Consider the following statements regardingthe chaityas and viharas: V...
- Chaityas were the places of worship and congregation while viharas were the places of residents of Buddhist monks. Hence both statements 1 and 2 are not correct.
- In western India, many Buddhist caves dating back to the second century BCE onwards have been excavated. The front of the chaitya hall is dominated by the motif of a semi-circular chaitya arch with an open front that has a wooden facade and, in some cases, there is no dominating chaitya arch window such as found at Kondivite. In all the chaitya caves a stupa at the back is common. Hence statement 3 is correct.
View all questions of this test
Consider the following statements regardingthe chaityas and viharas: V...
Only one statement is correct: "Chaitayas were the places of residents of monks."
Explanation:
The statements provided in the question are related to chaityas and viharas, which are significant architectural structures in ancient India, particularly associated with Buddhism.
1. Viharas were the places of congregation and worship: This statement is incorrect. Viharas were not the places of congregation and worship but rather the residential quarters for monks. Viharas were essentially monastic complexes where Buddhist monks lived, meditated, and studied. They typically consisted of individual cells or rooms for monks, along with common areas such as assembly halls and libraries. Viharas were not primarily used for worship or congregation.
2. Chaitayas were the places of residents of monks: This statement is correct. Chaitayas (also known as chaityas) were Buddhist prayer halls or shrines where worship and religious ceremonies took place. Chaitayas were primarily used for congregational worship and were adorned with Buddhist art and sculptures. They were often carved into the rock faces of hills or mountains and had a distinctive horseshoe-shaped layout. Chaitayas were not residential areas for monks but rather served as places of religious significance for the Buddhist community.
3. In the cave tradition of western India, the presence of a stupa at the back of the chaitya was a common feature: This statement is incorrect. In the cave tradition of western India, the presence of a stupa at the back of the chaitya was not a common feature. Stupas, which are dome-shaped structures containing Buddhist relics, were usually separate from the chaityas. While chaityas were used for worship, stupas were revered as sacred monuments and were often located in open spaces or separate structures within the viharas or monastery complexes.
Therefore, only the statement "Chaitayas were the places of residents of monks" is correct.