1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.

2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.

3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: b

Explanation: 

100 years after death of Buddha, at the Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali, there was schism of the Buddhist order which broke into two sections-

● The orthodox Sthaviravadins (Theravadin in Pali) or the “Believer in the Teaching of the Elders” and

● The Mahasanghikas or Members of “The Great Community”.

200 years after the death of Buddha, Mahasanghikas were further divided into two sects-

●  Gokulika (Kukkulika) and

●  Ekavyavaharika (Lokottaravadina)

According to the Mahasanghikas, the Bodhisattvas are supramundane, and do not pass through the four embryonic stages of ordinary beings. They enter their mothers’ wombs in the form of white elephants and come out of the wombs on the right side. They never experience feelings of lust (kama), malevolence (vyapada) or injury (vihimsa). For the benefit of all classes of sentient beings, they are born of their own free will in any form of existence they choose. These conceptions led to the deification of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Hence, option b is correct.

Read: Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2020