Buddha Sangitis/Buddha Council

Council	Date	Location	Purpose	Outcome	Patron
First Buddhist Council	c. 483 BCE	Rajgir (Rajagriha), India	Compile Buddha’s teachings after his Mahaparinirvana.	Dhamma recited by Ananda; Vinaya recited by Upali.	King Ajatashatru
Second Buddhist Council	c. 383 BCE	Vaishali, India	Resolve disputes over monastic discipline (Vinaya).	Split into Sthaviras (Elders) and Mahasanghikas (laying the ground for future schisms).	Local Sangha Leaders
Third Buddhist Council	c. 250 BCE	Pataliputra, India	Clarify teachings and remove corruption/heretical views.	Systematization of Theravada teachings and compilation of the Abhidhamma.	Emperor Ashoka
Fourth Buddhist Council	1st century BCE / CE	Theravada: Sri Lanka Mahayana: Kashmir	Theravada: Write teachings in Pali. Mahayana: Systematize Mahayana doctrines.	Theravada: Pali Canon written down. Mahayana: Organized Mahayana texts.	King Kanishka (Mahayana)
Fifth Buddhist Council	1871 CE	Mandalay, Myanmar	Recitation and preservation of the Pali Canon.	Revision and reaffirmation of the Pali Canon.	King Mindon Min
Sixth Buddhist Council	1954-1956 CE	Yangon, Myanmar	Celebrate 2500 years of Buddhism and preserve teachings.	Final recitation of the Pali Canon and its reaffirmation.	Government of Myanmar

Key Discussion:
- Preservation of the Buddha’s teachings after his death.
- Debates on the correct interpretation and recitation of teachings.
Significance:
- Foundation for the oral tradition of Buddhism.
- Established the Dhamma (teachings) and Vinaya (discipline) as two key components of Buddhism.

Key Issues Addressed:
- Ten points of Vinaya practice, including disputes over monks handling gold and silver.
- Laxity in discipline among certain monks.
Significance:
- Early schism within the Sangha (monastic community).
- Emergence of the Mahasanghikas, paving the way for later Mahayana traditions.

Key Events:
- Convened under Emperor Ashoka, who sought to purify the Sangha.
- Addressed heretical views and improper practices by monks.
Significance:
- Formation of the Theravada Abhidhamma (higher teachings).
- Spread of Buddhism beyond India due to Ashoka’s patronage, including missions to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

Theravada (Sri Lanka):
- Key Achievement: Preservation of teachings by committing them to writing on palm leaves.
- Significance: Prevented loss of teachings due to oral tradition and external threats.
Mahayana (Kashmir):
- Key Discussions: Compilation and expansion of Mahayana texts, including philosophical treatises.
- Significance: Development of Mahayana doctrines like the Bodhisattva ideal.

Purpose:
- Recitation and revision of the Pali Canon to ensure its purity and accuracy.
Key Achievement:
- Canonical texts inscribed on 729 marble slabs at Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay.
Significance:
- Act of preservation during colonial influence in Myanmar.

Occasion:
- Celebrated 2500 years of Buddhism (Buddha Jayanti).
Key Focus:
- Review and recitation of the Pali Canon by scholars from Theravada countries.
Significance:
- Strengthened Theravada Buddhism’s unity and global presence.
- Enhanced international cooperation among Buddhist countries.

Preservation of the Dhamma and Vinaya:
The councils ensured that the teachings remained authentic and unaltered.
Evolution of Buddhist Schools:
Disagreements and interpretations during the councils contributed to the emergence of Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions.
Spread of Buddhism:
The councils supported the propagation of Buddhism to new regions, such as Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Codification of Scriptures:
Systematic compilation and writing of texts like the Pali Canon and Mahayana Sutras helped preserve Buddhist philosophy for future generations.

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