Buddhist councils

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/buddhist-councils

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the etymological root?Pāli and Sanskrit 'sangīti', signifying 'reciting together' or 'joint rehearsal'
2. What is the primary function?Preservation, verification, and codification of Buddhist scriptures (sutras) and monastic discipline (Vinaya)
3. What is a Buddhist council?A Buddhist council is a big meeting where wise monks and nuns come together to remember, share, and keep the Buddha’s teachings and rules safe.
4. Why were Buddhist councils held after the Buddha died?They were held to protect the Buddha’s teachings because before books, people remembered them by speaking, and the councils made sure the words stayed correct.

Mahaparinirvana: The final passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, marking the end of his earthly existence.
Sangha: The monastic community of ordained monks and nuns, considered a vital component of the Buddhist tradition.
Tripitaka: The 'Three Baskets' of Buddhist scriptures: Vinaya (discipline), Sutra (discourses), and Abhidharma (philosophy).