Q. Which of the following statements with regard to early Buddhist sub-sects is/are correct?
1.Sammitiya school introduced the controversial doctrine of Pudgala soul-like personhood.
2.Dharmaguptaka school played an influential role in transmitting monastic discipline and Buddhist scriptures along the Silk Road.
3.Mahisasaka and Haimavata sub-sects merged with the Mahayana school to establish Tantric Buddhism.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: The Vatsiputriyas (also known as Sammitiyas) developed the unique doctrine of Pudgala, postulating a quasi-permanent “person” or entity that transmigrates from life to life, distinguishing themselves from orthodox Anatta proponents.
- Statement 2 is correct: The Dharmaguptaka school was instrumental in expanding Buddhism along northwestern trade routes into Central Asia and China. The Chinese Buddhist monastic lineage (Vinaya) is derived from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: The Mahisasaka and Haimavata (or Kasyapiya) remained minor early non-Mahayana schools with limited geographical footprint; they did not merge to form Tantric Buddhism (which developed much later as Vajrayana in early medieval India).
