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Question 53

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?

AOptions

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

BSolution

Statement 1 is incorrect. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were prominent schools or sects within Buddhism, not Jainism. The Sautrantikas emphasized the authority of the sutras, while the Sammitiya school held unique views on the nature of the 'person' (pudgala). Statement 2 is correct. The Sarvastivadins were a major early Buddhist school that believed that the constituents of phenomena (dharmas) were not wholly momentary but existed forever in a subtle or latent form across the three times (past, present, future), hence their name 'Sarvastivada' meaning 'the doctrine that all exists'.

CStrategy

When studying ancient Indian history, especially religious movements like Buddhism and Jainism, it is crucial to differentiate between their various sects, their core philosophies, and key doctrines. Pay attention to the nuances of their beliefs and avoid common mix-ups.

DSyllabus Analysis

This question is from Ancient Indian History, specifically the history of Buddhism and its various schools of thought.

EQuestion Analysis

Medium to Difficult. Requires detailed knowledge of different schools within Buddhism and their philosophical tenets.