Q: 86 (IAS/1997)
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?
(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style.
(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas.
(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval south India.
question_subject:
History
question_exam:
IAS
stats:
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keywords:
{'bodhisattva avalokitesvara': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'mahayana buddhism': [0, 1, 0, 3], 'vajrapani': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'padmapani': [0, 1, 0, 1], 'manjusri': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'maitreya': [1, 1, 0, 2]}
In Mahayana Buddhism, different Bodhisattvas are known by different names, reflecting their distinct characteristics or roles.
Option 1, Vajrapani, is incorrect. Vajrapani is a separate Bodhisattva, who symbolizes the power of all Buddhas.
Option 2, Manjusri, is also incorrect. Manjusri is another Bodhisattva who represents wisdom, not Avalokitesvara.
Option 3, Padmapani, is the correct answer. This is another name for Avalokitesvara, which translates to "Holder of the Lotus". It is one of the many forms Avalokitesvara can take to help sentient beings reach enlightenment.
Option 4, Maitreya, is incorrect as Maitreya represents the future Buddha in Buddhist cosmology and is not related to Avalokitesvara in any way.