Chapter 07
The First Buddhist Council.
1. The Buddha attained Parinibbana (passed away) at the age of eighty, on a Vesak full
moon Poya day.
2. Bhikkhus and followers were deep grief because the loss of the Buddha.
3. But there was a Bhikkhu Subadra who rejoiced at the death of the Buddha.
4. He said "Do not be sad brothers, cry not, for now we are free from the old Ascetic, he
constantly worried us, as saying, this is suitable and this is not, now we are free to do
whatever we like".
5. Because these unexpected words, Arahath Mahā Kassapa Thero decided to held a
Buddhist council strengthen of the Buddha Sāsana.
6. Sangāyanā is the Pāli term for council.
7. Sangayānā means that “Reading together and reciting together, delivering together and
coming agreement”.
• Place - At the entrance of the Sattapanni cave in the Rajagaha.
• Patronage - King Ajasatta
• Presidency - Arahath Maha Kassapa Thero
• Another names - Pancasatika Sangeeti
• Duration - Within 07 months
• Participation - 500 Arahanta Bhikkhus participated.
• The Buddha's Parinibbana - After three months held the council.
• Cause/object – Bhikkhu Subhadda's irreverent utterances after Buddha's
great demise. To preserve the purity of the original teachings of the Buddha.
• Results - Compilation of Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka by Ānanda and
Upāli Theros respectively.
8. Venerable Upāli Thero was chosen to rehearse the Vinaya (Discipline)
9. Venerable Ānanda Thero was chosen to rehearse the Dhamma.
10. Tae oral tradition was method adopted to spread the Dhamms. Certain Bhikkhus were
named to deliver certain sectors of the Dhamma.
11. The recital group
• Vinaya - Ven Upali thero and his generation
• Dīga Nikāya (long discourses) – Ven Ananda Thero and his generation
• Majjima Nikaya (Middle length discourses) - Ven Sariputta Thero's generation
(Sariputta Thero's students)
• Samyuktha Nikaya (Kindred sayings) – Ven Mahakassapa Thero and his
generation
• Anguttara Nikaya (accordance with number of points) – Ven Anuruddha Thero
and his generation
• Kuddhaka Nikaya (smaller discourses) – To all the Bhikkus
Questions
1. Read the statement given below and answer the following questions.
"Give not, weep not. Now we are free. There is no one to impose rules anymore."
(a) Who made the above statement?
(b) Shaken by these immoral words, who organized a Dhamma Council?
(c) When was the first Dhamma Council held?
(d) Name the King who supported this council?
(e) What is the meaning of "Evam me sutam"?
(f) Who was the leading thero?
(g) Name the two Bhikkus who explained Sutta and Vinaya at this council?
a. Sutta
b. Vinaya
2. What are the three divisions of the Pali Canon?
3. In which basket/division of the Tripitaka are the disciplinary rules for the Bhikkhus and
Bhikkunis mentioned?
4. Under which section of the Sutta Pitaka is the collection of long discourses categorized
