Question

This is the ascending order of time-period of Buddhist ācāryas.
(A) Śāntarakṣita
(B) Nāgārjuna
(C) Asaṅga
(D) Sañjayabelatthiputta
(E) Kumāralāta

• A. (A), (B), (C), (D), (E)
• B. (D), (E), (B), (C), (A)
• C. (C), (D), (A), (E), (B)
• D. (A), (D), (C), (B), (E)

Hint:

Order: Sañjaya → Kumāralāta → Nāgārjuna → Asaṅga → Śāntarakṣita.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Early philosopher.
Sañjayabelatthiputta was a contemporary philosopher of Buddha’s time (6th century BCE).
Step 2: Kumāralāta.
Lived around 1st century CE.
Step 3: Nāgārjuna.
Great Mahāyāna philosopher, 2nd century CE.
Step 4: Asaṅga.
Lived in 4th century CE, founder of Yogācāra school.
Step 5: Śāntarakṣita.
8th century CE philosopher who helped establish Buddhism in Tibet.
Step 6: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct ascending order is (D), (E), (B), (C), (A).