Which of the following statements with regard to Mahayana philosophical schools and centers is/are correct? 1. Madhyamika school was founded by Nagarjuna and centers on the doctrine of Shunyata. 2. Yogachara school emphasizes Vijnaptimatra, asserting that subjective experience shapes external reality. 3. Taxila in Gandhara served as the main intellectual and geographic stronghold where Nagarjuna established the first Madhyamika monastery. 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: A

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Madhyamika (Middle Way) school was propounded by Nagarjuna in the century CE. It centers on Shunyata—the ultimate lack of inherent, independent existence in all phenomena.
Statement 2 is correct: The Yogachara school (founded by Maitreyanatha, Asanga, and Vasubandhu) developed the Vijnanavada or Vijnaptimatra doctrine, holding that everything perceived is a manifestation of mind or consciousness.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Nagarjuna’s activity and the primary early centers of Mahayana philosophy were located in Andhra Pradesh in Southern India—specifically around Nagarjunakonda and Dhanyakataka (Amaravati)—under the Satavahana and Ikshvaku dynasties.