[Solved] Who led the Buddhist Sangha after Buddha's Death?

Whom of the following did Gautam Buddha nominate for the leadership of Buddhist Sangha after his death?

[Uttarakhand P.C.S. Prelims 2002]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Buddha famously refused to appoint a human successor, choosing instead to leave the community under the guidance of his teachings.

Authentic Source Evidence

In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Buddha told Ananda: 'Let the Dhamma and the Vinaya (discipline) which I have taught and enjoined upon you be your teacher after I am gone.'

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option D is correct. There was no single nominated 'Head' or Pope of the Buddhist faith.

Logic 2: While Mahakassapa (B) presided over the First Council and Ananda (A) was his close companion, they were respected elders but not nominated 'leaders' of the global Sangha.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Why did Buddha not appoint a successor?"

He wanted the Sangha to be a democratic community guided by impersonal laws (Dhamma) rather than by the personal authority of a single leader.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The lack of a central leader allowed Buddhism to adapt into many regional forms (Theravada, Mahayana, Zen) while remaining united by the core Dhamma."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Dhamma 10

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