Which of the following statements with regard to ancient Buddhist literature is/are correct? 1. Aryadeva, a principal disciple of Nagarjuna, composed the treatise Catuhsataka to defend Mahayana Madhyamika philosophy. 2. Buddhaghosa authored the Visuddhimagga, a comprehensive synthesis of Theravada doctrine and meditation practices. 3. Ashvaghosha, a court poet during the Kushana period, authored the Sanskrit epic Buddhacharita. Select the answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Aryadeva composed the Catuhsataka (Four Hundred Verses) to refute rival philosophical systems and establish Madhyamika dialectics.
Statement 2 is correct: Buddhaghosa compiled the Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification) in Sri Lanka, which remains the central non-canonical treatise of Theravada doctrine.
Statement 3 is correct: Ashvaghosha was a patronized scholar in King Kanishka’s court who wrote the classical Mahakavya Buddhacharita (biography of the Buddha in Sanskrit) and Saundarananda.