Which texts contain the 'regional histories' of Buddhism?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa
As Buddhism travelled to new regions such as Sri Lanka, texts such as the Dipavamsa (the chronicle of the island) and the Mahavamsa (the great chronicle) were written, containing the regional histories of Buddhism.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.3 Debates and discussions … These compilations were known as Tipitaka – literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified according to length as well as subject matter. The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order; the Buddha’s teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters. Each pitaka comprised a number of individual texts. Later, commentaries were written on these texts by Buddhist scholars. As Buddhism travelled to new regions such as Sri Lanka, other texts such as the Dipavamsa (literally, the chronicle of the island) and Mahavamsa (the great chronicle) were written, containing regional histories of Buddhism. Many of these works contained biographies of the Buddha.…” |