Buddhism — Key Changes

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
First Buddhist Council	483 BCE	Convened immediately after Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, this council aimed to preserve the purity of his teachings. Ananda recited the Sutta Pitaka, and Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka, establishing the foundational canonical texts.	Established the core textual basis for all Buddhist traditions, ensuring the initial preservation of the Dhamma and Vinaya.
Second Buddhist Council	383 BCE	Held to address ten disputed points of monastic discipline, primarily concerning the laxity of the Vajjian monks. The disagreements led to the first major schism within the Sangha.	Resulted in the division of the Sangha into Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika, marking the beginning of sectarian differences in Buddhism.
Third Buddhist Council	c. 250 BCE	Patronized by Emperor Ashoka, this council aimed to purify the Sangha and compile the Abhidhamma Pitaka. It also initiated widespread missionary activities.	Consolidated the Theravada tradition, completed the Tripitaka, and significantly boosted the geographical spread of Buddhism, particularly to Sri Lanka.
Fourth Buddhist Council	1st century CE	Held under Emperor Kanishka, this council is associated with the formalization of the Mahayana school and the compilation of extensive commentaries on the Tripitaka.	Solidified the doctrinal differences between Hinayana and Mahayana, leading to the formal emergence of Mahayana Buddhism as a distinct school.