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The Second Buddhist Council was held approximately 100 years after the passing of the Buddha in the year 383 BCE. It was decided to be convened by King Kalasoka of the Shishunaga Dynasty in the city of Vaisali in India. The main purpose of this council was to address certain practices and beliefs that were beginning to deviate from the teachings of Gautama Buddha. The Second Buddhist Council took place to resolve doctrinal disputes that had arisen within the Buddhist community. The Council was aimed at clarifying and preserving the teachings of the Buddha, as well as establishing a consensus on various issues related to monastic disciplines and doctrines.
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What is the Second Buddhist Council?
The Second Buddhist Council was held about a century after the Buddha’s death to resolve disputes regarding monastic discipline. It played a key role in early Buddhist history.
Key Highlights of the Second Buddhist Council:
- Held Around: 383 BCE (100 years after the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana)
- Location: Vaishali, Bihar, India
- Purpose: To address disputes among monks regarding monastic rules (Vinaya).
- Presided By: Sabakami Thera led the council with support from other senior monks.
- Main Issue: Some monks (mainly from Vaishali) were relaxing 10 key monastic rules, including accepting money, eating after noon, and storing salt in horns.
- Decision Taken: The council condemned the relaxation of rules, reaffirming stricter adherence to the original Vinaya.
- Outcome: It led to the first major split in the Buddhist Sangha between:
- Sthavira (elders who upheld strict rules)
- Mahasanghika (majority who wanted leniency)
- Significance: Marked the beginning of sectarianism in Buddhism, setting the stage for the later formation of Mahayana and Theravada traditions.
People Involved in the Second Buddhist Council
The Second Buddhist Council was attended by nearly 700 monks from around the world, including:
- Sabakami (or Sabbakami): A senior monk and chief elder who presided over the Council. He was 120 years old at the time and upheld strict adherence to Vinaya (monastic rules).
- Yasa: A prominent monk who raised objections against certain lax practices of monks from the Vajji Sangha, such as handling money and eating after noon.
- Vajji Monks: A group of monks from the Vajji region who were accused of violating ten monastic rules. Their conduct was the main reason the Council was convened.
- Reformist Elders (Theravādins): Monks who wanted to maintain strict discipline and preserve the original teachings and monastic codes laid down by the Buddha.
- Council Attendees (700 Monks): Nearly 700 monks from different regions of India participated to review and reaffirm the Vinaya rules. This gathering ensured unity within the monastic community.
These revered monks played an important role in the discussions and deliberations that took place during the Council.
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Purpose of the Second Buddhist Council
The Second Buddhist Council was held around 100 years after the Buddha’s death to address disagreements within the Sangha. It aimed to preserve the purity of Buddha’s teachings. Here are some of the reasons why the Second Buddhist Council was conducted –
- Disputes and Resolutions: One of the main disputes that were addressed during the Second Buddhist Council was the issue of monastic discipline. Yasa believed that Vajjian monks were performing 10 acts, which were non-permissible in Buddhism and were looked down upon in the teachings of Buddha.
Yasa wanted to settle this dispute about the 10 permissible acts to be called Avinaya. Some monks had started to deviate from the established rules and regulations, leading to disagreements within the community. The Vajjain Monks became liberal in their thoughts and included –
1. Carrying salt in a horn is allowed as an extra food item.
2. It is permissible to eat after midday, which counts as an extra meal.
3. Eating while travelling from village to village is allowed and can be considered an extra meal.
4. It is allowed to gather at different residences within the same boundary to perform various observances, which can be considered different uposathas.
5. A person can vote without a proxy for a formal act, provided it is not diplomatic.
6. It is allowed to follow customary practices, as taught by the preceptor or teacher.
7. Drinking buttermilk is allowed and considered an extra food item.
8. Consumption of toddy or wine is allowed.
9. Using a rug without a border is permissible for luxury purposes.
10. Accepting silver, gold, and other valuables is allowed, which includes accepting money.
- Schisms and Sectarianism: Despite the efforts made at the Second Buddhist Council to maintain unity and harmony within the Buddhist community, the Council ultimately led to the formation of different sects and schisms. This division had a lasting impact on the development of Buddhism, as various schools of thought emerged in the centuries that followed. The council led to the division of the Sangha into two sects: the Sthavira (Elders) and the Mahasanghika (Great Assembly).
- Violation of Monastic Rules (Vinaya): A group of monks in Vaishali was accused of violating ten fundamental monastic rules, such as accepting gold, storing salt, and eating after noon.
- Preserving Buddha’s Original Teachings: Senior monks feared the misinterpretation of Dhamma and Vinaya. The council was called to reassert correct teachings.
- Initiated by King Kalashoka: The king supported the council to maintain harmony and uphold the Buddha’s legacy within his kingdom.
Outcomes of the Second Buddhist Council
Held about 100 years after Buddha’s death, the Second Buddhist Council aimed to resolve disputes within the Sangha. It led to major developments in the history of Buddhism. Here are the key outcomes of the Second Buddhist Council:
- Reaffirmation of Monastic Discipline: The council upheld the original Vinaya rules and rejected 10 controversial practices adopted by some monks in Vaishali.
- Split in the Sangha: The council indirectly led to the first major schism in Buddhism—Theravāda (Sthavira) vs. Mahāsāṅghika, due to differing views on discipline and doctrine.
- Rise of Sectarianism: This event marked the beginning of sectarian Buddhism, which later evolved into various schools with distinct beliefs and practices.
- Preservation of Teachings: The orthodox group, Sthaviras, emphasised preserving the Buddha’s original teachings without alterations or additions.
- Influence on Buddhist Councils: The decisions and disputes from this council influenced the structure and purpose of later councils, including the Third and Fourth Buddhist Councils.
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Impact of the Second Buddhist Council on Buddhist History
The Second Buddhist Council played a crucial role in shaping the future of Buddhism. Held around 100 years after Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, it not only aimed to resolve monastic disputes but also marked a turning point in Buddhist history.
Start of the Theravāda vs. Mahāsāṅghika Split
One of the most significant outcomes was the division of the Sangha into two main groups:
- Theravāda (Sthaviras): The conservative group that insisted on preserving the original Vinaya rules and teachings strictly.
- Mahāsāṅghika: The majority group that supported a more flexible approach to monastic rules.
This Theravada Mahasanghika split laid the foundation for the development of various Buddhist schools and traditions in the centuries to come.
Long-Term Effects on Doctrines and Schools
The division eventually led to the evolution of distinct philosophical views, practices, and texts. Over time:
- Theravāda Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar, focusing on the Pāli Canon.
- Mahāsāṅghika-influenced schools contributed to the rise of Mahayana Buddhism, emphasising compassion, Bodhisattva ideals, and new sutras.
Influence on Future Councils and Sects
The Impact of the Second Buddhist Council was felt in later Buddhist councils:
- It set a precedent for dealing with doctrinal disagreements.
- It showed how internal differences could lead to the birth of new schools rather than a single unified tradition.
- Later councils like the Third Buddhist Council and Fourth Buddhist Council built upon the outcomes of the second.
With its emphasis on preserving the purity of the Vinaya and upholding the authenticity of the Buddha’s teachings, the Second Buddhist Council became an important event in the chapters of the history of Buddhism, marking a turning point in the development of the religion
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FAQs
The Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali, approximately a century after the Buddha’s parinirvana. It was convened by King Kalasoka and presided over by Revata, with many prominent monks participating to address monastic disciplinary issues and resolve disputes among different Buddhist schools.
There were two widely recognised Fourth Buddhist Councils. One was held in Sri Lanka (Theravada tradition) in the 1st century BCE, focusing on writing down the Tipitaka. The other was held in Kashmir (Sarvastivada tradition) around the 1st century CE under Emperor Kanishka, compiling a commentary on the Tripitaka.
The Second Buddhist Council addressed ten points of monastic discipline considered unlawful by some monks. The council affirmed the traditional Vinaya rules and condemned the lax practices. This eventually led to the first major schism in the Sangha, splitting into the Sthaviravada and Mahasamghika schools.
For the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir (Sarvastivada tradition), Vasumitra presided as the head. For the Fourth Buddhist Council in Sri Lanka (Theravada tradition), it was held under the patronage of King Valagamba and the chief monk was Maharakkhita.
Buddhist councils were convened to resolve disputes regarding doctrine and discipline, preserve the Buddha’s teachings (Dharma), and ensure the purity of the monastic code (Vinaya). They served as crucial gatherings for reviewing and codifying the Buddhist scriptures and practices.
That’s all about the Second Buddhist Council. If you want to read more articles like this, you can get Study notes on the Modern History of India here. Also, you can visit our general knowledge page on Indian History!
