With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements.

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.

2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.

3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Let us analyze each statement carefully to understand why statements 2 and 3 are correct, and why statement 1 is incorrect.

Statement 1: "The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism."

This statement is incorrect. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, not Hinayana. This is one of the most fundamental distinctions between the two major schools of Buddhist thought:

- Hinayana Buddhism (also called Theravada) follows an individualistic path to salvation. The ideal of Hinayana is the Arhat — a person who attains personal liberation (Nirvana) through rigorous self-discipline and meditation. The focus is strictly on one's own spiritual liberation.

- Mahayana Buddhism, on the other hand, embraces a broader, more compassionate ideal. It elevates the concept of the Bodhisattva — an enlightened being who chooses to delay his own final liberation in order to help all other sentient beings achieve salvation. This altruistic vision is the very soul of Mahayana philosophy.

Therefore, Statement 1 is factually wrong — the Bodhisattva ideal belongs to Mahayana, not Hinayana.

Statement 2: "Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment."

This statement is correct. The word "Bodhisattva" is derived from two Sanskrit roots:

- Bodhi = Enlightenment or Awakening
- Sattva = Being or Essence

Together, a Bodhisattva literally means "a being oriented towards enlightenment" or "one whose essence is enlightenment." A Bodhisattva is characterized by immense compassion (karuna) and wisdom (prajna). He is on the path to becoming a fully enlightened Buddha but is driven by compassion for all living beings. This accurately describes a Bodhisattva, making Statement 2 correct.

Statement 3: "Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it."

This statement is also correct. This is the most defining and celebrated characteristic of the Bodhisattva ideal in Mahayana Buddhism. A Bodhisattva takes a sacred vow — known as the Bodhisattva Vow — to postpone his own entry into final Nirvana (Parinirvana) until every single sentient being in the universe has been guided to liberation.

This selfless postponement stands in sharp contrast to the Hinayana/Theravada ideal of the Arhat, who seeks personal liberation. The Bodhisattva's compassionate delay reflects the Mahayana teaching that true enlightenment cannot be fully realized while others are still suffering. This makes Statement 3 entirely correct.

Conclusion:

- Statement 1 is Wrong — Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana, not Hinayana.
- Statement 2 is Correct — A Bodhisattva is a compassionate being on the path to enlightenment.
- Statement 3 is Correct — A Bodhisattva delays personal salvation to uplift all sentient beings.

Hence, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making the answer "2 and 3 only."