How does Lalitavistara differ from the Buddhacharita?

While both are biographies, Lalitavistara is a Mahayana sutra often emphasizing the supernatural and miraculous, whereas Ashvaghosha’s Buddhacharita is a classical Sanskrit Mahakavya.

Buddhist Biographical Literature

UPSC Archival Analysis

Exam Year

2014

Evidence Source

Link

ID: ART_LIT_2014_161 Ref: Standard Educational Reference

Composition of the biography of the Buddha occupies a special place in Buddhist literature. Which one among the following is a full-fledged biography of the Buddha?

AI Quick Summary (View Answer)

Correct Option: A

Lalitavistara is a Mahayana Buddhist sutra that serves as a full-fledged biography of Gautama Buddha, detailing his life from Tushita heaven to his first sermon.