At the outset, it should be stated that Buddhism is not a religion as defined by Western writers. Many professors of religion say that Buddhism may be considered to be “a philosophy” or a “way of life”. However, there are other professors who state that Buddhism do have some characteristics of an organized religion.

It is true that although Gautama Buddha’s teachings were never put down in writing while he was still alive, the main body of his disciples, all males, established themselves into an organized body more in the form of a brotherhood. They were called the Sangha or “sons of the Buddha”.

Only main events and important concepts  in the long history of Buddhism will be presented. To access more deeply about Vipassana or Insight Meditation and Buddhism there are many useful website links which are provided here.

First Buddhist Council (5th century BCE)

After Gautama Buddha attained parinivarna, five hundred arahats convened at Rajagrha (India) to review the teachings of their master. This assembly was headed by the venerable Arahat Kashyapha. The venerable Upali recited the vinaya code (code of conduct for monks) and the venerable Shin Ananda recited the suttas (discourses).

Second Buddhist Council (4th century BCE)

100 years after the first council, the Second Buddhist Council was held at Viashali, India. After this council, there was a split in the sangha and one group left the main movement calling themselves the “Mahasangha”. They later evolved to become the Mahayana or the “greater vehicle”. The traditionalists came to be known as “the way of the elders” or the “Theravada”.

Third Buddhist Council (250 BCE)

The Third Buddhist Council was convened in India around 250 BCE under the patronage of Emperor Asoka. The Council was presided over by the Elder Moggaliputta Tissa and one thousand monks participated. The objective of this council was to purify the sangha of bogus monks and those who held heretical views. (It may be noted that the importance of this Third Council is not recognized by the Mahayana school).

Emperor Asoka sent Dhamma missions to many countries and the mission that came to Myanmar (which was during those times called Suvannabhumi) was headed by Sona Thera and Uttara Thera.


Fourth Buddhist Council

This council was held in Sri Lanka under the patronage of King Vattagamani.

During a certain year the harvests in Sri Lanka were particularly poor and many monks subsequently died of starvation. As a result of this, some wise monks realized that the teachings could be lost forever if they were not put down in writing.

This Fourth Buddhist Council took three years.

Palm leaf books appeared after this Council and the teachings were taken to other countries such as Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Fifth Buddhist Council  ( 1871 A.D.)

The council was held in Burma (Myanmar) during the reign of King Mindon in 1871 A.D. Presided over by three Elders, namely the venerable Mahathera Jagarabhivansa, the venerable Narindabhidhaja, and the venerable Mahathera Sumangalasami, the purpose was to examine the entire Theravada Pali Canon in minute detail. 2,400 monks participated in this council and it lasted for five months.

It was also under the royal patronage of King Mindon that the entire Tripitaka was inscribed on 729 marble slabs. Each marble slab is 5 ½ feet, 3 ½ feet wide and about 5 inches thick. These marble slabs can be seen at the foot of Mandalay hill. Thus King Mindon’s Kuthodaw is now known as the World’s largest book.

Sixth Buddhist Council (1954 to 1956)

The Sixth Buddhist Council was held in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar) under the patronage of Prime Minister U Nu. This council was attended by 2500 monks from eight Theravada countries.


Further reading:

1.    The Buddhist Councils: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_councils
2.    The Life of Gautama Buddha: http://www.nibbana.com )
3.    The Abhidhamma (Profound teachings on how the mind works) : http://www.abhidhamma.org/


To remember the main points of Buddhism

This is based on saying the numbers from one to ten :

1.    Buddha
2.    Nama and Rupa (Mind and Matter)
3.    Three characteristics of Mind and Matter – Anicca, Dhukha and Anatta
       (Impermanence, Unfulfilling nature, Egolessness)
4.    The Four Noble Truths
5.    The Five Aggregates (Pyinset Khandha)
6.    The Six Sense Doors
7.    The Seven Factors of Enlightenment
8.    The Noble Eightfold Path
9.    The Nine Virtues of the Buddha (Gonedaw Koe Bar)
10.    The Ten Perfections (The Ten Parmittas, or “Parami seibar” in Burmese)

Virtues of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha

In Buddhism, the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha are called the Triple Gems.

Nine virtues of the Buddha:
1.    Araham
2.    Samma Sambudho
3.    Vijja-carana-sampano
4.    Sugato
5.    Lokavidu
6.    Anuttaro Purisa-damma-sarathi
7.    Sattha-Deva-Manussanam
8.    Buddho
9.    Bhagavathi

The easy way to remember the “Nine virtues of the Buddha”. The following is a translation made  for the benefit of the future generations of Buddhists living inside and outside the country.

1.    Araham – Budhha who is worthy of veneration by men, devas and brahmas; Buddha who does not do any evil; Buddha who knows all that is to be known.
2.    Samma Sambudho – omniscient (knows everything that is to be known)
3.    Vijja-carana-sampano – Buddha who has clear vision and exemplary conduct.
4.    Sugato – Buddha whose words are sublime and infallible; Buddha whose path is good and the destination is excellent.
5.    Lovkavidu – Buddha who has knowledge of the world; Buddha who has full knowledge of all aspects of worldly like, physical as well as spiritual.
6.    Anuttaro Purisa-damma-sarathi – Buddha who is capable of bringing wayward men to the path of righteousness
7.    Sattha-Deva-Maussanam – Buddha who is the teacher of devas and man.
8.    Buddho – Buddha who is the fully awakened master.
9.    Bhagavathi – Buddha the Blessed One.
For a very good article on the Nine Virtues of the Buddha by the Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda see this link:
http://what-buddha-taught.net/Books6/Dhammananda_Great_Virtues_of_the_Buddha.pdf

Virtues of the Dhamma
1.    Swakkhato Bhagavata Dhammo
2.    Sanditthiko
3.    Akaliko
4.    Ehipassiko
5.    Opanayiko
6.    Paccattam Veditabbo Vinuhi Ti

For a very good article on the Six Virtues of the Dhamma by Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda see this link:
http://what-buddha-taught.net/Books6/Dhammananda_Great_Virtues_of_the_Buddha.pdf

Some useful links
Vipassana meditation and  Theravada Buddhism :

U Ba Khin :  Vipassana meditation in the tradition of U Ba Khin
Link: http://www.internationalmeditationcentre.org/

Mr. S.N. Goeknka : Vipassa meditation in the tradition of Mr. Goenka
Link:   http://www.vri.dhamma.org/general/goenka.html

Buddhanet : A very good website for resources about Buddhism
Link:   http://www.buddhanet.net/

Access to Insight: An excellent and long established website for those who wish to read deeper about Meditation and Buddhism
Link :       http://www.accesstoinsight.org/

Mogok Insight Meditation Center:  A good resource for dhamma lectures given by Mogok meditation teachers
Link:  http://www.mogokinsightny.org/
 
Dhammaransi: Official website of a Youth Prayer Group in Brisbane, Australia
Link:  http://www.dhammaransi.net/index.html

ABBA – American Burma Buddhist Association : Official website of the ABBA.
A place to get connected to the Myanmar Buddhist community in New York city and New Jersey
Link:  http://www.mahasiusa.org/nytemple.htm