Fifth Buddhist Council: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Fifth Buddhist Council means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Fifth Buddhist Council in Buddhism glossary
Source: archive.org: Maha Bodhi And The United Buddhist World Vol. 50

The fifth Buddhist council.—During the reign of King Mindou (1853-78) of the Alaungpaya Dynasty, there were in Mandalay eighty learned Maha Theras, holding the title of Rajadhiraja-Guru conferred by the king, and, learning the Scriptures under them, there were sixty thousand monks. All of them had the royal support. From amongst these two thousand four hundred of the ablest monks were chosen and made to scrutinise the records of the Tripitaka carefully for a period of six months, and these were then inscrib- ed on marble slabs, which are located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. This council was called in Burma as the Fifth Buddhist Council, and henceforth King Mindon assumed the title of the Convener of the Fifth Buddhist Council.

Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

Fifth Buddhist council (1871 A.D.).—Another Buddhist Council, this time presided by Theravada monks took place in Mandalay Burma in 1871 in the reign of King Mindon. The chief objective of this meeting was to recite all the teachings of the Buddha and examine them in minute detail to see if any of them had been altered, distorted or dropped. It was presided over by three Elders, the Venerable Mahathera Jagarabhivamsa, the Venerable Narindabhidhaja, and the Venerable Mahathera Sumangalasami in the company of some two thousand four hundred monks (2,400). Their joint Dhamma recitation lasted for five months.

It was also the work of this council to approve the entire Tripitaka inscribed for posterity on seven hundred and twenty nine marble slabs in the Burmese script before its recitation. This monumental task was done by the monks and many skilled craftsmen who upon completion of each slab had them housed in beautiful miniature pitaka pagodas on a special site in the grounds of King Mindons Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill where it and the so called largest book in the world, stands to this day. This Council is not generally recognized outside Burma.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: