With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets? (2024)1. Nayaputta2. Shakyamuni3. TathagataSelect the correct answer using the code given below:
✓ Correct answer: b) 2 and 3 only
ExplanationOption (b) is correct : Shakyamuni epithet is widely used in Buddhist texts such as the Lalitavistara Sutra and Mahayana scriptures for Gautama Buddha "Shakyamuni" means "Sage of the Shakya Clan." Gautama Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha in the Shakya clan which ruled the region of Kapilavastu (modern Nepal-India border).Tathagata means "The One Who Has Thus Gone (Tatha- gata) or Thus Come (Tatha-agata)," referring to Buddha's enlightened state and transcendence over worldly existence.It is one of the most common epithets used by Gautama Buddha himself in Pali Canon texts like the Digha Nikaya and Majjhima Nikaya.Additional Information : Nayaputta(Son of the Naya Clan) was a title used for Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.The term Nayaputta is derived from "Jnanaputra", meaning "Son of the Jnana Clan (Nyagrodha or Naya clan).He was born into the Naya clan of the Kshatriya community in Vaishali.
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