The First Buddhist Council was convened three months after the Buddha's Parinibbāna (Final Passing Away). According to the Theravāda tradition, the Buddha attained Parinibbāna in 544 BCE, and the Buddhist Era (B.E.) is counted from that year. For example, the year 2006 CE corresponds to B.E. 2550, meaning that 2,550 years had passed since the Buddha's Parinibbāna.
According to the Theravāda tradition, the Buddha attained Parinibbāna on the full moon day of May, which corresponds approximately to the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. This day is now commemorated as Vesākha Day (Vesak Day).
Two months later, on the day following the full moon of July, the Saṅgha entered the annual Vassa (Rains Retreat).
During the first month of the Rains Retreat, the monks repaired their dwellings and prepared for the convening of the Council. Beginning in the second month of Vassa, the First Buddhist Council was held at Rājagaha, the capital of the Kingdom of Magadha.
The Council was presided over by the Buddha's chief disciple, Venerable Mahākassapa, and attended by 500 Arahants. Every participant had completely eradicated all defilements and had personally heard the Buddha's teachings during His lifetime. They were all endowed with the
Four Analytical Knowledges (Paṭisambhidā-ñāṇa):
- Analytical Knowledge of Meaning (Attha-paṭisambhidā)
- Analytical Knowledge of Dhamma (Dhamma-paṭisambhidā)
- Analytical Knowledge of Language (Nirutti-paṭisambhidā)
- Analytical Knowledge of Eloquence (Paṭibhāna-paṭisambhidā)
These noble disciples possessed profound wisdom and a complete understanding of the Buddha's teachings in terms of wording, expression, and meaning. Moreover, the 500 Arahants were carefully selected; participation was not open simply to anyone who had gone forth into the monastic life.
The Council began with Venerable Upāli reciting the Vinaya Piṭaka, followed by
Venerable Ānanda, who recited the Sutta Piṭaka.
Why Was the Vinaya Recited First?
When the Buddha attained Parinibbāna, Venerable Mahākassapa was not present. He was travelling to Kusinārā to pay his final respects when, on the way, he received the news that the Buddha had already passed away.
Many monks who had not yet eradicated attachment were overcome with grief. However, an elderly monk named Subhadda reacted quite differently. Upon hearing the news, he exclaimed:
"Friends, do not grieve or lament. We are now free from that Great Ascetic. He was always telling us, 'This is allowable; that is not allowable.' Now we may do as we wish and refrain from doing what we do not wish."
When Venerable Mahākassapa heard these words, he realised the urgent need to preserve the Buddha's authentic Teaching before false doctrines and lax discipline could arise. He therefore resolved to convene a council to compile and preserve both the Dhamma and the Vinaya.
At the beginning of the Council, Venerable Mahākassapa asked the assembled Arahants:
"Venerable ones, what should we recite first—the Dhamma or the Vinaya?"
The Arahants unanimously replied:
"Venerable Sir, the Vinaya is the life of the Buddha's Dispensation. Only when the Vinaya endures can the Buddha's Teaching endure."
For this reason, Venerable Upāli, foremost among the disciples in mastery of the Vinaya, was invited to recite the Vinaya Piṭaka first. Only after the Vinaya had been established did
Venerable Ānanda recite the Sutta Piṭaka.