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Consider the following statements with reference to Buddhist philosophy:
The world is transient and constantly changing.
  • There is no existence of the soul.
  • Sorrow is intrinsic to human existence.
  • Path of severe penance is required to take the human life above the sorrow.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    • a)
      1, 2 and 3 only
    • b)
      2, 3 and 4 only
    • c)
      1, 2 and 4 only
    • d)
      1, 3 and 4 only
    Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
    Most Upvoted Answer
    Consider the following statements with reference to Buddhist philosop...
    Buddhism originated as an alternative tradition to the excessive importance given to rituals and sacrifices in the Vedic tradition. It was also a reaction to the gross neglect of the social problems of the time and a revolt against the hegemony of the Brahm ins in society. Buddhism is not what we call a 'top-down religion', one in which a deity reveals religious and spiritual truths to humanity. It is a 'bottom-up religion' created by humans as an attempt to express spiritual concepts. Buddhism does not deny the existence of gods or of other worlds, and indeed the devotional practices of many Buddhist traditions involve the veneration and invocation of special beings. Buddhism is a non-theistic religion, and unlike other world religions, Buddhism is not a doctrine of revelation. The Buddha did not claim to be the bearer of a message from high. He made it clear that whatever he taught, he had discovered for himself through his own efforts.
    According to Buddhist philosophy:
    • The world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing; so, statement (1) is correct .
    • It is also soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. So, statement (2) is correct.
    • Within this transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence. So, statement (3) is correct.
    • It is by following the path of moderation between severe penance and self-indulgence that human beings can rise above these worldly troubles. So, statement (4) is not correct.
    • In the earliest forms of Buddhism, whether or not God existed was irrelevant. The Buddha regarded the social world as the creation of humans rather than of divine origin. Therefore, he advised kings and gahapatis to be humane and ethical. An individual effort was expected to transform social relations. The Buddha emphasized individual agency and righteous action as the means to escape from the cycle of rebirth and attain self-realization and Nibbana, literally the extinguishing of the ego and desire - and thus end the cycle of suffering for those who renounced the world. According to Buddhist tradition, his last words to his followers were: "Be lamps unto yourselves as all of you must work out your own liberation."
    Therefore, the correct answer is a.
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    Community Answer
    Consider the following statements with reference to Buddhist philosop...
    The correct answer is option A: 1, 2, and 3 only.

    Explanation:
    Buddhist philosophy is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as Buddha. The philosophy emphasizes the understanding of the nature of reality, the causes of suffering, and the path to liberation from suffering.

    1. The world is transient and constantly changing:
    - This statement is one of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is impermanent and constantly changing. Everything in the world, including material objects, experiences, and even life itself, is subject to change and decay.
    - This concept is known as "anicca" or impermanence. Buddhists believe that attachment to impermanent things leads to suffering, and by recognizing the impermanence of everything, one can attain liberation from suffering.

    2. There is no existence of the soul:
    - This statement is also a fundamental teaching of Buddhism. According to Buddhist philosophy, there is no permanent, unchanging entity or soul (known as "atman") that exists within an individual.
    - Instead, Buddhism teaches the concept of "anatta" or no-self. It suggests that the notion of a fixed self is an illusion and that all phenomena, including the individual, are composed of constantly changing and interdependent elements.

    3. Sorrow is intrinsic to human existence:
    - This statement is in line with the Buddhist understanding of suffering. Buddhism recognizes that suffering is an inherent part of human existence.
    - The Buddha taught that life is characterized by various forms of suffering, including physical pain, mental anguish, and the inevitable experience of loss, aging, and death.
    - However, Buddhism also offers a path to overcome suffering through the attainment of enlightenment and the cessation of craving and attachment.

    4. Path of severe penance is required to take human life above sorrow:
    - This statement is not entirely correct. Buddhism does not advocate for severe penance or self-mortification as a means to overcome suffering.
    - The Buddha himself initially followed extreme ascetic practices before realizing that they were not the path to liberation. He then adopted the Middle Way, which is a balanced approach between self-indulgence and self-mortification.
    - The path to liberation in Buddhism involves the cultivation of wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and the development of compassion.

    In conclusion, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct in relation to Buddhist philosophy. The world is transient and constantly changing, there is no existence of the soul, and sorrow is intrinsic to human existence. However, statement 4 is not accurate as Buddhism does not advocate for severe penance as a means to overcome suffering.
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    Consider the following statements with reference to Buddhist philosophy: The world is transient and constantly changing. There is no existence of the soul. Sorrow is intrinsic to human existence. Path of severe penance is required to take the human life above the sorrow. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Consider the following statements with reference to Buddhist philosophy: The world is transient and constantly changing. There is no existence of the soul. Sorrow is intrinsic to human existence. Path of severe penance is required to take the human life above the sorrow. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements with reference to Buddhist philosophy: The world is transient and constantly changing. There is no existence of the soul. Sorrow is intrinsic to human existence. Path of severe penance is required to take the human life above the sorrow. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements with reference to Buddhist philosophy: The world is transient and constantly changing. There is no existence of the soul. Sorrow is intrinsic to human existence. Path of severe penance is required to take the human life above the sorrow. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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