Consider the following statements about the Buddhist Council organized by Kanishka: 1. It was a meeting of scholars to discuss important matters. 2. It marked the decline of Sanskrit writing among Buddhist scholars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation The Fourth Buddhist Council was convened during the reign of the Kushana emperor Kanishka in the 1st century CE. It was held at Kundalavana in Kashmir under the presidency of Vasumitra, with Ashvaghosha serving as the deputy. This council is significant for the compilation of comprehensive commentaries on the Tripitaka and the formal rise of the Mahayana sect. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: The primary purpose of the council was to resolve differences of opinion within the Sangha and to settle the canonical texts. It was a gathering of 500 Buddhist scholars (Arhats) who engaged in deep philosophical discussions and compiled the Mahavibhasha Shastra, an extensive commentary on the Abhidhamma Pitaka. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Fourth Buddhist Council did not mark the decline of Sanskrit; rather, it marked the adoption of Sanskrit as the primary language for Buddhist scriptures, particularly within the Mahayana tradition. Prior to this, Pali and Prakrit were dominant. Scholars associated with Kanishka, such as Ashvaghosha (author of Buddhacharita), wrote extensively in Sanskrit. Key Takeaway: The Fourth Buddhist Council under Kanishka resulted in the compilation of the Mahavibhasha, the division of Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana, and the shift towards Sanskrit as the literary language of Buddhism.

Consider the following statements about the Buddhist Council… - NCERT Class 6 History MCQ

NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 9: Traders, kings and pilgrims

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Consider the following statements about the Buddhist Council organized by Kanishka:

It was a meeting of scholars to discuss important matters.
It marked the decline of Sanskrit writing among Buddhist scholars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Our Past -1 · Page 103

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Fourth Buddhist Council was convened during the reign of the Kushana emperor Kanishka in the 1st century CE. It was held at Kundalavana in Kashmir under the presidency of Vasumitra, with Ashvaghosha serving as the deputy. This council is significant for the compilation of comprehensive commentaries on the Tripitaka and the formal rise of the Mahayana sect.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The primary purpose of the council was to resolve differences of opinion within the Sangha and to settle the canonical texts. It was a gathering of 500 Buddhist scholars (Arhats) who engaged in deep philosophical discussions and compiled the Mahavibhasha Shastra, an extensive commentary on the Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Fourth Buddhist Council did not mark the decline of Sanskrit; rather, it marked the adoption of Sanskrit as the primary language for Buddhist scriptures, particularly within the Mahayana tradition. Prior to this, Pali and Prakrit were dominant. Scholars associated with Kanishka, such as Ashvaghosha (author of Buddhacharita), wrote extensively in Sanskrit.

Key Takeaway:

The Fourth Buddhist Council under Kanishka resulted in the compilation of the Mahavibhasha, the division of Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana, and the shift towards Sanskrit as the literary language of Buddhism.

Your note

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