Consider the following statements about the followers of Buddha. 1. T...
Justification:
- Initially, only men were allowed into the Sangha, but later women were also admitted. According to Buddhist texts, this was made possible through the mediation of Ananda, one of Buddha's dearest disciples, who persuaded him to allow women into the Sangha.
- Buddha's foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni.
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Consider the following statements about the followers of Buddha. 1. T...
The correct answer is option 'B', which states that statement 2 only is correct. Let's analyze each statement in detail:
1. The Sangha was a body of disciples of Buddha to which women were never allowed as members.
The Sangha refers to the community of Buddhist monks or bhikkhus who followed the teachings of Buddha. Initially, the Sangha was exclusively male, and women were not allowed to join as full members. However, over time, women started to play an important role in Buddhism, but they were still not considered as part of the Sangha. Instead, they formed a separate order known as the Bhikkhuni Sangha. The Bhikkhuni Sangha provided women with a similar opportunity to live a monastic life and pursue spiritual enlightenment. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
2. Chaityas were the shrines regarded as sacred by the Bhikkus where the prayers were made.
Chaityas, also known as stupas, were indeed shrines that held great religious significance in Buddhism. They were built to enshrine the relics of Buddha or other revered Buddhist monks. Chaityas were considered sacred places where devotees would gather to offer prayers and pay homage. These shrines served as a focal point for Buddhist worship and pilgrimage. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
In conclusion, statement 1 is incorrect as women were allowed to join the Bhikkhuni Sangha, and statement 2 is correct as Chaityas were indeed regarded as sacred shrines by the Bhikkus where prayers were made. Hence, the correct answer is option 'B'.