Buddhist Councils
Buddhist Councils and Important Texts There are four Buddhist councils, the first one being held around 483 BC under the patronage of King Ajatshatru of the Haryanka Dynasty under Magadha Empire. The other three Buddhist councils were held around 383 BCE, 250 BCE, and 72 AD respectively. List of Buddhist Councils Four Buddhist Councils were held under different kings. First Buddhist Council Conducted under the patronage of King Ajatasatru of Haryanka dynasty. The council was established in order to arrive at a consensus on how the teachings of the Buddha could be spread further. It was held in 483 BC just after Buddha’s demise. It was held at Sattapani caves (Sattaparnaguha) in Rajagriha. The monk who presided over the first council was Mahakassapa. Main objective was to preserve the Buddha’s teachings. At this council, Ananda composed the Suttapitaka (Buddha’s Teachings) and Mahakassapa composed the Vinaypitaka (monastic code). Second Buddhist Council Conducted under ...