Third Buddhist Council

The 3rd Buddhist council took place in Pataliputra. 200 years after the demise of
Buddha. And was held during the reign of the King Asoka (about 250 B.C)
According to the Mahava/sa, the Main reason is purging the Sangha of heretics
and preserving the pure teachings because at that time there were many sects in the
Sangha. Some heretics who were eager to obtain many benefits entered the
community and practicing their own fate.
At that time the monk found it difficult to live with these heretics, they thought it
is useless to practice Uposatha together with these heretics. For 7 years the
Uposatha was not continued then King Asoka was very sad.
He sends a minister to asking those elder monks to hold the Uposatha, but these
monks refused the advice of the minister, then the minister beheaded several monks.
King Asoka was shocked to hear this news and in hurry come to meet
Ven.Moggaliputta Tissa and request him to go back to the city.
The king invited Ven. Moggali to preside the council. The 3rd Buddhist council has
1,000 monks participated and lasted 9 months. Ven. Moggali composed the
Kathavatthu and added to the Abhidhamm Pitaka, then completed the Tipitaka.
This Council is not only purging the heretic and purifying the origin of Buddhas
teachings. But this council also fixed the development of Pali literature.
After the council the king decided to send missionaries to 9 nearby countries to
propagate Buddhism. They are:
Missionary
Country
1.Majjhantika
Kq1m]ra & Gandhara
2. Mahadeva
Mahi2a-Mazfala
3. Rakkhita
Vanavqs]
4. Dhamma-rakkhita
Aparqnta
5. Maha-dhamma-rakkhita Maharawwha
6. Maha-rakkhita
Yona countries
7. Majjhima
Himavanta
8. Soza & Uttara
Suvazzabhumi
9. Mahinda
Tambapazzi
To conclude up, the achievement and important of 3rd Buddhist Council is:
(1) The use of a new name for Theravada
(2) The Purification of the Sasana.
(3) The Uposatha ceremony and the Pavarana were held.
(4) The rejection of non- Buddhist views.

(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)

Composed Kathavatthu (Point of controversy)

The Completed of Tipitaka.
Sent 9 missionaries were sent to 9 different countries.
A reveal in the Pali literary sources.