Question

Choose the INCORRECT statement with respect to the Kushan ruler Kanishka:

1. Third Buddhist council was held during his reign.
2. The main capital of his empire was located at Purwapura in Gandhara.
3. Charak was contemporary to Kanishka.
4. Huvishka was the successor of Kanishka.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Third Buddhist council was held during his reign.

The third Buddhist council was held during his reign is NOT correct.

• ​The third Buddhist Council was held in 250 BC in Patliputra under the patronage of Ashoka and was presided by Moggaliputta Tissa.
  • The council recommended the ruler Ashoka to expel sixty thousand Brahmanic spies as well as to reevaluate the Pāli Canon.
  • It was presided over by the elder monk Moggaliputta-Tissa and one thousand monks participated in the Council.
  • The council is recognized and known to both the Theravada and Mahayana schools, though its importance is central only to the Theravada.
  • The Third Buddhist Council is reported to have been to rid the Sangha of corruption in the form of enemies who in the guise of supporters had infiltrated the Sangha, as well as monks who held heretical views.

• Buddhist Councils:
  • Buddhist Councils marked important turning points in early Buddhism.
  • These councils resulted in sectarian clashes and the eventual Great Schism that resulted in the two major schools, Theravada and Mahayana.
• First Buddhist Council:
  • It was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha, around 483 BC under the patronage of King Ajatshatru, and was presided by Mahakasyapa, a monk.
  • The council was held in the Sattapani cave at Rajgriha.
  • The council was held with the purpose of preserving Buddha’s teachings (Sutta) and rules for disciples.
  • During this council, the teachings of Buddha were divided into three Pitakas.
• Second Buddhist Council:
  • It was held in Vaishali, a village in Bihar under the patronage of king Kalasoka in 383 BC.
  • It was presided by Sabakami.
• Fourth Buddhist Council:
  • It was held in 72 AD at Kundalvana, Kashmir.
  • It was presided by Vasumitra, while Asvaghosa was his deputy under the patronage of King Kanishka of the Kushan Empire.
  • Buddhism was divided into two sects namely Mahayana and Hinayana.