Consider the following statements:

1. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka.
2. The Chinese pilgrim Huen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Both statements are incorrect

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the Fourth Buddhist Council was held during the reign of Kanishka in the 1st–2nd century CE, whereas the Chinese pilgrim Faxian (Fa-Hien) visited India in the early 5th century CE during the Gupta period and therefore could not have attended the council. Statement 2 is also incorrect because Xuanzang (Huen-Tsang) met Harsha and described him as a generous patron of Buddhism who supported monasteries and organized religious assemblies. Hence, both statements are incorrect.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2