Which of the following statements are TRUE about Mahayana Buddhism?

(A) Mahayana Buddhists did not believe that Buddha was the one who could ensure salvation.
(B) Mahayana Buddhists saw Buddha as the saviour.
(C) Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts.
(D) Bodhisattas used their accumulated merit to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world.
(E) Bodhisattas used their accumulated merit to help others.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(B), (C), (E) Only

The correct answer is Option (2) → (B), (C), (E) Only

Given statements:

(A) Mahayana Buddhists did not believe that Buddha was the one who could ensure salvation. (Incorrect)
(B) Mahayana Buddhists saw Buddha as the saviour.
(C) Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts.
(D) Bodhisattas used their accumulated merit to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world. (Incorrect)
(E) Bodhisattas used their accumulated merit to help others.

Explanation:

By the first century CE, there is evidence of changes in Buddhist ideas and practices. Early Buddhist teachings had given great importance to self-effort in achieving nibbana. Besides, the Buddha was regarded as a human being who attained enlightenment and nibbana through his own efforts. However, gradually the idea of a saviour emerged. It was believed that he was the one who could ensure salvation. Simultaneously, the concept of the Bodhisatta also developed. Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others. The worship of images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas became an important part of this tradition. This new way of thinking was called Mahayana – literally, the “great vehicle”. Those who adopted these beliefs described the older tradition as Hinayana or the “lesser vehicle”.

Supporters of Mahayana regarded other Buddhists as followers of Hinayana. However, followers of the older tradition described themselves as theravadins, that is, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.