History2016
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana
- Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to
- 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?
Explanation
The correct option is 2 and 3 only because the notion of Bodhisattva is primarily associated with Mahayana Buddhism rather than Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism, which emphasizes individual enlightenment. In the Mahayana tradition, a Bodhisattva embodies compassion, choosing to forgo their own full enlightenment to assist all sentient beings in achieving liberation. This selfless delay highlights the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of collective salvation in Mahayana thought, distinguishing it from the more individual-focused approach of Hinayana Buddhism.
