Third Buddhist council

The Third Buddhist council was convened in about 240 BCE at Asokarama in Pataliputra, supposedly under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka. This is however disputed, as mention of the council never appears in the Edicts of Ashoka. The traditional reason for convening the Third Buddhist Council is reported to have been to rid the Sangha of corruption in the form of enemies who in the guise of supporters had infiltrated the Sangha, as well as monks who held heretical views. The council recommended the ruler Ashoka to expel sixty thousand brahmanic spies as well as reevaluate the Pāli Canon.

Third Buddhist council

The Third Buddhist council was convened in about 240 BCE at Asokarama in Pataliputra, supposedly under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka. This is however disputed, as mention of the council never appears in the Edicts of Ashoka. The traditional reason for convening the Third Buddhist Council is reported to have been to rid the Sangha of corruption in the form of enemies who in the guise of supporters had infiltrated the Sangha, as well as monks who held heretical views. The council recommended the ruler Ashoka to expel sixty thousand brahmanic spies as well as reevaluate the Pāli Canon.