This council held near Srinagar prepared an authoritative commentary ...
- He convened this fourth Buddhist council that discussed issues relating to Buddhist doctrine and theology.
- Under the presidentship of Vasumitra, the fourth Buddhist council was held at the Kundalavana monastery near Srinagar in Kashmir. About 500 monks attended the council.
- Asvagosha was a great poet, philosopher and dramatist, and was particularly close to Kanishka. He became his religious advisor in his later years and composed Buddhacharita.
- Nagarjuna from South India was also in the court of Kanishka. He also patronized the famous physician of ancient India Charaka.
This council held near Srinagar prepared an authoritative commentary ...
Council near Srinagar and its purpose
The council referred to in the question is the Fourth Buddhist Council, which was held near Srinagar in Kashmir in the 1st century CE. The council was convened by the Kushan Emperor Kanishka, who was a patron of Buddhism.
Purpose of the council
The purpose of the council was to compile an authoritative commentary on the Buddhist Tripitakas, which are the three main collections of Buddhist scriptures. The council also aimed to give the Mahayana doctrine a final shape. The Mahayana doctrine is one of the two major branches of Buddhism, the other being Theravada.
Significance of the council
The Fourth Buddhist Council was significant for several reasons:
- It helped to preserve the Buddhist scriptures by compiling an authoritative commentary on them.
- It gave the Mahayana doctrine a final shape, which helped to establish it as a distinct branch of Buddhism.
- It helped to spread Buddhism beyond India, as Kanishka was a patron of Buddhism and helped to promote it in Central Asia and China.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Fourth Buddhist Council was a significant event in the history of Buddhism, as it helped to preserve the scriptures and gave the Mahayana doctrine a final shape. Kanishka played a key role in convening the council and promoting Buddhism.