Buddhist Councils

Mar 2022|🟢Current|4 min read|26 entries

Key Takeaway

Buddhist Councils are gatherings that met in the centuries after Gautama Buddha's death to recite authorized scriptures and settle doctrinal disagreements.

Last verified: 12 Feb 2026·Source: www.pscarivukal.com

Buddhist Councils(26)

First Buddhist Council (483 BC)Held at
Sattapanni caves, Mount Vebhara(Rajgriha)
Under the patronage of
King Ajatashatru(Haryanka dynasty)
Presided by
Monk Mahakasyapa
Agenda
to preserve the teachings(Sutta)of the Buddha and the monastic discipline and guidelines for monks(Vinaya).It was held 3 months after the Buddha’s death
Second Buddhist Council (383 BC)Held at
Chullavanga, Vaishali(Bihar)
Under the patronage of
King Kalasoka (Shishunaga dynasty)
Presided by
Sabakami
Agenda
to settle the disagreements of different subdivisions
Third Buddhist Council (250 BC)Held at
Asokarama Vihar, Pataliputra in the Magadha Empire
Under the patronage of
Emperor Ashoka(Maurya Dynasty)
Presided by
Moggaliputta Tissa(Upagupta)
Agenda
to analyze the different schools of Buddhism and to purify them
Fourth Buddhist Council (72 AD)Held at
Kundala Vana, Kashmir
Under the patronage of
Kanishka I(Kushan dynasty)
Presided by
Vasumitra & Asvaghosha (Deputy)
Agenda
the reconciliation of various conflicts between different schools of thought.serious conflict between the Sarvasthivada teachers of Kashmir and Gandhara
Fifth Buddhist Council (1871)Held at
Mandalay, Burma(Mynamar)
Under the patronage of
King Mindon of the Kingdom of Burma
Presided by
Jagarabhivamsa, Narindabhidhaja & Sumangalasami
Agenda
to recite all the Buddhist learning and scrutinize them in minuscule details
Sixth Buddhist Council (1954)Held at
Kaba Aye in Yangon(Rangoon), Myanmar
Duration
May 1954 to May 1956
Under the patronage of
Prime Minister U. Nu of the Republic of Myanmar
Presided by
Mahasi Sayadaw & Bhadanta Vicittasarabhivamsa
Agenda
to uphold and preserve the authentic Dhamma and Vinaya of Buddhism and to commemorate the2500th anniversary of the death of Gautama Buddha.A special Maha Passana Guha(an artificial cave)was built which was similar to the cave where the first Buddhist council was held
Buddhist CouncilsTimeVenuePatronPresided byFeatures1483 BCRajagrihaAjatashatruMahakasyapaTripithakas were compiled2383 BCVaishaliKalasokaSabakamiDivision into Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas3250 BCPataliputraAshokaMogaliputta TissaTo analyze the different schools of Buddhism and  to purify them472 ADKashmirKanishkaVasumitraDivided into Mahayana and Hinayana51871 ADMandalayKing MindonJagarabhivamsa, Narindabhidhaja & SumangalasamiTo recite all the Buddhist learning and scrutinize them61954 ADKaba AyeU. NuMahasi Sayadaw &Bhadanta VicittasarabhivamsaTo preserve the authentic Dhamma and Vinaya PitakaSideNotes:Most no.of Buddhist followers in India are found in
Maharashtra (58.3%)