The first Buddhist Council was held in the reign of

Q. The first Buddhist Council was held in the reign of

A. Ajatashatru
B. Ashoka
C. Kanishka
D. Bimbisara

Answer:  Ajatashatru

The first Buddhist Council was held in the reign of Ajatashatru

According to the scriptures of all Buddhist schools, the first Buddhist Council was held soon after the death of the Buddha, dated by the majority of recent scholars around 400 BCE, under the patronage of the kingAjatashatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Sattapanni caves Rajgriha (now Rajgir).

A council of 500 Arahats was held at Rajgir (Sanskrit: Rājagṛha) three months following the Buddha's death to agree on the contents of the Dhamma and Vinaya. It is said that following the Buddha's death, 499 of the Buddha's top arahats were chosen to attend the council, with one seat reserved for Ananda, then a sotapanna. As the meeting approached, Ananda trained himself until the dawn of the day of the council. When the dawn arrived, he decided to lie down and before his head hit the pillow he became an arahant.

The meeting was led by Mahakasyapa under the patronage of the king Ajatashatru. Its objective was to preserve the Buddha's sayings (suttas) and the monastic discipline or rules (Vinaya). Even though the Buddha allowed the Sangha to abolish the minor rules, the Sangha made the unanimous decision to keep all the rules of the Vinaya. Ananda recited the Suttas, such that each begins: ‘Thus have I heard’ (Pali: Evaṃ me sutaṃ). The monk Upali (Sanskrit उपालि upāli) recited the Vinaya. According to D.N. commentary's introduction, the Abhidhamma Pitaka and ancient commentary was also included.