Buddhist Councils and Symbols developed after Lord Buddha:

Gautam Buddha was the founder of Buddhism during the 6th century BCE. He spread the knowledge through his sermons at various places. ater his death in 483 BCE in KusiNagar which was the capital of Mala Mahajanapada. After his death, Buddhists Council started to form and they used to held meetings about how give the knowledge of Buddhism to people.

 

Spread of Buddhism in Ancient India [6th Century BCE – 4th Century BCE]

• The FIRST Buddhist Council was held at RAJGIR which is presently in Bihar in the year 483 BCE after the death of Gautam Buddha.

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• The Chairman/president of the first council was MAHAKASSAPA.

• The Patron King of the 1st Buddhist Council was AJATSHATRU.

• Two important literary work were published during the 1st Buddhist Council –
  1. Suttapitaka :
  i.   The Suttapitaka  was written in Pali language i.e. Prakrit language.
  ii.  This literary work or book contains mainly the sermons of Buddha about more than 10000 teachings.
  iii. This book deals with the life history of Buddha.
  2. Vinayapitaka :
  i.   The Vinayapitaka was also written in Pali or Prakrit language.
  ii.  This book contains the Code of Conduct for Monks/Sangha (orders of monks).
  iii. This book deals with the Monastic Discipline i.e. the rules and regulations to follow for Buddhist Monastics.
  iv.  This book contains 227 rules for Bhikkhus and 311 rules for Bhikkhunis.

• The SECOND Buddhist Council was held at VAISHALI which is presently in Bihar, exactly after 100 years of the first Buddhist Council i.e. in 383 BCE.

• The Chairman/President of the 2nd Buddhist Council was KALASHOKA. He was the King of Magadha and also the second king of Shishunaga Dynasty.

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• In this Council there was a slight division which was formed in between the followers of Buddhism. Mainly there was two division in this council :
  1. Theravadi : These were the people who believed and followed the thoughts given by Lord Buddha.
  2. MahaSanghika : These were the people who brought new thoughts in Buddhism.

• The THIRD Buddhist Council was held at Patliputra which is presently in Patna, Bihar and it was held at 250 BCE.

• The Chairman/President of the third Buddhist Council was MOGGLIPUTTA TISSA or TISSA.

• The Patron King of the 3rd Buddhist Council was King Ashoka.

• In this council, a literary work was published i.e. a book was published. This is the third holy book of Buddhism –
  3. Abhidhamma Pitaka :
  i.   The Abhidhamma Pitaka was written in Pali language or Prakrit language.
  ii.  The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a detailed scholastic analysis and summary of the Buddha’s teaching in the Suttas. Here the suttas are reworked into a schematized system of general principles that might be called ‘Buddhist Psychology’.
  iii. The Abhidhamma Pitaka is the last of the three pitakas constituting the Pali Canon, the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism.

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• These three holy books Suttapitaka, Vinayapitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka altogether is called TRIPITAKA.

• Ashoka was the first person who took Buddhism outside India i.e. to Sri Lanka.

• Ashoka sent his children Mahinda and Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka to preach Buddhism there.

• The FOURTH Buddhist Council was held at Kundalawana which is presently in Kashmir in 1st Century A.D.

• The Chairman/President of the fourth Buddhist Council was Vasumitra. He was also a Buddhist Monk.

• The Patron King of the 4th Buddhist Council was King Kanishka. He was the king of Kushan Dynasty.

• In this Council, the real division of Buddhism was done.

• Buddhism was split into two :
  1. Hinyana : These were basically the Theravadi people. They did not believe in idol worship.
  2. Mahayana : These people believed in idol worship and mantras.

• Kanishka was the first follower of Mahayana and he also spread Buddhism outside India.

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• Important followers of Buddhism are : Bimbisara, Ajatsatru, Ashoka, Kanishka, Pol dynasty(Gopala).

Sumbols of worship in Buddhism are :

1. Birth – Lotus/Bull/Elephant.

2. Renunciation – Horse.

3. Enlightement – Peeple.

4. 1st Sermon – Dharmachakra (8 spokes).

5. Death – Stupa.

6. Vihara – Residence of Monks. [Kumargupta-I was the first person who stayed in Vihara first].

7. Chaitya – Temples of Buddhist.

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Ancient Indian History Notes for SSC and RRB exams