Question

Which one of the following Buddhist literary sources contain information about the Mauryan period?

• A. Dipavamsha
• B. Mahaparinibbana Sutta
• C. Divyavadana
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

The Ashokavadana and Divyavadana are two Buddhist texts containing information about Bindusara, Ashoka's expeditions to Taxila to suppress a rebellion and about his conversion to Buddhism. Dipavamsha and Maha Vamsa describe in detail the role played by Ashoka in the spreading of Buddhism in SriLanka. Chaitra or Parisisthaparvan (biography of Chanakya) of Hemachandra provides very interesting information on Chandra Gupta Maurya. Likewise, Mahaparinibbana Sutta contains information about Magadh Empire.