Question

Kanishka was the follower of
A.Hinduism
B.Jainism
C.Hinayanism
D.Mahayanism

Answer 1

Hint:We will discuss Kanishka. Kanishka was the ruler of the Kushan empire. He played an important role in the development of silk road.Kanishka’s kingdom was certainly vast. It was extended from southern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, north west to Pakistan and northern India.

Complete answer:
Kanishka transmitted mahayana Buddhism from gandhara. He contributed to Buddhist architecture as he built a stupa at Peshawar Pakistan. Buddhism was divided into mahayana and hinayana. Invasion of patliputra was done by him, he took Buddhist monk Asvaghosha to purushapura. Charaka and sushruta were in the court of kanishka. Kanishka defeated the Chinese king in second attempt. Kanishka fought against king han ho ti, who was king of the Han dynasty of China. Kanishka was the follower of mahayanism which is a new theory of Buddhism. Meaning the greater vehicle. It refers to seeking complete enlightenment and hence called bodhisattva vehicle.Buddhism split into (the Greater Vehicle) and Hinayana (the Lesser Vehicle.Hinayana-its main features: Hinayana was the earlier form of Buddhism. It regarded Budha as a great teacher and guide. It did not build temples or idols.Mahayana - its important features. The newer
Buddhists came to be known as the Mahayana Buddhists to distinguish from the older creed. They regarded the Buddha as God.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note:Hinayana laid emphasis on the salvation of the individual by directly observing the Eight-fold Path. It used Pali for its scriptures.Mahayana introduced elaborate rituals and adopted Sanskrit as a language of its scriptures.