<P> 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 day of the council . When the dawn arrived, he decided to lie down and before his head hit the pillow he became an arahant . </P> <P> 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 . </P>

Who was the president of the first buddhist council held at rajgir