With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas' ?
A
The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
B
Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
C
Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
Correct Answer
D
Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India
Explanation
The term 'paramitas' refers to the spiritual perfections or transcendental virtues—such as generosity, morality, and wisdom—that a practitioner must master to fulfill the Bodhisattva path toward enlightenment in Mahayana Buddhism. Option (b) is a common distractor because while Buddhism is a heterodox school that rejects Vedic authority, 'paramitas' specifically denotes the ethical qualities required for spiritual progress rather than the classification of the school itself. The core concept being tested is the fundamental terminology and the path of spiritual development within Buddhist philosophy.
Buddhism and JainismBuddhist TerminologyparamitasBodhisattva pathperfections