Question

UPSC Prelims 2020 Question:

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?

1. The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
2. Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
3. Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
4. Powerful merchant guilds of early Medieval South India

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3: Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

In the context of the path of the bodhisattva, the paramitas (paramis) represent qualities that the bodhisattva strives to perfect in order to purify karma and kleshas and develop bodhicitta to the highest degree possible. The several stages along the bodhisattva path involved the attainment of a number of perfections known as paramitas.
These were originally listed as six and later expanded to ten. They consisted of generosity (dana), good conduct (shila), patient forbearance (kshanti), mental strength (virya), meditation (dhyana), wisdom (prajna), skilfulness in means (upayakaushalya), determination (pranidhana), power (bala), and knowledge (jnana).

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Buddhism and Jainism

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