Q. Which of the following is/are cause/s for the spread & popularity of Buddhism?
1.It was open to people of all castes and women were admitted to the Sangha.
2.The Buddha’s personality and his rationale doctrine helped immensely in the popularity of Buddhism.
3.The Buddha’s teachings were in Prakrit which aided in the spread of Buddhism.
Choose the correct answer from below given codes:

[A] 1 only

[B] 1 and 2 only

[C] 2 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B
Notes:

Explanation: Buddhism left an abiding mark on the history of India and it gradually became popular in Magadha and other parts of the country.

With the support of Emperor Ashoka, it further spread its wings to Central Asia, West Asia and Sri Lanka, gradually transforming into a world religion. Various reasons are attributed to its spread:

  • Buddhism appealed to the common man as, unlike Brahmanism, it was far more liberal and democratic. Since it attacked the varna system, it particularly won the support of the lower classes. It was open to people of all castes, and even women were admitted to the Sangha.
  • The Buddha’s personality and his rationale doctrine helped immensely in the popularity of Buddhism.
  • Unlike Brahmanism, whose texts were in Sanskrit and hence accessible only to a few Brahmanas. The Buddha’s teachings were in Pali (the language of the common man), which further aided in the spread of Buddhism.

Source: Tamil Nadu NCERT