U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 1998

Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The Doctrine of void (Shunyata) was propounded by the Buddhist philosopher:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Shunyata (Emptiness or Voidness) is a fundamental concept in Mahayana Buddhism, suggesting that all things are empty of an independent, permanent self or essence.

Explanation Nagarjuna (2nd century CE) is the primary architect of the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) school. He used logical dialectics to prove that since all things arise dependently (Pratityasamutpada), they are 'empty' of inherent existence.

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: Option A is correct. Nagarjuna's 'Mulamadhyamakakarika' is the foundational text for the Shunyata doctrine.

Logic 2: Nagasena (B) is famous for the 'Milinda Panha'. Ananda (C) was Buddha's close disciple. Ashvaghosha (D) was a poet who wrote the 'Buddhacharita'.

Active Recall

Question

Does 'Shunyata' mean that nothing exists?

Answer

No, it means that things exist only in relation to other factors, not by themselves; it is a rejection of 'independent' existence, not existence itself.

Core Insight

Nagarjuna's doctrine of voidness was a radical development that bridge the gap between early Buddhist logic and the later mystical traditions of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism.

The Doctrine of void (Shunyata) was propounded by the Buddhist philosopher:

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

Practice Navigation