Difference between revisions of "The First Buddhist council"
(Created page with "thumb|250px| <poem> Written by Thư Viện Quang Minh The First Buddhist council was convened in the year following the Buddha's Parinibbana, which would be ...") |
|||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Written by Thư Viện Quang Minh | Written by Thư Viện Quang Minh | ||
| − | The First Buddhist council was convened in the year following the Buddha's Parinibbana, which would be 543/2 BCE according to Theravada | + | The [[First Buddhist council]] was convened in the year following the [[Buddha's]] [[Parinibbana]], which would be 543/2 BCE according to [[Theravada tradition]], at various earlier dates according to various [[Mahayana]] [[traditions]], and various later dates according to various {{Wiki|Western}} estimates.[1] According to late {{Wiki|commentarial}} accounts, [[King]] [[Ajatashatru]] ([[Sanskrit]] [[अजातशत्रु]]) sponsored the council. [[Tradition]] holds that the Council was held in a hall erected by [[Ajatasattu]] outside the Sattaparnaguha {{Wiki|Cave}} ([[Pali]]: [[Sattapanniguha]]) in [[Rajgir]], three months after the [[Buddha]] had [[died]]. Detailed accounts of the council can be found in the [[Khandhaka]] [[sections]] of the [[Wikipedia:canonical|canonical]] [[Vinayas]]. |
| − | According to this record the incident which prompted the Elder Mahakassapa to call this meeting was his hearing a disparaging remark about the strict rule of life for monks. This is what allegedly happened. The monk Subhadda, who had ordained late in life, upon hearing that the Buddha had expired, voiced his resentment at having to abide by all the rules for monks laid down by the Buddha. Many monks lamented the passing of the Buddha and were deeply grieved. However, the Elder Mahakassapa heard Subhadda say: "Enough your Reverences, do not grieve, do not lament. We are well rid of this great recluse (the Buddha). We were tormented when he said, 'this is allowable to you, this is not allowable to you' but now we will be able to do as we like and we will not have to do what we do not like." | + | According to this record the incident which prompted the Elder [[Mahakassapa]] to call this meeting was his hearing a disparaging remark about the strict rule of [[life]] for [[monks]]. This is what allegedly happened. The [[monk]] [[Subhadda]], who had [[ordained]] late in [[life]], upon hearing that the [[Buddha]] had expired, voiced his [[resentment]] at having to abide by all the rules for [[monks]] laid down by the [[Buddha]]. Many [[monks]] lamented the passing of the [[Buddha]] and were deeply grieved. However, the Elder [[Mahakassapa]] heard [[Subhadda]] say: "Enough your Reverences, do not grieve, do not [[lament]]. We are well rid of this great [[recluse]] (the [[Buddha]]). We were tormented when he said, 'this is allowable to you, this is not allowable to you' but now we will be able to do as we like and we will not have to do what we do not like." |
| − | Mahakassapa was alarmed by his remark and feared that the Dhamma and the Vinaya might be corrupted and not survive intact if other monks were to behave like Subhadda and interpret the Dhamma and the Vinaya rules as they pleased. To avoid this he decided that the Dhamma must be preserved and protected. To this end after gaining the Sangha's approval he called to council five hundred Arahants. Ananda was to be included in this provided he attained Arahanthood by the time the council convened. | + | [[Mahakassapa]] was alarmed by his remark and feared that the [[Dhamma]] and the [[Vinaya]] might be corrupted and not survive intact if other [[monks]] were to behave like [[Subhadda]] and interpret the [[Dhamma]] and the [[Vinaya]] rules as they [[pleased]]. To avoid this he decided that the [[Dhamma]] must be preserved and protected. To this end after gaining the Sangha's approval he called to council five hundred [[Arahants]]. [[Ananda]] was to be included in this provided he [[attained]] [[Arahanthood]] by the [[time]] the council convened. |
| − | With the Elder Mahakassapa presiding, the five-hundred Arahant monks met in council during the rainy season. The first thing Mahakassapa did was to question the foremost expert on the Vinaya of the day, Venerable Upali on particulars of the monastic rule. This monk was well qualified for the task as the Buddha had taught him the whole of the Vinaya himself. The Elder Mahakassapa asked him specifically about the ruling on the first offense parajika, with regard to the subject, the occasion, the individual introduced, the proclamation, the repetition of the proclamation, the offense and the case of non-offense. Upali gave knowledgeable and adequate answers and his remarks met with the unanimous approval of the presiding Sangha. Thus, the Vinaya was formally approved. | + | With the Elder [[Mahakassapa]] presiding, the five-hundred [[Arahant]] [[monks]] met in council during the [[rainy season]]. The first thing [[Mahakassapa]] did was to question the foremost expert on the [[Vinaya]] of the day, [[Venerable]] [[Upali]] on particulars of the [[monastic]] rule. This [[monk]] was well qualified for the task as the [[Buddha]] had taught him the whole of the [[Vinaya]] himself. The Elder [[Mahakassapa]] asked him specifically about the ruling on the first offense [[parajika]], with regard to the [[subject]], the occasion, the {{Wiki|individual}} introduced, the proclamation, the repetition of the proclamation, the offense and the case of non-offense. [[Upali]] gave [[knowledgeable]] and adequate answers and his remarks met with the unanimous approval of the presiding [[Sangha]]. Thus, the [[Vinaya]] was formally approved. |
| − | The Elder Mahakassapa then turned his attention to Ananda in virtue of his reputable expertise in all matters connected with the Dhamma. Happily, the night before the Council was to meet, Ananda had attained Arahantship and joined the Council. The Elder Mahakassapa, therefore, was able to question him at length with complete confidence about the Dhamma with specific reference to the Buddha's sermons. This interrogation on the Dhamma sought to verify the place where all the discourses were first preached and the person to whom they had been addressed. | + | The Elder [[Mahakassapa]] then turned his [[attention]] to [[Ananda]] in [[virtue]] of his reputable expertise in all matters connected with the [[Dhamma]]. Happily, the night before the Council was to meet, [[Ananda]] had [[attained]] [[Arahantship]] and joined the Council. The Elder [[Mahakassapa]], therefore, was able to question him at length with complete [[confidence]] about the [[Dhamma]] with specific reference to the [[Buddha's]] sermons. This interrogation on the [[Dhamma]] sought to verify the place where all the [[discourses]] were first [[preached]] and the [[person]] to whom they had been addressed. |
| − | Ananda aided by his word-perfect memory was able to answer accurately and so the Discourses met with the unanimous approval of the Sangha. The First Council also gave its official seal of approval for the closure of the chapter on the minor and lesser rules, and approval for their observance. It took the monks seven months to recite the whole of the Vinaya and the Dhamma and those monks sufficiently endowed with good memories retained all that had been recited. This historic first council came to be known as the Pancasatika because five-hundred fully enlightened Arahants had taken part in it. | + | [[Ananda]] aided by his word-perfect [[memory]] was able to answer accurately and so the [[Discourses]] met with the unanimous approval of the [[Sangha]]. The [[First Council]] also gave its official seal of approval for the closure of the chapter on the minor and lesser rules, and approval for their [[observance]]. It took the [[monks]] seven months to recite the whole of the [[Vinaya]] and the [[Dhamma]] and those [[monks]] sufficiently endowed with good [[memories]] retained all that had been recited. This historic [[first council]] came to be known as the [[Pancasatika]] because five-hundred fully [[enlightened]] [[Arahants]] had taken part in it. |
| − | The Sattapanni Cave in Rajgir, where the First Buddhist Council may have been held. | + | The [[Sattapanni]] {{Wiki|Cave}} in [[Rajgir]], where the [[First Buddhist Council]] may have been held. |
| − | Ananda reciting the Sutta Pitaka | + | [[Ananda]] reciting the [[Sutta Pitaka]] |
References: | References: | ||
| − | Gombrich, Richard (1988/2002). Theravada Buddhism. London: Routledge. Gombrich, p. 32, writes: "The Buddhist era begins at the Buddha's Enlightenment. Modern Theravadins date this in 544/3 BCE, but this tradition is of uncertain antiquity.... [T]he best we can say is that he was probably Enlightened between 550 and 450 [BCE], more likely later rather than earlier." | + | Gombrich, Richard (1988/2002). [[Theravada Buddhism]]. {{Wiki|London}}: Routledge. Gombrich, p. 32, writes: "The [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|era}} begins at the [[Buddha's]] [[Enlightenment]]. {{Wiki|Modern}} [[Theravadins]] date this in 544/3 BCE, but this [[tradition]] is of uncertain antiquity.... [T]he best we can say is that he was probably [[Enlightened]] between 550 and 450 [BCE], more likely later rather than earlier." |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.quangminh.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=854:the-first-buddhist-council&catid=195:buddhist-history&Itemid=36 www.quangminh.org.au] | [http://www.quangminh.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=854:the-first-buddhist-council&catid=195:buddhist-history&Itemid=36 www.quangminh.org.au] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Buddhist | + | [[Category:First Buddhist council]] |
Latest revision as of 23:48, 22 April 2014
Written by Thư Viện Quang Minh
The First Buddhist council was convened in the year following the Buddha's Parinibbana, which would be 543/2 BCE according to Theravada tradition, at various earlier dates according to various Mahayana traditions, and various later dates according to various Western estimates.[1] According to late commentarial accounts, King Ajatashatru (Sanskrit अजातशत्रु) sponsored the council. Tradition holds that the Council was held in a hall erected by Ajatasattu outside the Sattaparnaguha Cave (Pali: Sattapanniguha) in Rajgir, three months after the Buddha had died. Detailed accounts of the council can be found in the Khandhaka sections of the canonical Vinayas.
According to this record the incident which prompted the Elder Mahakassapa to call this meeting was his hearing a disparaging remark about the strict rule of life for monks. This is what allegedly happened. The monk Subhadda, who had ordained late in life, upon hearing that the Buddha had expired, voiced his resentment at having to abide by all the rules for monks laid down by the Buddha. Many monks lamented the passing of the Buddha and were deeply grieved. However, the Elder Mahakassapa heard Subhadda say: "Enough your Reverences, do not grieve, do not lament. We are well rid of this great recluse (the Buddha). We were tormented when he said, 'this is allowable to you, this is not allowable to you' but now we will be able to do as we like and we will not have to do what we do not like."
Mahakassapa was alarmed by his remark and feared that the Dhamma and the Vinaya might be corrupted and not survive intact if other monks were to behave like Subhadda and interpret the Dhamma and the Vinaya rules as they pleased. To avoid this he decided that the Dhamma must be preserved and protected. To this end after gaining the Sangha's approval he called to council five hundred Arahants. Ananda was to be included in this provided he attained Arahanthood by the time the council convened.
With the Elder Mahakassapa presiding, the five-hundred Arahant monks met in council during the rainy season. The first thing Mahakassapa did was to question the foremost expert on the Vinaya of the day, Venerable Upali on particulars of the monastic rule. This monk was well qualified for the task as the Buddha had taught him the whole of the Vinaya himself. The Elder Mahakassapa asked him specifically about the ruling on the first offense parajika, with regard to the subject, the occasion, the individual introduced, the proclamation, the repetition of the proclamation, the offense and the case of non-offense. Upali gave knowledgeable and adequate answers and his remarks met with the unanimous approval of the presiding Sangha. Thus, the Vinaya was formally approved.
The Elder Mahakassapa then turned his attention to Ananda in virtue of his reputable expertise in all matters connected with the Dhamma. Happily, the night before the Council was to meet, Ananda had attained Arahantship and joined the Council. The Elder Mahakassapa, therefore, was able to question him at length with complete confidence about the Dhamma with specific reference to the Buddha's sermons. This interrogation on the Dhamma sought to verify the place where all the discourses were first preached and the person to whom they had been addressed.
Ananda aided by his word-perfect memory was able to answer accurately and so the Discourses met with the unanimous approval of the Sangha. The First Council also gave its official seal of approval for the closure of the chapter on the minor and lesser rules, and approval for their observance. It took the monks seven months to recite the whole of the Vinaya and the Dhamma and those monks sufficiently endowed with good memories retained all that had been recited. This historic first council came to be known as the Pancasatika because five-hundred fully enlightened Arahants had taken part in it.
The Sattapanni Cave in Rajgir, where the First Buddhist Council may have been held.
Ananda reciting the Sutta Pitaka
References:
Gombrich, Richard (1988/2002). Theravada Buddhism. London: Routledge. Gombrich, p. 32, writes: "The Buddhist era begins at the Buddha's Enlightenment. Modern Theravadins date this in 544/3 BCE, but this tradition is of uncertain antiquity.... [T]he best we can say is that he was probably Enlightened between 550 and 450 [BCE], more likely later rather than earlier."
