---
type: LearningResource
title: "Buddhist and Jain Councils UPSC Notes | Complete Guide 2025"
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tags: ["study-material", "notes", "indian-gk"]
---
# Buddhist and Jain Councils UPSC Notes | Complete Guide 2025

## Ancient Jain and Buddhist Councils

Historically, major ecumenical councils were convened in ancient India to preserve, debate, and compile the teachings of Jainism and Buddhism.

## 1. Jain Councils

### First Jain Council

- Location: Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar)
- Patron King: Chandragupta Maurya
- Period: c. 3rd century BC (around 322–300 BC)
- Presided By: Sthulabhadra
- Key Outcome: Compilation of the 12 Angas to replace the lost 14 Purvas.

### Second Jain Council

- Location: Vallabhi (Gujarat)
- Period: c. 5th–6th century AD (around 512 AD)
- Presided By: Devardhi Kshamasramana
- Key Outcome: Final writing and systematization of the 12 Angas and 12 Upangas.

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## 2. Buddhist Councils

### First Buddhist Council

- Location: Saptaparni Cave, Rajgriha (modern Rajgir, Bihar)
- Patron King: Ajatashatru (Haryanka Dynasty)
- Period: c. 483 BC (shortly after the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana)
- Presided By: Mahakashyapa
- Key Outcome: Split teachings into the Vinaya Pitaka (recited by Upali) and the Sutta Pitaka (recited by Ananda).

### Second Buddhist Council

- Location: Vaishali
- Patron King: Kalashoka (Shishunaga Dynasty)
- Period: c. 383 BC
- Presided By: Sabakami
- Key Outcome: Internal disputes led to the first major schism, dividing Buddhists into the Sthaviravadins (Theravadins) and the Mahasanghikas.

### Third Buddhist Council

- Location: Pataliputra
- Patron King: Ashoka the Great (Maurya Dynasty)
- Period: c. 250 BC
- Presided By: Moggaliputta Tissa
- Key Outcome: Codification of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, completing the Tripitaka (Three Baskets), and dispatching Buddhist missionaries worldwide.

### Fourth Buddhist Council

- Location: Kundalavana, Kashmir
- Patron King: Kanishka I (Kushan Dynasty)
- Period: c. 72–98 AD
- Presided By: Vasumitra (Co-presided by Ashvaghosa)
- Key Outcome: Buddhism formally split into two major branches: Mahayana (veneration of icons/Bodhisattvas) and Hinayana (the orthodox school).

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