Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on: [2024]

Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:

Prajnaparamita Sutra
Visuddhimagga
Sarvastivada Vinaya
Lalitavistara

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

Many Indian monks travelled to China during this period, including Sanghabhuti, who was present in China between 381–384 CE and authored a commentary on the Sarvastivada Vinaya.

Additional Information

Important Indian monks who travelled to China during C. 300–600 CE:
- The best known among the Indian monks or monks of Indian origin who travelled to China are Kumarajiva (5^th century), Paramartha (6^th century), and Bodhidharma (6^th century).
- Paramartha: Paramartha, a native of Ujjayini, was sent to China by a Gupta king in the mid-6th century. He spent 23 years there, never returning to India. Several of his translated and authored works were included in the Chinese Tripitaka.
- Bodhidharma: Bodhidharma travelled to China by sea. He was a staunch believer in the doctrine of shunyatavada (nothingness). He did not write any books, but his disciple Hui-ke went on to found the Chan school of Buddhism.
Spread of Buddhism to Southeast Asia:
Sarvastivada and Mahayana Buddhism were evident in north Myanmar from the 3^rd century CE. By the 6^th century, Buddhist and Shaiva influences were firmly rooted in Cambodia, with similar developments in the Malay peninsula, Java, and Sumatra. Mahayana and Shravakayana Buddhism arrived in Vietnam via India and China by the 3^rd century.
Buddhism was transmitted to Korea from China, and by the 6^th century, had made an impact all over the Korean peninsula. In 538 CE, a Korean embassy arrived in Japan, armed with a Buddha image, Buddhist monks, and texts. Buddhism had officially arrived in Japan and was soon declared a state religion during the reign of regent prince Shotoku (573–622).

Option (a) is incorrect

The important Mahayana Sutras include the Prajnaparamita Sutras, of which the Ashtasahasrika seems to be the oldest. The Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras focus on the concept of “Prajñāpāramitā,” which translates to “Perfection of Wisdom” or “Wisdom that has Gone Beyond.” Prajnaparamita is one of the six perfections of the Mahayana Buddhist paths toward enlightenment. Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) Buddhism is characterised by its teaching of emptiness (shunyata) and its emphasis on the path of the bodhisattva. The bodhisattva is one who has achieved enlightenment through the recognition of the emptiness of all concepts, yet remains engaged in the illusory world to release others from their suffering.

Option (b) incorrect

In the 5^th century, the monk Buddhaghosha travelled to Sri Lanka. He translated several scriptural commentaries into Pali and wrote the Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification), which soon became a classic on Theravada doctrine and meditation.

Option (d) is incorrect

The Lalitavistara (1st–2nd centuries), a hagiography of the Buddha associated with the Sarvastivada school but strongly tinged with Mahayana elements, is in Sanskrit and mixed Prakrit-Sanskrit.

Answer: (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya; Difficulty Level: Hard

2024, PYQs

Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

Additional Information

Option (a) is incorrect

Option (b) incorrect

Option (d) is incorrect

Answer: (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya; Difficulty Level: Hard

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