Consider the following statements about Buddhism:
1. It was patronized by the Pala kings.
2. Buddha was worshipped as a God in Mahayana Buddhism.
3. Hinayana considers Buddha as an ordinary being who attained Nirvana.
4. Vajrayana focused on Hindu Practices. Which of the following are correct?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

OPSC OAS 2023 Prelims (General Studies) Official Paper-I

Answer 1

The Correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

The Pala kings of Bengal (8th to 12th century CE) were great patrons of Buddhism, particularly Mahayana and later Vajrayana Buddhism. They established many monasteries and universities like Nalanda and Vikramashila, contributing significantly to the spread of Buddhism. Hence 1 Correct.
In Mahayana Buddhism, Buddha is seen as a divine figure, and followers often worship him as a god. Mahayana Buddhism also introduced the concept of Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who choose to help others attain Nirvana. Hence 2 Correct.
Hinayana (Theravada Buddhism) views Buddha as a great teacher and an ordinary human who achieved Nirvana through his own efforts. It does not worship Buddha as a god. Hence 3 Correct
Vajrayana Buddhism incorporates tantric elements, which are often similar to certain Hindu tantric practices. However, it primarily focuses on Buddhist concepts, rituals, and beliefs, not Hindu practices directly. Hence 4 Incorrect. Hence, the correct answer is Option 2 (1, 2, and 3).