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With reference to the religious history of India, Mahavibhasa is a
  • a)
    book dealing with rules of sacrifice used by Brahmins.
  • b)
    rules of conduct for Digambar jains.
  • c)
    summary of doctrines of Sarvastivadin sect of Buddhists.
  • d)
    book on religious plays written by Bhasa.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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With reference to the religious history of India, Mahavibhasa is aa)bo...
  • 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 of India, Mahavibhasa is aa)bo...

Mahavibhasa in Indian Religious History

Summary of Doctrines of Sarvastivadin Sect of Buddhists
Mahavibhasa is a significant text in the religious history of India as it serves as a summary of the doctrines of the Sarvastivadin sect of Buddhists. The Sarvastivadins were a major Buddhist school that existed in India and Central Asia.

Content of Mahavibhasa
The Mahavibhasa covers a wide range of topics related to the Sarvastivadin sect, including their beliefs, practices, and philosophical teachings. It provides insights into their understanding of the nature of reality, the concept of time, causality, and the nature of consciousness.

Importance of Mahavibhasa
The text is crucial for scholars and practitioners interested in understanding the specific tenets and doctrines of the Sarvastivadin school of Buddhism. It sheds light on the historical development of Buddhist thought in India and the diversity of interpretations within the Buddhist tradition.

Significance in Religious Studies
Studying Mahavibhasa helps in gaining a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of religious beliefs and practices that have shaped the religious landscape of India. It highlights the intellectual and philosophical contributions of the Sarvastivadin school to the broader Buddhist tradition.

In conclusion, Mahavibhasa's focus on the doctrines of the Sarvastivadin sect of Buddhists makes it a valuable source for scholars and practitioners seeking to explore the intricate philosophical foundations of this particular Buddhist school.
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