[Solved] Sources of the Third Buddhist Council under Ashoka

Which of the following sources mention the occurrence of the third Buddhist Council during the reign of Ashoka:
1. Inscriptions of Ashoka
2. Dipavamsa
3. Mahavamsa
4. Divyavadana
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The Buddhist Councils were major milestones in defining Buddhist doctrine, with the third council marking the global missionary phase of the faith.

Authentic Source Evidence

The Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa (the Sri Lankan Pali chronicles) are the primary sources that provide a detailed account of the third council held at Pataliputra.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Interestingly, Ashoka's own inscriptions (Option 1) do not explicitly mention the council, though they discuss Dharma and missionary work.

Logic 2: Both Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa record that the council was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa around 250 BCE.

Logic 3: The Divyavadana focuses on legends of Ashoka but is not the primary record for the council details.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was the main purpose of the Third Buddhist Council?"

To purify the Sangha from heretical sects and to compile the definitive version of the Buddhist canon (Abhidhamma Pitaka).

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The Third Council transformed Buddhism from a regional Indian sect into a state-sponsored international mission."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Pataliputra 7 Moggaliputta Tissa 2

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Which of the following sources mention the occurrence of the third Buddhist Council during the reign of Ashoka:1. Inscriptions of Ashoka2. Dipavamsa3. Mahavamsa4. DivyavadanaSelect the correct answer using the codes given below: