The correct option is (b) 2 only.
Explanation
The teachings of the Buddha were characterized by their accessibility to the common people and a focus on ethical conduct. Unlike the Vedic tradition, which relied on complex rituals and exclusive languages, Buddhism emphasized practical spiritual paths and moral causation.Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Buddha taught in the language of the ordinary people, Prakrit (specifically Pali), to ensure that his message was understood by everyone, regardless of caste or education. He deliberately avoided Sanskrit, which was the language of the learned Brahmins and the religious elite, as he intended his teachings to be inclusive rather than restricted to a scholarly class.
Statement 2 is Correct: The Buddha believed in the Law of Karma. He taught that people are shaped by their actions; the results of these actions (karma), whether good or bad, affect an individual both in this life and in the next. This concept is central to the Buddhist understanding of the cycle of birth and rebirth (Samsara).
Key Takeaway: The Buddha preached in the vernacular language (Prakrit/Pali) to reach the masses and upheld the doctrine of Karma, asserting that actions determine the quality of one's existence in current and future lives.