The History of Buddhist Thought c11.s1.2

c11.s1.2

All the schools hold that there was a Council (sangīti, lit. “chanting or reciting together”) held at Rājagaha immediately after the death of Buddha. According to the oldest account (that of the Theravādins),¹ the elder Kassapa summoned a Council of 500 for the recital of the Dhamma and Vinaya, giving as a reason the conduct of Subhadda, a monk who had joined the Order in old age, and who, on hearing of Buddha’s death, said they were well freed from the Great Ascetic and could now do or not do what they liked. The members decided to take the Vinaya first, on the ground, says Buddhaghosa, that the Vinaya is as old as Buddha’s teaching, and while the Vinaya stands the teaching stands. Kassapa, who presided, questioned Upāli, “the first of those who know the Vinaya by heart,” about each rule, asking (1) the subject of it, (2) the occasion of its being given, (3) the person concerned, (4) the rule itself, (5) further rules resulting from it, (6) when it constitutes an offence, (7) when it does not. In the same way he questioned Ānanda about the Dhamma, beginning with the first sutta in the Dīgha Nikāya, and asking (1) where it was given, (2) about whom or to whom it was spoken. “In this way he asked the five Nikāyas, and question by question the elder Ānanda replied.”