Question

Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : The first Nun (Bhikṣuṇī) going outside of India to propagate Dharma was Saṅghamitrā. Reason (R) : Queen of Śrīlaṅkā, Anulā ordained in Bauddha Dharma by Saṅghamitrā. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Remember the famous Buddhist missionary pair associated with Śrīlaṅkā:
• Mahinda -- established the Bhikkhu (monk) order.
• Saṅghamitrā -- established the Bhikṣuṇī (nun) order and brought the Bodhi Tree sapling. Both were children of Emperor Aśoka and played a major role in spreading Buddhism outside India.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The spread of Buddhism beyond India became highly organized during the reign of Emperor Aśoka in the 3rd century BCE. One of the most significant Buddhist missions was sent to Śrīlaṅkā. While Mahinda introduced Buddhism to the island, the establishment of the Bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha required an ordained Buddhist nun. This responsibility was fulfilled by Saṅghamitrā, the daughter of Emperor Aśoka.

Step 1: Analyzing Assertion (A). Assertion (A) states that Saṅghamitrā was the first Buddhist nun to travel outside India for the propagation of Dharma. This statement is historically correct. According to the Sri Lankan chronicles Mahāvaṃsa and Dīpavaṃsa, Saṅghamitrā traveled from India to Śrīlaṅkā during the reign of King Devānampiya Tissa. She carried a branch of the sacred Bodhi Tree from Bodhgayā and established the Bhikṣuṇī order in Sri Lanka. Her journey is considered the earliest recorded foreign Buddhist mission led by a nun. Therefore, Assertion (A) is true.

Step 2: Analyzing Reason (R). Reason (R) states that Queen Anulā of Śrīlaṅkā was ordained into Buddhism by Saṅghamitrā. This statement is also historically correct. After Mahinda preached Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Queen Anulā and many royal women desired ordination into the Buddhist monastic order. Since Buddhist disciplinary rules required ordained nuns for female ordination, Saṅghamitrā was invited to Sri Lanka. Upon arriving there, she formally ordained Queen Anulā along with several hundred women. This event marked the establishment of the Bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha in Sri Lanka. Hence, Reason (R) is true.

Step 3: Evaluating the relationship between Assertion and Reason. Now we examine whether Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A). Saṅghamitrā traveled outside India specifically to establish the female Buddhist monastic order and to ordain Queen Anulā and other women. Thus, the ordination of Queen Anulā was not merely an isolated event but the central purpose of Saṅghamitrā’s mission. Therefore, Reason (R) directly explains why Saṅghamitrā became the first Buddhist nun to propagate Buddhism outside India.

Step 4: Conclusion. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are historically correct, and Reason (R) properly explains Assertion (A). Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.