UPSC Civil Services Model Paper 1

Mahayana Buddhism:
● It was a new form of Buddhism .
● Two distinct features :
◦ Buddha’s presence -
◦ Earlier, shown in sculpture by using certain signs
. Ex- Attainment of enlightenment was shown by sculptures of the peepal tree.
◦ Now, statues of the Buddha were made .
So, statement 1 is NOT correct.
◦ Many of these were made in Mathura, while others were made in Taxila.
● Belief in Bodhisattvas -
◦ These were the persons who were supposed to attain enlightenment.
◦ Once they attained enlightenment, they could live in complete isolation and meditate in peace.
◦ However, instead of doing that, they remained in the world to teach and help other people .
◦ The worship of Bodhisattvas became very popular. So, statement 2 is correct.
◦ It spread throughout Central Asia, China, and later to Korea and Japan