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Under the rule of Ashoka, which Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra?

A
  

1st

B
  

2nd

C
  

3rd

D
  

4th

Correct Answer: C

3rd

  • The Third Buddhist Council took place in Pataliputra around 250 BCE, during Emperor Ashoka's reign of the Mauryan Empire.
  • Following the Kalinga War, Ashoka adopted Buddhism and began promoting it throughout the empire.
  • With the Sangha's rapid development, there came the addition of monks with varying and even opposing doctrinal perspectives.
  • This particular council's purpose was to ‘purify’ the Sangha and bring back doctrinal cohesion.
  • It was presided over by the venerated monk Moggaliputta Tissa.
  • One of the most notable results was the compilation of the Kathavatthu, which deals with the various philosophical disputes in early Buddhism.
  • Furthermore, the council endorsed systematic missionary work, thereby making Buddhism in addition to being geographically one of the most Central, Sri Lanka, and then all regions of the world an influential world religion.

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