UPSC Prelims 2020 Question:

With reference to the cultural history of India

consider the following pairs:

1.	Parivrajaka	:	Renunciant and Wanderer
2.	Shramana	:	Priest with a high status
3.	Upasaka	:	Lay follower of Buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Explanation:

• • Wandering ascetics were referred to as Parivrajaka and Shramana. These were the monks or ascetics of from ancient India. The shramanas included monks and lay followers of various sects, including Buddhist, Jaina, Ajivika. So, pair 1 is correctly matched and pair 2 is not correctly matched.

• Upasaka means a lay follower of Buddhism. He is the one who believes in the three oaths and follows the Buddha’s doctrine but doesn’t renunciate the material world altogether and doesn’t become a Bhikkhu in the Sangha. So, pair 3 is correctly matched.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Buddhism and Jainism