With reference to Mahayana Buddhist philosophical schools, consider the following statements: 1. The Yogacara school maintains that external objects do not exist independently and that only consciousness is ultimately real. 2. The Madhyamika school asserts that reality is empty (Sunyata) of inherent existence and that absolute truth is beyond concepts and propositions. 3. Both Yogacara and Madhyamika uphold the realist view of the external world and consider knowledge derived from perception as absolute. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation:

The Yogacara school is also known as Vijnanavada (Idealism). It holds that consciousness alone is real and external objects are mental constructs, not independently real.
The Madhyamika school, founded by Nagarjuna, emphasizes Sunyata (emptiness) and maintains that absolute truth is beyond conceptual thought. It uses the doctrine of two truths: relative (phenomenal) and absolute (transcendent).
Neither school holds a realist view of external objects. Yogacara denies their independent reality, while Madhyamika declares all conceptual knowledge—including perceptual data—as relative and empty of inherent essence.

Source: NCERT and Ancient India – NCERT (R.S.Sharma)