Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Mahavastu and Divyavadana are Mahayana Buddhist texts.
2. These texts were written in hybrid Sanskrit.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Both 1 and 2
Notes: Creation of Mahayana sect of Buddhism was partly influenced by the large scale influx of foreigners during the post-Mauryan age. Progress of Mahayana Buddhism led to the composition of numerous ‘Avadanas’ (Sanskrit for noble deeds). Most of these texts were composed in a sort of Buddhist-Hybrid Sanskrit. Their main objective was to preach the teaching of Mahayana Buddhism to the people. Some of the important books of this genre were the Mahavastu and Divyavadana. Hence, both the statements are true.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.