Read the passage and answer the questions:
According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing; it is also soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence. It is by following the path of moderation between severe penance and self indulgence that human beings can rise above these worldly troubles. In the earliest forms of Buddhism whether or not god existed was irrelevant.
In Buddhism, the followers of the older tradition, who followed the old path and respected teachers, described themselves as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Theravadins
The passage is on Buddhist philosophy. When Mahayana developed, its supporters called the other Buddhists followers of Hinayana; but the followers of the older tradition described themselves as theravadins, those who followed the path of old, respected teachers, the theras.
Hence, the answer is Theravadins.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| – | 29-05 S1* | – | 14-06 S1* 22-06 S3 | – |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2026-27): “10.1 The development of Mahayana Buddhism … 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’. Hinayana or Theravada? … 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.…” |