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History of Buddhist Council

First Buddhist Council (circa 483 BCE):

  • Held shortly after the passing of Gautama Buddha in Rajgir, India.
  • Presided over by Mahakassapa and attended by 500 arhats (enlightened monks).
  • Aimed to recite and codify the Buddha’s teachings (Sutras) and Vinaya (monastic rules).
  • Resulted in the compilation of the Tripitaka (Three Baskets) – the teachings, discipline, and philosophical discourse of Buddhism.

Second Buddhist Council (circa 383 BCE):

  • Held in Vesali, India, a century after the first council.
  • Primarily focused on the adoption of stricter monastic rules by the Mahasanghika sect.
  • Led to the division of the Buddhist sangha into two major schools: Theravada and Mahasanghika.

Third Buddhist Council (circa 250 BCE):

  • Convened by Emperor Ashoka in Pataliputra (present-day Patna, India).
  • Aimed to reconcile doctrinal differences and purify the Sangha from corruption.
  • Resulted in the establishment of the Sarvastivada and Vibhajjavada schools and the dispatch of Buddhist missionaries to spread the Dharma (teachings) beyond India.

Fourth Buddhist Council (circa 1st century CE):

  • Held in Kashmir under the patronage of King Kanishka.
  • Addressed philosophical and doctrinal disputes, particularly concerning the Abhidharma (higher teachings).
  • Led to the compilation of commentaries and interpretations of Buddhist texts, contributing to the development of Mahayana Buddhism.

Fifth Buddhist Council (5th century CE):

  • Convened in Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma), under the sponsorship of King Mindon.
  • Aimed to purify and standardize the Theravada Tipitaka (Pali Canon).
  • Resulted in the meticulous recitation and recording of Buddhist scriptures and commentaries.

Sixth Buddhist Council (1954 CE):

  • Organized in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma), under the patronage of Prime Minister U Nu.
  • Aimed to recite and preserve the entire Theravada Tipitaka in Roman script to facilitate its dissemination to the Western world.
  • Resulted in the publication of the “Sixth Council Edition” of the Pali Canon.

List of Buddhist Councils

Buddhist councils were important meetings where Buddhist monks and scholars gathered to discuss and preserve the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Buddhist councils helped ensure the Buddha’s message was accurately passed down through generations.

Buddhist councils also provided a platform for resolving disagreements and clarifying Buddhist doctrines. By studying these councils, we can learn a lot about the history and development of Buddhism.

Buddhist Councils

Table of Content

  • What is a Buddhist Council?
  • History of Buddhist Council
  • List of Buddhist Council
  • Buddhist Councils With Places
  • Important Buddhist texts:
  • Spread of Buddhism
  • Decline of Buddhism In India

Similar Reads

What is a Buddhist Council?

Buddhist Councils are gatherings organized by Buddhist monastic communities and monks after the passing of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama. These assemblies focus on reciting Buddhist literature, texts, and philosophy. The main objectives include reviewing, editing, and clarifying the contents of the Sutras, resolving doctrinal and disciplinary disputes, and determining the best course of action. Six Buddhist councils have been held throughout history, each chaired by different monks and hosted by various rulers. The primary goals of Buddhist councils are to preserve the sanctity of Buddhism and promote its propagation. Reliable historical data on these councils is limited, but significant Buddhist writings containing accounts of these gatherings serve as important sources of evidence. The six Buddhist Councils mark significant moments in Buddhist history, with the first council occurring in the fifth century BCE following Gautama Buddha’s passing, and the most recent one taking place in 1954 in Burma (now Myanmar)....

History of Buddhist Council

First Buddhist Council (circa 483 BCE):...

List of Buddhist Council

1st Buddhist Council (circa 483 BCE):...

Buddhist Councils With Places

The Following is the six Buddhist councils Gautama Buddha’s passing away in 483 B.C,:...

Important Buddhist texts:

Buddhist writings were gathered and assembled almost 500 years after the Buddha’s passing. The most important sources of Buddhism are the Tripitakas / Tipitaka written in the Pali language. They are:...

Spread of Buddhism:

India is where Buddhism first emerged in the sixth century BCE. Over the following few centuries, it quickly expanded throughout Asia. Numerous elements contributed to the spread of Buddhism, including:...

Decline of Buddhism In India:

When Muslim forces entered the region in the 12th century CE, Buddhism in India started to vanish. Numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries were destroyed. Numerous monks died or had to escape. Over the following centuries, Buddhism’s downfall persisted. Buddhism had all but vanished from India by the 1800s....

Conclusion on Buddhist Councils

The Buddhist Councils are gatherings that have been called over the years following the demise of Gautama Buddha to recite the traditional teachings and scriptures. They also kept his standards of discipline and his teachings, known as the Sutta. The councils were also established to resolve theological disagreements. While the fifth and sixth Buddhist councils—which are convened in what is now Myanmar—are mostly ignored outside of Burma, the first four were held in antiquity and are acknowledged by all....

Buddhist Councils – FAQs

What are Buddhist Councils?...

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