Choose 'True' statements :

(A) Bodhisattas are compassionate beings who help others.
(B) Hinayana meant 'great vehicle' and Mahayana meant 'Lesser vehicle'
(C) The Avatars were recognised with in the tradition of Vaishnavism.
(D) Shiva was symbolised by the 'Linga'.
(E) The tall structure in temple is known as 'Garbhgriha' and a small square room is called 'Shikhara'.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A), (C), (D) only

The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (C), (D) only

Given statements:

(A) Bodhisattas are compassionate beings who help others. (CORRECT)
(B) Hinayana meant 'great vehicle' and Mahayana meant 'Lesser vehicle'. (INCORRECT)
(C) The Avatars were recognised with in the tradition of Vaishnavism. (CORRECT)
(D) Shiva was symbolised by the 'Linga'. (CORRECT)
(E) The tall structure in temple is known as 'Garbhgriha' and a small square room is called 'Shikhara'. (INCORRECT)

Correction in incorrect statements:

(B) Hinayana meant 'Lesser vehicle' and Mahayana meant 'great vehicle'.
(E) The tall structure in temple is known as  'Shikhara' and small square room is called 'Garbhgriha'.

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”

In the case of Vaishnavism, cults developed around the various avatars or incarnations of the deity. Ten avatars were recognised within the tradition. These were forms that the deity was believed to have assumed in order to save the world whenever it was threatened by disorder and destruction because of the dominance of evil forces.

Some of these forms were represented in sculptures, as were other deities. Shiva, for instance, was symbolised by the linga, although he was occasionally represented in human form too.

The early temple was a small square room, called the garbhagriha, with a single doorway for the worshipper to enter and offer worship to the image. Gradually, a tall structure, known as the shikhara, was built over the central shrine. Temple walls were often decorated with sculpture. Later temples became far more elaborate – with assembly halls, huge walls and gateways, and arrangements for supplying water.