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Home / IAS Preparation / Buddhist Councils and Important Texts - Ancient History NCERT Notes For UPSC

Buddhist Councils and Important Texts - Ancient History NCERT Notes For UPSC

Last Updated on Apr 27, 2021
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Buddhism is a faith which was founded by Gautama Buddha and it is the world’s Fourth largest religion. After the death of Gautama Buddha, Buddhist councils were convened periodically in order to recite the important texts of Buddhism and to settle the doctrinal and disciplinary disputes that arose back then.

The contents of the sutras were also revised and corrected in the Buddhist councils. There is only little reliable evidence available for these councils. One such evidence is some important texts of Buddhism where the accounts of these councils were recorded.

NCERT Notes on Buddist councils and Important text are crucial for UPSC preliminary examination. Keep reading the below section for more details on Buddhist Councils and important texts.

Buddhist Councils and Important Texts (UPSC Ancient History) NCERT Notes: Download PDF here

Buddhist Councils

Following the death of Gautama Buddha in 483 B.C. Six Buddhist councils were convened under the patronage of different kings.

First Buddhist Council 

  • The First Buddhist council is said to have conveyed immediately after the Parinirvana of Buddha i.e. Nirvana after death.
  • It was convened under the patronage of the King Ajatasatru
  • It was held at a cave near Rajagriha.
  • The first Buddhist council was headed by Mahakasapa.
  • The main objective of the council was to preserve and maintain the purity of the teachings of Buddha.
  • Buddha’s sayings which are known as Suttas were recited by Ananda and the monastic rules which is known as Vinaya were recited by Upali.
  • Ananda and Upali were among the ten chief disciples of Buddha.

Second Buddhist Council 

  • The second Buddhist council convened nearly 100 years after the death of Gautama Buddha.
  • The council was held at Vaishali.
  • It was convened under the patronage of the King Kalasoka.
  • It was presided over by the priest Sabakami.
  • The objective of this council was to settle down the dispute related to Vinaya (rules of discipline) that were followed by monks at Vaishali.
  • The second Buddhist council marked the split of monks into two groups
    1. Mahasanghikas – The group of monks who followed the relaxed practises and rules of Vaishali monks
    2. Theravadins – The group of monks who preserved the original spirit of Buddha’s teachings.

Learn about NCERT Ancient History Notes: Gupta Empire here.

Third Buddhist Council 

  • The third Buddhist council was convened at Pataliputra around 250 BC.
  • This council was held under the patronage of emperor Ashoka
  • The monk Moggaliputta Tissa presided over this council.
  • The objectives of the third Buddhist council:
    1. To reconcile different schools of Buddhism
    2. To purify the Buddhist movements from opportunistic factions who were attracted by the royal patronage of Sangha.
  • The final version of Tripitakas was completed in this council.
  • The Buddhism propagated by Ashoka was Hinayana which was preached by Buddha.

Check out NCERT notes on Persian and Greek Invasions of India here.

Fourth Buddhist Council 

  • The Fourth Buddhist council was convened under the patronage of Kanishka
  • It was convened in 78 AD at Kundalban in Kashmir
  • It was held under the chairmanship of Vasumitra and Asvagosha also participated in the council.
  • During this council Mahayana school of Buddhism came into existence. Thus Buddhism was divided into two sects – Hinayana and Mahayana.
  • The aim of the Fourth Buddhist Council was to systemize the Abhidharma texts which were translated from Prakit to Sanskrit.

Fifth Buddhist Council 

  • The Fifth Buddhist council took place in 1871 at Mandalay in Burma (Myanmar).
  • It was convened under the patronage of King Mindon.
  • It was presided over by three elders who were accorded a great deal of respect – Jagarabhivamsa, Narindabhidhaja, Sumangalasami
  • The main objective of this council was to recite all the teachings of Gautama Buddha and to check if anything has been altered or dropped.

Sixth Buddhist Council 

  • The Sixth Buddhist council was convened in 1954 under the patronage of U Nu, the then Prime Minister of Burma.
  • The construction of an artificial cave called Maha Passana Guha was authorised by him in this council.
  • The objective of this council was to preserve Dhamma (Dharma) and Vinaya (Rules of Discipline)
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You might also like to check NCERT notes on Ashoka- Life and Dhamma.

Important Buddhist texts
  • Buddhist texts were collected and compiled nearly after 500 years of Buddha’s death.
  • The most important Buddhist texts are the Tripitakas -Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Vinaya Pittaka 

  • Vinaya Pittaka consists of the rules of conduct and discipline which are applicable to the monastic life of Monks and nuns
  • It was compiled in the First Buddhist council and was recited by Upali
  • It is further divided into
    1. Suttavibhanga
    2. Khandhaka
    3. Parivara

Sutta Pitaka 

  • The Sutta pitaka deals with the main teachings and Dhammas of Buddha.
  • It consists of about 10,000 Suttas related to Buddha and his close followers.
  • Sutta Pitaka is divided into five Nikayas
    1. Digha Nikaya
    2. Majjhima Nikaya
    3. Samyutta Nikaya
    4. Anguttara Nikaya
    5. Khuddaka Nikaya

Abhidhamma pitaka 

  • Abhidhamma Pitaka deals with the philosophical analysis and systematization of the teachings of monks

Other Important Buddhist Texts

Some of the other important Buddhist texts are as follows

Milinda Panha

  • It consists of a record of conversation between Buddhist Sage Nagasena and the Indo – Greek king Menander who is known as Milinda
  • This is included as a part of Khuddaka Nikaya of Sutta Pitaka

Buddha charita

  • Buddha charita is an epic poem written by Asvagosha
  • It depicts the life of Gautama Buddha

You can check NCERT notes on Sugna Dynastyhere.

Conclusion

The Buddhist Councils and important texts played a very crucial role in the spread of Buddhism. However the historicity and the details related to the councils are still a matter of debate.

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Buddhist Council and Important Texts NCERT Notes FAQs

Six Buddhist councils were conducted under the patronage of various Kings.

The Fourth Buddhist Council was convened under the patronage of Kanishka and it was presided over by Vasumitra.

The fourth Buddhist council was convened in 78 A.D. at Kundalban in Kashmir

The first Buddhist council was convened inorder to preserve and maintain the teachings of Buddha. It was convened soon after the death of Buddha.

The important Buddhist texts are Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka. They are known as Tripitakas.
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