Third Buddhist Council: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Third 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»] — Third Buddhist Council in Buddhism glossary
Source: archive.org: History of Indian Buddhism 2.1

The third Buddhist council was held in Pataliputra under the reign of Emperor Asoka after three centuries of the Parinirvana of the Buddha. It was really a council belonging to the Theravada or Vibhajjavada Buddhist Order. Therefore, this council represents only a need of the Theravada Buddhist monks of the day. Buddhaghosa in his Samantapasadika commentary to Vinaya, provides a detailed account of the council along with its background, which necessitated the occasion for the council.

This third Buddhist council occupies a special position in the history of the Theravada Buddhist tradition in particular and in the history of Buddhism in general. This can be evaluated in relation to three stages of the activities of the council namely, activities of the pre-council stage, activities of the council stage and the activities of the post council stage.

Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

Third Buddhist council (c. 250 BCE).—In striking contrast to the uniform accounts of the Second Council, there are records of several possible Third Councils. These different versions function to authorize the founding of one particular school or other.

According to the Theravada commentaries and chronicles, the Third Buddhist Council was convened by the Mauryan king Ashoka at Pataliputra (todays Patna), under the leadership of the monk Moggaliputta Tissa. Its objective was to purify the Buddhist movement, particularly from opportunistic factions which had been attracted by the royal patronage. The king asked the suspect monks what the Buddha taught, and they claimed he taught views such as eternalism, etc., which are condemned in the canonical Brahmajala Sutta. He asked the virtuous monks, and they replied that the Buddha was a Teacher of Analysis (Vibhajjavadin), an answer that was confirmed by Moggaliputta Tissa. The Council proceeded to recite the scriptures once more, adding to the canon Moggaliputta Tissas own book, the Kathavatthu, a discussion of various dissenting Buddhist views now contained in the Theravada Abhidhamma Pitaka.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: