2019 · Q69
Consider the following statements :
- 1According to Mahavamsa, Ashoka turned to the Buddha's dhamma when his nephew Nigrodha preached the doctrine to him.
- 2Divyavadana ascribes Ashoka being drawn to the Buddha's teaching to the influence of Samudra, a merchant-turned monk.
- 3Dipavamsa speaks of Samudra, the 12-year-old son of a merchant, as the key figure in Ashoka's coming under the influence of the Buddhist Dhamma.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
General KnowledgeHistory of India
- A1 only
- B2 only
- C1 and 2
- D1 and 3
Explanation
The Mahavamsa records that Nigrodha, Ashoka's young nephew-turned-monk, preached the dhamma to Ashoka; the Divyavadana credits Samudra, a merchant's son turned monk. The Dipavamsa follows the Nigrodha account and does not make the 12-year-old Samudra the central converter. So statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 3 is incorrect.