Introduction to the Evolution of Tipitaka with reference to the Three Buddhist Councils

It is known from the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta of Dīghanikāya that the Buddha advised his Noble disciples to ascertain the Buddha’s teachings in four ways in case of the misinterpretation of the doctrine.       The statement made soon after the Great Demise of the Buddha by an immoral monk named Subhadda who joined the Order in his old age and various difficulties faced by the disciples of the Sangha led to the gathering of five hundred Arahant Therās under the leadership of Mahākassapa patronized by king Ajātasatthu. It was held for seven months.

This gathering of Mahā Therās to recite the Buddha’s doctrine in its pristine purity was known as the First Buddhist Council or Pancasatikā. A complete description of this council is found in the Pancastikakkhadaka of Cullavaggapāli. The main objective of the First Buddhist council was to organize and canonize the teachings of the Buddha paving the way for the formation of Pitakas or Baskets. Only Dhamma and Vinaya were recited. Dhamma was classified into four Nikāyas forming Sutta Pitaka. Namely;

                                                   

1. Dīghanikāya            ( long Discourses)
2. Majjhimanikāya       ( Middle length Discourses)
3. Saṃyuttanikāya       ( Kindred sayings)
4. Anguttaranikāya       ( Minor sayings)read more

 

1. Dīghanikāya which contains three divisions known as Sīlalakkhandha Vagga, Mahā vagga and Pāthika Vagga 34 Suttas.

2. Majjhimanikāya which contains three divisions known as Mūlapannāsa, Majjhimapannāsa and Uparipannāsa consists of 152 Suttas.

3. Samyuttanikāya contains five Vaggas titled Sagāthā Vagga, Nidāna Vagga, Khandha Vagga, Salāyatana Vagga and Mahā Vagga and each major Vagga is divided into 56 groups known as Samyuttas. Samyuttanikāya has 7762 Suttas.

4. Anguttaranikāya containing 9557 Suttas is divided into 11 Nipātas. Each Nipāta is divided into Vaggas too.

Vinaya was also discussed and it was classified as Ubhatovibhanga-disciplinary rules monks and nuns.

The Second Buddhist Council

The Second Buddhist Council held 100 years after the Second Buddhist Council was headed by Ven.Yasa and patronized by king Kālāsoka. It was known as Sattasatikā as seven hundred monks took part in it.

Even in the Second Buddhist Council, Four Nikāyas were discussed. Vinaya was divided into two sections-.Ubhatovibhanga and Khandakavinaya. Ubhatovibhanga deals with the Disciplinary rules related to individual and spiritual life of Monks and Nuns. Khandakavinaya deals with disciplinary rules related to the social life of Monks and Nuns. It is an expansion of Vinaya as it includes punishments, observances, rainy retreat, details of the First and the Second Councils.

The Third Buddhist Council

It was held 236 years after the Third Buddhist Council headed by Ven. Moggaliputta patronized by King Asoka. It was known as Sāhassasatikā as thousand monks participated in it. The Khuddakanikāya was added forming the Five Nikāyas. In Vinaya Pitaka, Ubhatovibhanga was divided into two sections Pārājikāpāli and Pācittiyapāli. Khandakavinaya was also divided into two major sections Cullavaggapāli, Mahāvaggapāli and in addition to them Parivārapāli was added. Abhidhamma Pitaka was formed, and at the Third Buddhist Council forming the Tipitaka. The Abhdhamma Pitaka includes seven texts.

(1) Dhammasanganī (2) Vibhanga (3) Kathāvatthu (4) Puggalapaññatti (5) Dhātukathā (6) Yamaka (7) Paṭṭhāna. Therefore, there is called Introduction to the Evolution of Tipitaka with reference to the Three Buddhist Councils.