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With reference to the religious history ofIndia, Mahavibhasa is a
  • a)
    book dealing with rules of sacrifice usedby Brahmins.
  • b)
    rules of conduct for Digambar jains.
  • c)
    summary of doctrines of Sarvastivadinsect of Buddhists.
  • d)
    book on religious plays written by Bhasa.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
With reference to the religious history ofIndia, Mahavibhasa is aa)boo...
  • The rise of the Sarvāstivāda school of Buddhism as a distinct group dates back to the 2nd to 1st centuries BCE. They attained prominence in the region of Mathura and in Kashmir.
  • According to Buddhist historical literature, the Sarvāstivādins split from the Sthaviravāda school at the third Buddhist council held in Pāṭaliputra (present-day Patna).
    • The third council led the divergence of Sthaviravāda into two schools: Vibhajyavādins and Sarvāstivādins. Then, a new school of Sarvāstivādins, Sautrāntikas spring off.
  • The name “Sarvāstivāda” suggests that the disagreement with the Sthaviravādins was a matter of doctrinal viewpoint: “sarvāstivāda” is derived from the Sanskrit sarvam asti, meaning essentially “everything exists/all is.” The question from which the school derives its name is whether discrete entities (dharma) have an existence only in the present, or whether they also exist as such in the past and future. In other words, the question is whether the past becomes manifest in the present, and whether the future is already latent in the present. This focus on philosophical interpretation and debate explains why the Sarvāstivāda school predominantly is an abhidharma school.
  • The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir by the patronage of Kanishka in Kashmir about 72-78 AD. It was presided over by Vasumitra and Asvaghosha and had to deal with a serious conflict between the Sarvasthivada teachers of Kashmir and Gandhara.
    • During this meeting the Sarvasthavadin doctrines were organized into a Mahavibhasa containing three large commentaries on the Pitakas. They were codified in a summary. Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
    • In the fourth council, the Sarvāstivādins were dominant. They debated on the orthodoxy and the authenticity of their teachings at this council.
    • One was the Sarvāstivāda and the Sautrāntika. The Sautrāntika was the school that began to be critical of the realism and pluralism of the Sarvāstivāda. The Sarvāstivāda regarded them as real while the Sautrāntika regarded them as mentally created. The meaning of the name Sautrāntika comes from the term ’Sūtra’, that is, those who adhere to Sūtra.
    • There is a principal difference noticed between the Sautrāntika and the Sarvāstivāda. The Sarvāstivāda was also called Vaibhāṣika, the followers of the Vibhāṣā or Commentaries. The Sarvāstivādins believed that the Abhidharma was the word of the Buddha whereas the Sautrāntikas did not accept that.
    • At this council, the Vaibhāṣikas, the Sarvāstivādins won the debate and the Sautrāntikas were disgraced.
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With reference to the religious history ofIndia, Mahavibhasa is aa)boo...
Summary of Mahavibhasa in the religious history of India:
The Mahavibhasa is a significant text in the religious history of India, specifically related to Buddhism. Here is a brief explanation of its relevance:

Origin and Content:
- The Mahavibhasa is a summary of the doctrines of the Sarvastivada sect of Buddhism.
- It is one of the major texts in the Abhidharma Pitaka, which is a collection of Buddhist scriptures that focus on the analysis and interpretation of Buddhist teachings.

Sarvastivadin Sect:
- The Sarvastivada school was one of the early Buddhist schools that flourished in India.
- They were known for their emphasis on the idea that all phenomena exist in the past, present, and future, which is encapsulated in their name "Sarvastivada," meaning "the doctrine that all exists."

Significance:
- The Mahavibhasa played a crucial role in the development and interpretation of Buddhist philosophy and doctrine.
- It provided a comprehensive summary of the Sarvastivadin beliefs and teachings, serving as a reference point for scholars and practitioners.
In conclusion, the Mahavibhasa holds great importance in the religious history of India, particularly in the context of Buddhism and the Sarvastivadin sect. It continues to be studied and referenced by scholars seeking to deepen their understanding of Buddhist philosophy and teachings.
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With reference to the religious history ofIndia, Mahavibhasa is aa)book dealing with rules of sacrifice usedby Brahmins.b)rules of conduct for Digambar jains.c)summary of doctrines of Sarvastivadinsect of Buddhists.d)book on religious plays written by Bhasa.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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