. Art. Statues of Buddha, sculpted particularly in Taxila and the north-western regions, show him in graceful garments, surrounded by cherubs and leaves inspired by the Greek tradition. But mention must also be made of the red sandstone sculpture with intricate carving produced near Mathura. The Buddhists began to carve out rock caves in the hills of western India, which served as religious centres with chaityas and viharas, stretching from the Ajanta caves to the Kanheri caves in Mumbai.โ€
Why relevant

Notes that the rise of Mahayana allowed representation of the person of the Buddha in human form โ€” a shift from symbolic to iconic worship associated with increased veneration.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to ask whether groups contributing to Mahayana (e.g., Mahasanghikas) also encouraged portraying the Buddha as superhuman or divine.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.1 The development of Mahayana Buddhism > p. 103
Strength: 5/5
โ€œThe worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas became an important part of this tradition. This new way of thinking was called Mahayana โ€“ literally, the "great vehicle". Those who adopted these beliefs described the older tradition as Hinayana or the "lesser vehicle".โ€
Why relevant

States that worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas became important in Mahayana, implying doctrinal and devotional elevation of Buddha-figures.

How to extend

Combine this with the link between Mahasanghikas and the rise of Mahayana to assess if Mahasanghika influence plausibly led to deifying tendencies.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 9.2 Symbols of worship > p. 100
Strength: 4/5
โ€œArt historians had to acquire familiarity with hagiographies of the Buddha in order to understand Buddhist sculpture. According to hagiographies, the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form โ€“ instead, they showed his presence through symbols. The empty seat (Fig. 4.14) was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa (Fig. 4.15) was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana. Another frequently used symbol was the wheel (Fig. 4.16). This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath. As is obvious, such sculptures cannot be understood literally โ€“ for instance, the tree does not standโ€
Why relevant

Describes an earlier phase where the Buddha was represented symbolically (empty seat, stupa), establishing a before/after contrast with later iconic worship.

How to extend

A student can use this contrast to infer that any sect responsible for or associated with the shift to images likely participated in elevating the Buddha's status.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7. Stupas > p. 96
Strength: 3/5
โ€œBuddha's life โ€“ where he was born (Lumbini), where he attained enlightenment (Bodh Gaya), where he gave his first sermon (Sarnath) and where he attained nibbana (Kusinagara). Gradually, each of these places came to be regarded as sacred. We know that about 200 years after the time of the Buddha, Asoka erected a pillar at Lumbini to mark the fact that he had visited the place.โ€
Why relevant

Notes that specific places associated with the Buddha became regarded as sacred, showing a trend toward sacralizing the Buddha's life and presence.

How to extend

A student might extend this to ask whether sects that promoted sacred sites also promoted supramundane conceptions of the Buddha.

Statement 4
In the religious history of India, did the deification of the Buddha by the Mahasanghikas foster the development of Mahayana Buddhism?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
Presence: 5/5
โ€œIn course of time, Mahasanghikas, Sthaviravadins and Sarvastivadins emerged as major sects of Buddhism. New ideas emerged among the Mahasanghikas and Sarvastivadins. It led to the emergence of Mahayana and Hinayana (the Great and Lesser Vehicles) in Buddhism. Mahayana or the Great Vehicle became popular and influential in India. Nalanda University was an important centre of Buddhist learning and was patronised by the Palas. Mahayana spread to China and Japan. Hinayana or the Lesser Vehicle became popular in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and other South-east Asian countries. By the end of the Gupta period, Vajrayana or the Vehicle of the Thunderbolt emerged.โ€
Why this source?
  • Identifies Mahasanghikas as a major Buddhist sect and attributes 'new ideas' among Mahasanghikas to the emergence of Mahayana.
  • Directly links doctrinal innovation within Mahasanghikas to the development of the Mahayana movement.
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 10.1 The development of Mahayana Buddhism > p. 103
Presence: 4/5
โ€œThe worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas became an important part of this tradition. This new way of thinking was called Mahayana โ€“ literally, the "great vehicle". Those who adopted these beliefs described the older tradition as Hinayana or the "lesser vehicle".โ€
Why this source?
  • States that worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas became an important part of Mahayana.
  • Connects the practice of deification/iconic worship to the defining features of Mahayana belief and practice.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > Art and Literature > p. 82
Presence: 4/5
โ€œpartly due to royal patronage and partly due to other factors, like the growing ascendancy of Mahayana Buddhism, which allowed the representation of the person of Buddha in human form. The Greek influence led to an Indo-Greek style of sculpture and art commonly referred to as Gandhara. Art. Statues of Buddha, sculpted particularly in Taxila and the north-western regions, show him in graceful garments, surrounded by cherubs and leaves inspired by the Greek tradition. But mention must also be made of the red sandstone sculpture with intricate carving produced near Mathura. The Buddhists began to carve out rock caves in the hills of western India, which served as religious centres with chaityas and viharas, stretching from the Ajanta caves to the Kanheri caves in Mumbai.โ€
Why this source?
  • Notes that the ascendancy of Mahayana allowed representation of the Buddha in human form, linking doctrinal change to image cult.
  • Links artistic and cultural factors (Indo-Greek/Gandhara influence) that facilitated human depiction and veneration of the Buddha.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC focuses heavily on the *evolutionary links* in religion. They don't just ask 'What is Mahayana?'; they ask 'Which earlier sect *caused* Mahayana?'. Always map the 'Bridge Sects' (e.g., Mahasanghikas bridging Early Buddhism and Mahayana).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Semi-Bouncer. Statement 1 is basic NCERT (History Class XI TN/XII NCERT), but Statement 2 requires deep ancient history knowledge or etymological guessing.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The Second Buddhist Council (Vaishali) and the Great Schism (Mahabheda) between Sthaviravadins (Elders) and Mahasanghikas (Great Congregation).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Big 4' Sect lineages: 1) Sthaviravada โ†’ Theravada (Sri Lanka/SE Asia). 2) Sarvastivada (Kashmir/Mathura, 'Everything Exists'). 3) Mahasanghika โ†’ Lokottaravada (Deified Buddha, led to Mahayana). 4) Sammitiya/Pudgalavada (Believed in a 'Person/Soul' - controversial).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize all 18 early schools. Focus only on the ones that represent a *doctrinal shift*. Sthaviravadins represent 'Orthodoxy', Mahasanghikas represent 'Reform/Deification'. Any sect with 'Lokottara' (Beyond World) in its name must align with the Deification/Mahayana lineage, not the Orthodox one.
Concept hooks from this question
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S1
๐Ÿ‘‰ Early Buddhist sects and origins of Mahayana
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Mahayana arose from doctrinal innovations within Mahasanghika and Sarvastivadin traditions rather than from Sthaviravadins.

High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask which schools produced Mahayana ideas and how sectarian splits affected Buddhist development. Knowing the origin sects helps answer queries on doctrinal evolution, textual languages, and institutional centres.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "In the religious history of India, did the Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Bud..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S1
๐Ÿ‘‰ Sthaviravada/Theravada as the conservative โ€˜olderโ€™ tradition
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Sthaviravadins identified with the older/thera tradition (theravadin), representing the conservative stream contrasted with Mahayana innovators.

Important for comparative questions on Buddhist currents: distinguishes Theravada/Sthaviravada from reformist Mahayana. Useful across topics on sectarian labels (Hinayana/Theravada), regional transmission, and doctrinal continuity.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > Hinayana or Theravada? > p. 103
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "In the religious history of India, did the Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Bud..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S1
๐Ÿ‘‰ Regional spread and patronage of Mahayana vs Hinayana/Theravada
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Mahayana became influential and was patronised in parts of India (Nalanda, Pala realm) while Hinayana/Theravada became dominant in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

Exam-relevant for questions on religious geography, royal patronage, and institutional centres (e.g., Nalanda, Pala support). Helps link sectarian distinctions to patterns of decline, conversion, and cultural transmission.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Religion > p. 112
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Society > p. 126
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "In the religious history of India, did the Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Bud..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S2
๐Ÿ‘‰ Major early Buddhist sects (Mahasanghika, Sthaviravadin, Sarvastivadin)
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Mahasanghika, Sthaviravadin and Sarvastivadin were the principal early Buddhist sects from which later movements emerged.

High-yield because UPSC questions often ask about sectarian origins and lineage; mastering these sect names and relationships helps answer questions on doctrinal evolution and sectal offshoots. Connects to topics on religious developments, institutional history (monasteries, universities) and regional spread of Buddhism.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "In the religious history of India, was the Lokottaravadin sect an offshoot of th..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S2
๐Ÿ‘‰ Emergence of Mahayana and Hinayana from sectal developments
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Mahayana grew out of new ideas within groups such as the Mahasanghikas and Sarvastivadins, while Hinayana denotes earlier schools.

High-yield because many questions probe causes and consequences of the Mahayanaโ€“Hinayana distinction; understanding which sects contributed to Mahayana clarifies claims about specific offshoots. Links doctrinal history to cultural transmission and foreign spread of Buddhism.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "In the religious history of India, was the Lokottaravadin sect an offshoot of th..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S2
๐Ÿ‘‰ Buddhist schisms and linguistic shifts (Fourth Council and Sanskrit adoption)
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Sectarian division and the post-Kanishka adoption of Sanskrit influenced doctrinal transmission and the formation of splinter groups.

Important for UPSC as it explains mechanisms of sect formation, doctrinal change, and decline; useful for questions on causes of religious transformation and comparative religious history. Connects to themes of reform, councils, and intellectual history.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Decline of Buddhism in India > p. 43
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "In the religious history of India, was the Lokottaravadin sect an offshoot of th..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S3
๐Ÿ‘‰ Mahasanghika and early sectarian developments
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Mahasanghika was one of the early Buddhist sects whose new ideas contributed to subsequent developments in Buddhism.

High-yield for questions on sectarian evolution: explains the fragmentation of early Buddhism and links to later movements like Mahayana. Useful for connecting doctrinal change to institutional and regional shifts in ancient Indian religion.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "In the religious history of India, did the Mahasanghika sect deify the Buddha (p..."
๐ŸŒ‘ The Hidden Trap

The Sammitiya (or Vatsiputriya) sect. While most Buddhists deny the self (Anatta), this sect controversially believed in a 'Pudgala' (Person/Entity) that transmigrates. This is a 'heretical' view often targeted in advanced questions.

โšก Elimination Cheat Code

Etymology Hack: 'Sthaviravadins' comes from 'Sthavira' (Sanskrit) or 'Thera' (Pali), meaning 'Elders'. Elders are conservative/orthodox. Mahayana ('Great Vehicle') was the liberal/reformist break *away* from the Elders. Thus, Sthaviravadins cannot belong to Mahayana. Eliminate Statement 1 โ†’ Options A and D removed. You are left with B or C. 'Lokottara' means 'Supra-mundane' (Loka + Uttara). Who treats Buddha as Supra-mundane? The Mahasanghikas (as per Stmt 3). Thus, 2 and 3 go together.

๐Ÿ”— Mains Connection

Mains GS1 (Art & Culture) & GS2 (IR): The split into Mahayana allowed Buddhism to absorb local deities, making it 'export-ready' for China and Tibet (Sinicization). Contrast this with the rigid Sthaviravada (Theravada) which became the state identity of Sri Lanka/Myanmar (Cultural Nationalism).

โœ“ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS ยท 2017 ยท Q53 Relevance score: 5.26

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism. 2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS ยท 2016 ยท Q50 Relevance score: 5.03

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?

IAS ยท 2016 ยท Q17 Relevance score: 2.87

With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements : 1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry. 2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?