Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: PM will inaugurate the first Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on April 20th and 21st.
- Conducted by: The Ministry of Culture+ International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
- Theme: “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis.”
- Aim: The summit aims to enhance cultural and diplomatic relationships with other countries and mark the significance and importance of India in Buddhism, as Buddhism was born in India.
About Four Buddhist Councils:
| Council | First Council | Second Council | Third Council | Fourth Council |
| Year | 486 BC | 386 BC | 250 BC | 72 AD |
| Location | Rajgir | Vaishali | Pataliputra | Kundalavana |
| King | Ajatasatru | Kalasoka | Ashoka | Kanishka |
| Presiding Priest | Maha Kasyapa | Sabakami | Mogaliputta Tissa | Vasumitra |
| Purpose | Preserve Buddha’s teachings and rules for disciples | Settle a dispute over Vinaya and Ten Points Rules | Reconcile different schools of Buddhism and purify the Buddhist movement | Deal with a serious conflict between Sarvasthivada teachers of Kashmir and Gandhara |
| Outcome | Collection of Pali Tipitaka | Split of the Buddhist order into Theravada and Mahasanghika | Codification of Abhidhamma Pitaka and declaration of Sthaviravada School as orthodox | Sarvasthivada doctrines organized into commentaries; the Final division of Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana |
Note: The Theravada Buddhist Council in 1871 and Theravada Buddhist Council in 1954 are known as the Fifth and Sixth Buddhist Councils respectively.
