Bhikkhus

Patimokkha (paatimokkha): The basic code of monastic discipline, consisting of 227 rules for monks (bhikkhus) and 311 for nuns (bhikkhunis).

See Vinaya.

 (See also: Patimokkha , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Buddhism: History of the Buddhist schools

Three months after the passing of Gautama Buddha, The First Council was held at Rajagaha by his immediate disciples who had attained Arahantship (Enlightenment). Maha Kassapa, the most respected and elderly monk, presided at the Council. Only two sections the Dhamma and the Vinaya were recited at the First Council. All Arahants unanimously agree that no disciplinary rule laid down by the Buddha should be changed, and no new ones should be introduced. At this point, no conflict about what the Buddha taught is known to have occurred, so the teachings were divided into various parts and each was assigned to an elder and his pupils to commit to memory. These groups of people often cross-checked with each other to ensure that no omissions or additions were made.

Read more here: » Buddhism: History of the Buddhist schools

Buddhism: Origins of Buddhism

Legend has it that the Buddha to be, Siddhartha Gautama, was born around the 6th century BCE. His birthplace is said to be Lumbini in the kingdom of Magadha, in what is now Nepal. His father was a king, and Siddhartha lived in luxury, being spared all hardship.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Origins of Buddhism

The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. This makes it one of the oldest religions practiced today. Throughout this period, the religion evolved as it encountered various countries and cultures, adding to its original Indian foundation Hellenistic as well as Central Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian cultural elements. In the process, its geographical extent became considerable so as to affect at one time or another most of the Asian continent. The history of Buddhism is also characterized by the development of numerous movements and schisms, foremost among them the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions, punctuated by contrasting periods of expansion and retreat.

Read more here: » Buddhism: History of Buddhism

The first Buddhist council was held soon after the death of the Buddha under the patronage of king Ajatasatru, and presided by a monk named Mahakasyapa, at Rajagaha (today's Rajgir). Its objective was to record the Buddha's sayings (sutra) and codify monastic rules (vinaya). Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC. The second Buddhist council was convened by king Kalasoka and held at Vaisali, following conflicts between the conservative and liberal elements of Sangha. The conservative school ...

Including:

• Buddhist Councils - 1st Buddhist council 5th century BC
• Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC
• Buddhist Councils - 3rd Buddhist council c. 250 BC
• Buddhist Councils - 4th Buddhist council c. 100 AD
• Buddhist Councils - 5th Buddhist council c. 1871 A.D
• Buddhist Councils - 6th Buddhist council c. 1954 A.D

Read more here: » Buddhist Councils

The first Buddhist council was held soon after the death of the Buddha under the patronage of king Ajatasatru, and presided by a monk named Mahakasyapa, at Rajagaha (today's Rajgir). Its objective was to record the Buddha's sayings (sutra) and codify monastic rules (vinaya). Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC. The second Buddhist council was convened by king Kalasoka and held at Vaisali, following conflicts between the conservative and liberal elements of Sangha. The conservative school ...

Including:

• Buddhist Councils - 1st Buddhist council 5th century BC
• Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC
• Buddhist Councils - 3rd Buddhist council c. 250 BC
• Buddhist Councils - 4th Buddhist council c. 100 AD
• Buddhist Councils - 5th Buddhist council c. 1871 A.D
• Buddhist Councils - 6th Buddhist council c. 1954 A.D

Read more here: » Buddhist Councils: Encyclopedia - Buddhist Councils

The third Buddhist council was convened by the Mauryan king Ashoka (260–218 BC) at Pataliputra (today's Patna), and held by the monk Moggaliputta Tissa. Its objective what to reconcile the different schools of Buddhism, and to purify the Buddhist movement, particularly from opportunistic factions which had been attracted by the royal patronage. The responses to doctrinal questions and disputes formulated at the Third Council were recorded by Moggaliputta ...

See also:

Buddhist Councils, Buddhist Councils - 1st Buddhist council 5th century BC, Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC, Buddhist Councils - 3rd Buddhist council c. 250 BC, Buddhist Councils - 4th Buddhist council c. 100 AD, Buddhist Councils - 5th Buddhist council c. 1871 A.D, Buddhist Councils - 6th Buddhist council c. 1954 A.D

Read more here: » Buddhist Councils: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist Councils - 3rd Buddhist council c. 250 BC

Vinaya (vinaya): The monastic discipline, spanning six volumes in printed text, whose rules and traditions define every aspect of the bhikkhus' and bhikkhunis' way of life. The essence of the rules for monastics is contained in the Patimokkha. The conjunction of the Dhamma with the Vinaya forms the core of the Buddhist religion: "Dhamma-vinaya" - "the doctrine and discipline" - is the name the Buddha gave to the religion he founded.

 (See also: Vinaya , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

samanera (samaneri): Literally, a small samana; a novice monk (nun) who observes ten precepts and who is a candidate for admission to the order of bhikkhus (bhikkhunis).

See pabbajja.

 (See also: Samanera , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

The fourth Buddhist council was convened by the Kushan emperor Kanishka, around 100 AD at Jalandhar or in Kashmir, and is usually associated with the formal rise of Mahayana Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism does not recognize the authenticity of this council, and it is sometimes called the "council of heretical monks". It is said that Kanishka gathered 500 Bhikkhus in Kashmir, headed by Vasumitra, to edit the Tripitaka and make references and remarks. It is said that during the council, there were all together three hundred thousand verses and over nine mil ...

See also:

Buddhist Councils, Buddhist Councils - 1st Buddhist council 5th century BC, Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC, Buddhist Councils - 3rd Buddhist council c. 250 BC, Buddhist Councils - 4th Buddhist council c. 100 AD, Buddhist Councils - 5th Buddhist council c. 1871 A.D, Buddhist Councils - 6th Buddhist council c. 1954 A.D

Read more here: » Buddhist Councils: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist Councils - 4th Buddhist council c. 100 AD

The second Buddhist council was convened by king Kalasoka and held at Vaisali, following conflicts between the conservative and liberal elements of Sangha. The conservative schools insisted on strict adherence to monastic rules (vinaya). The secessionist Mahasangikas argued for more relaxed monastic rules, which could appeal to a large majority of monastic and lay people (hence their name "majority" assembly). The council ended with the rejection of the Mahasanghikas. They left the council and maintained themselves for several centuries in northwestern India and Central Asia according to Kharos ...

See also:

Buddhist Councils, Buddhist Councils - 1st Buddhist council 5th century BC, Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC, Buddhist Councils - 3rd Buddhist council c. 250 BC, Buddhist Councils - 4th Buddhist council c. 100 AD, Buddhist Councils - 5th Buddhist council c. 1871 A.D, Buddhist Councils - 6th Buddhist council c. 1954 A.D

Read more here: » Buddhist Councils: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist Councils - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BC