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The First Buddhist Council, held at Rajagriha soon after the Buddha's death, was presided over by:
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Answer: Option D — Mahakassapa
Detailed Solution
The First Buddhist Council was held at the Saptaparni cave near Rajagriha (Rajgir) in about 483 BCE, soon after the Buddha's death, and was presided over by Mahakassapa (Mahakashyapa).
About the First Council:
- It was held under the patronage of King Ajatashatru of Magadha.
- About 500 senior monks (arhats) attended it.
- Its purpose was to collect and preserve the teachings of the Buddha, so that they would not be lost or changed.
Two of the Buddha's close disciples recited the teachings from memory:
- Ananda, the Buddha's attendant, recited the "Sutta" (discourses).
- Upali recited the "Vinaya" (rules of discipline).
- These recitations formed the basis of the Pali canon.
About Mahakassapa:
- He was one of the senior disciples of the Buddha, known for his strict discipline and ascetic practices.
- He was born a Brahmana in Magadha.
- He became the leader of the Sangha after the Buddha's death, according to tradition.
- In the Zen tradition, he is regarded as the first patriarch, who received the Buddha's teaching directly ("the flower sermon").
About the Saptaparni cave:
- It is located on the Vaibhara hill at Rajgir, in the Nalanda district of Bihar.
- "Saptaparni" means "seven leaves", after a tree.
About Rajagriha (Rajgir):
- It is surrounded by five hills, and is known for its hot springs and a cyclopean wall (an ancient stone wall).
- Today, Rajgir has a "Vishwa Shanti Stupa" (Peace Pagoda), built by a Japanese Buddhist group in 1969, reached by a ropeway.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Sabakami presided over the Second Council.
- ✗Moggaliputta Tissa is associated with a later council.
- ✗Vasumitra presided over the Fourth Council.
Quick tip
Remember: First Buddhist Council = Saptaparni cave, Rajagriha (about 483 BCE); patron Ajatashatru; presided by Mahakassapa; Ananda recited the Sutta, Upali the Vinaya.
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Buddhism & Jainism — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Buddhism & Jainism, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
Buddhism and Jainism arose in the 6th century BCE as reform movements. This topic covers the lives and teachings of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira, the Jain tirthankaras, the Buddhist councils, the sects of both religions, their sacred texts and the places linked to them. Common questions cover the four great events of the Buddha's life and their places (birth at Lumbini, enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, first sermon at Sarnath, death at Kushinagar), the four Buddhist councils with their kings and venues, and the Jain sects Digambara and Shvetambara. Learning the councils as a table of place, king and president is the fastest way to revise. Practise the Buddhism and Jainism questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.