Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Gautam Buddha, who lived between 563 and 483 BCE and lived between 563 and 483 BCE. The Buddhist monastic sangha has met on a regular basis since the death of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, to settle doctrinal and disciplinary conflicts, as well as review and correct the contents of the sutras. "Buddhist councils" is a phrase used to describe these gatherings. The Six Buddhist Councils constituted significant turning moments in Buddhism's early history. This article will explain to you the Buddhist Councils, which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil Service Examination.

Buddhism

• Buddhism began approximately 2,600 years ago in India as a way of life with the capacity to transform a person.
• It is one of the most important religions in the countries of South and Southeast Asia.
• The religion was founded on the teachings and life experiences of Siddhartha Gautam, who was born in 563 BCE.
• Buddhist Councils highlighted pivotal moments in Buddhism's early history.
• Gautama attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree in Bodhgaya, a hamlet in Bihar, after 49 days of meditation.
• In the village of Sarnath, near the city of Benares in Uttar Pradesh, Buddha preached his first sermon.
• Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana(turning of the wheel of law) is the name given to this occurrence.
• In 483 BCE, he died at the age of 80 in Kushinagara, a town in Uttar Pradesh. Mahaparinibbana is the name of the event.
• Buddhist council, any of various gatherings that took place in the centuries after the Buddha's death to recite approved scriptures and settle doctrinal disagreements.
• There is little trustworthy evidence of the councils' historicity, and not all councils are recognised by all traditions; they have occasionally caused schisms within the Buddhist community.

Buddhist Councils

First Council

• The first Buddhist council is claimed to have taken place shortly after Buddha's Parinirvana, circa 483 BC, under King Ajatshatru's sponsorship and presided over by Mahakasyapa, a monk.
• The meeting took place at Rajgriha's Sattapani cave.
• The council was convened in order to preserve Buddha's teachings (Sutta) and disciple norms. The Buddha's teachings were separated into three Pitakas during this meeting.
• The Buddhist order's regulations are mostly contained in the Vinaya Pitaka. Upali was the one who recited this.
• At this council, Ananda composed the Sutta Pitaka (Buddha's teachings) while Mahakassapa composed the Vinaya Pitaka (Monastic Code).
• Ananda recited the Sutta Pitaka. It offers one of the most comprehensive compilations of Buddha's teachings on doctrine and ethical ideas.
• The First Buddhist Council is regarded as a watershed moment in Buddhism because it determines how Buddhism is taught to this day.

Second Council

• After 100 years had passed since Lord Buddha's death, the second Buddhist Council was held.
• In 383 BC, it was conducted in Vaishali, a Bihar village, under the patronage of King Kalasoka. Sabakami presided over the event.
• The Second Buddhist Council's agenda was to resolve divisions among Buddhist subdivisions.
• The Mahasanghikas were rejected as canonical Buddhist writings by this council. As a result, the council is regarded as historic.
• The Buddhist order was separated into two groups: Theravada Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika.
• The first group, known as Thera (meaning Elder in Pali), was made up of older people who desired to keep Buddha's teachings in their original form.
• The Mahasanghika (Great Community) was a more liberal group than Theravadins, and they freely interpreted the Buddha's teachings.
• The schism was caused by minor differences in monastic discipline.
• The Second Buddhist Council unanimously decided not to loosen any of the restrictions and condemned the monks who had been accused of breaking the 10 principles.

Third Council

• The Magadha Empire's third Buddhist council was held at Pataliputra.
• It took place in 250 BC, under Ashoka's patronage, and was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.
• Its goal was to bring together the various Buddhist schools and purify the Buddhist movement, notably from opportunistic factions drawn by royal support.
• Moggaliputta Tissa recounted the solutions to doctrinal issues and disagreements formed at the Third Council in the Kathavatthu, one of the Abhidhamma Pitaka's books.
• Sthaviravada Institution was established as an orthodox school, with the belief that the past, present, and future are all present at the same time. They could have had a formative influence on Mahayana.
• The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a codification of Buddhist philosophy published in Pali.
• As a result of this Buddhist council, Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to various locations such as Gandhara, Kashmir, and Sri Lanka, among others, to impart the Buddha's teachings and teachings.
• However, the missions were only successful in Gandhara, Kashmir, and Sri Lanka.

Forth Council

• It took place in Kashmir's Kundalvana in the year 72 AD.
• Vasumitra presided, with Asvaghosa as his deputy, and it was held under the patronage of King Kanishka of the Kushan Empire.
• The fourth Buddhist Council had to deal with a significant controversy between Kashmiri and Gandharan Sarvasthivada professors.
• Their most important books were translated into Sanskrit from Pali.
• The ideas of the Sarvasthivada were divided into three main commentaries on the Pitakas.
• There were two sects of Buddhism: Mahayan and Hinayan.
• The Mahayana sect, on the one hand, believed in idol worship, rites, and Bodhisattvas.
• They worshipped the Buddha as if he were their God. Both Pali and Sanskrit scriptures were incorporated in the Mahayana movement.
• Hinayana, on the other hand, preserved the Buddha's basic teachings and practices. They strictly followed the Pali scriptures.
• Following the Fourth Buddhist Council, a succession of smaller Buddhist Councils was convened under the direction of Theravada Buddhist Monks and were referred to as Theravada Buddhist Councils (Fifth and Sixth)

Fifth Council

• Mandalay, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, hosted the fifth Buddhist council in 1871.
• It was sponsored by King Mindon of the Kingdom of Burma.
• Jagarabhivamsa, Narindabhidhaja, and Sumangalasami presided over the Fifth Buddhist Council.
• This council's agenda was to recite all of Buddhism's teachings and evaluate them in minute detail.
• Apart from Burma, no significant Buddhist countries had representation at the council, hence it is largely unknown outside of Myanmar.

Sixth Council

• At Kaba Aye in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar, the sixth Buddhist Council met (Burma)
• It was held under the auspices of Myanmar's Prime Minister, U. Nu.
• Mahasi Sayadaw and Bhadanta Vicittasarabhivamsa presided over the Sixth Buddhist Council.
• The Fifth Buddhist Council's agenda was to defend and preserve Buddhism's original Dhamma and Vinaya.
• A special Maha Passana Guha (cave) was constructed, which was modelled after the cave where the first Buddhist council took place.

The Significance of Buddhist Councils

• Buddhist Councils are some of the most important institutions that influence Buddhism's flow.
• Many Senior monks, such as Mahakasyapa and Upali, were concerned about the lessons, Dharma preachings, and discipline of all Buddhist monks after Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana in Kushinagar, India.
• Buddhist Councils convened over the millennia have altered the trajectory of Buddhism, resulting in the current Buddhism.
• The creation of two of the earliest Buddhist traditions, Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist Schools, was one of the most significant changes that occurred during the early Buddhist council.
• The developments in Buddhism may be seen in the history of early Buddhist schools, such as the translation of many original Buddha's sutras and teachings.
• Many Buddhist Councils have been convened over time, and the six most notable Buddhist Councils that have changed the flow of Buddhism are listed below.

Conclusion

Buddhism is one of the most widely practiced religions in South and Southeast Asia. Since the death of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, Buddhist monk sangha have gathered on a regular basis to settle doctrinal and disciplinary disputes, as well as evaluate and correct the contents of the sutras. These get-togethers are referred to as Buddhist councils.