<P> Since the death of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, Buddhist monastic communities have periodically convened to settle doctrinal and disciplinary disputes and to revise and correct the contents of the sutras . These gatherings, referred to by historians as' Buddhist councils', are recorded in the Buddhist sutras as having begun immediately following the death of the Buddha and have continued into the modern era . </P> <P> The number, dating, and ordering of the councils typically employed in Western academia is based primarily on Theravada historical chronicles - regional or sectarian gatherings not involving the Mahavihara Theravada lineage may be regarded as equivalent in significance by other traditions . The earliest councils - for which there is little historical evidence outside of the sutras - are regarded as canonical events by every Buddhist tradition, while some later councils have primarily been concerned only with the Theravada tradition . </P> <P> 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 king Ajatashatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Sattapanni caves Rajgriha (now Rajgir). Its objective was to preserve the Buddha's sayings (suttas) and the monastic discipline or rules (Vinaya). The Suttas were recited by Ananda, and the Vinaya was recited by Upali . According to D.N. commentary's introduction, the Abhidhamma Pitaka, or its matika, and ancient commentary was also included . Also, the Sangha made the unanimous decision to keep all the rules of the Vinaya, even the lesser and the minor rules . </P> <P> Scholars of Indian Buddhism have generally tended to dismiss this council as an actual historical event, although many evidences in tipitaka and in atthakatha appeared the tipitaka - memorizers were very serious to keep tipitaka in original form . </P>

The first buddhist council was held in the region of