List Of Buddhist Councils

The Buddhist council system is a series of assemblies that were held to preserve and propagate the teachings of the Buddha. These councils were convened after the passing away of the Buddha to compile, recite, and authenticate his teachings and the Vinaya, the code of conduct for Buddhist monks and nuns. The purpose of these councils was to maintain the purity and authenticity of the Buddha's teachings, which had been transmitted orally for centuries. In this article, we will discuss the history, significance, and outcomes of the Buddhist council system.

Introduction

The Buddhist council system is a tradition that began after the passing away of the Buddha in 483 BCE. The councils were held to preserve and propagate the Buddha's teachings, which were transmitted orally for centuries. The councils were attended by Buddhist monks and nuns from different regions, and their purpose was to recite and authenticate the teachings of the Buddha. In this article, we will explore the purpose and significance of the Buddhist council system.

The First Buddhist Council

The first Buddhist council was held in Rajagaha, India, in 483 BCE, three months after the passing away of the Buddha. The council was presided over by the senior monk Mahakasyapa and attended by 500 arhats, or enlightened monks. The purpose of the council was to recite and authenticate the teachings of the Buddha and to compile them into the Sutta Pitaka, one of the three divisions of the Tipitaka, the Buddhist canon.

The Second Buddhist Council

The second Buddhist council was held a century after the first council in Vaisali, India, in 383 BCE. The council was convened to resolve a dispute between two groups of monks who held different views on the Vinaya, the code of conduct for Buddhist monks and nuns. The council was presided over by the senior monk Sabakami and attended by 700 monks. The council concluded that the group that followed the stricter rules of the Vinaya was correct.

The Third Buddhist Council

The third Buddhist council was held in Pataliputra, India, in 250 BCE, under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka. The council was presided over by the senior monk Moggaliputta Tissa and attended by 1,000 monks. The purpose of the council was to purify the Sangha, the Buddhist monastic community, and to suppress the heretical views that had emerged. The council concluded that the teachings of the Buddha should be codified into three baskets, the Sutta Pitaka, the Vinaya Pitaka, and the Abhidhamma Pitaka.

The Fourth Buddhist Council

The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Sri Lanka in 29 BCE under the patronage of King Vattagamani. The council was convened to address the issues that had arisen in the Buddhist community after the death of the Buddha. These issues included disagreements on the interpretation of the Buddha's teachings, the role of the Sangha, and the use of the Pali language. The council aimed to resolve these disputes and standardize the teachings of Buddhism.

The Fifth Buddhist Council

The fifth Buddhist council was held in Mandalay, Myanmar, in 1871, under the patronage of King Mindon. The council was presided over by the senior monk Jagarabhivamsa and attended by 2,500 monks from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Cambodia. The purpose of the council was to recite and authenticate the teachings of the Buddha, and to revise the Pali Canon, the Buddhist canon in the Theravada tradition.

The Sixth Buddhist Council

The sixth Buddhist Council was held in Kaba Aye Pagoda, Myanmar, in 1954, under the patronage of Prime Minister U Nu. The council was attended by 2,500 monks from Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The purpose of the council was to recite and authenticate the teachings of the Buddha, and to revise the Pali Canon. The council also aimed to promote interfaith dialogue and to propagate Buddhism to the world.

The Seventh Buddhist Council

The seventh Buddhist council was held in Myanmar in 2016, under the patronage of President Thein Sein. The council was attended by 4,000 monks from Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The purpose of the council was to recite and authenticate the teachings of the Buddha and to preserve and propagate the Pali Canon for future generations.

The Significance of the Buddhist Council System

The Buddhist council system is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it played a crucial role in preserving and propagating the teachings of the Buddha. The councils ensured that the teachings were accurately recited and transmitted to future generations. Secondly, the councils promoted unity and cooperation among Buddhist monks and nuns from different regions. The councils provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and the resolution of disputes. Thirdly, the councils helped to establish the authority of the Buddhist scriptures. The councils authenticated the teachings and ensured their authenticity and purity.

The Outcomes of the Buddhist Council System

The outcomes of the Buddhist council system were manifold. The councils resulted in the compilation and authentication of the Buddhist scriptures, which provided a solid foundation for Buddhist doctrine and practice. The councils also helped to clarify and resolve disputes regarding the Vinaya, the code of conduct for Buddhist monks and nuns. Moreover, the councils promoted the spread of Buddhism to new regions, such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Southeast Asia. Finally, the councils helped to establish the authority of the Sangha, the Buddhist monastic community.

Criticisms of the Buddhist Council System

Despite its many benefits, the Buddhist council system has been criticized for various reasons. Some scholars argue that the councils were biased and promoted a particular sect of Buddhism, such as the Theravada or Mahayana traditions. Others argue that the councils were ineffective in preventing the spread of false teachings and heretical views. Moreover, some critics argue that the councils contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India, as they resulted in the fragmentation and sectarianism of the Buddhist community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Buddhist council system played a vital role in preserving and propagating the teachings of the Buddha. The councils helped to establish the authority of the Buddhist scriptures, the Sangha, and the Vinaya. The councils also promoted unity and cooperation among Buddhist monks and nuns from different regions. However, the Buddhist council system has also been criticized for various reasons. Despite its limitations, the Buddhist council system remains an essential part of Buddhist tradition and heritage.

FAQs

Q. What is the difference between the Theravada and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism?
A:The Theravada tradition emphasizes the teachings of the Pali Canon and emphasizes individual liberation from suffering through the practice of meditation and mindfulness. The Mahayana tradition, on the other hand, emphasizes compassion and the bodhisattva ideal, which involves the pursuit of enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Q. How were the decisions made in the Buddhist councils?
A:The decisions made in the Buddhist councils were based on consensus among the participating monks and nuns. The council would debate and discuss various issues until a unanimous decision was reached.

Q. How were the teachings of the Buddha transmitted before the Buddhist council system?
A: The teachings of the Buddha were transmitted orally by the Buddha's disciples. The teachings were memorized and recited by the monks and nuns, who would pass them on to their disciples.

Q. Why were the Buddhist councils held in different locations?
A:The Buddhist councils were held in different locations to accommodate the growing Buddhist community and to promote unity among the various regions.

Q. How has the Buddhist council system influenced modern Buddhism?
A:The Buddhist council system has influenced modern Buddhism by providing a framework for the preservation and propagation of Buddhist teachings. The councils have helped to standardize Buddhist practices and to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation among different Buddhist traditions.