The Buddhist Councils of the Dhamma and Vinaya: Evolution and Authority in Interpretation

Abstract

This article examines the Buddhist Councils of the Dhamma and Vinaya as a crucial process for preserving, transmitting, and managing Buddhist knowledge over more than 2,500 years. The study focuses on the historical evolution of the councils from their inception following the Buddha?s parinirvana to their development within later and contemporary contexts. Employing historical and analytical perspectives, the article highlights the councils as institutional mechanisms that contributed to maintaining doctrinal continuity and coherence within Buddhism.

Furthermore, the article analyzes the role of authority in shaping the interpretation of the Dhamma and Vinaya, particularly through the influence of ecclesiastical institutions, political power, and socio-cultural contexts. The findings reveal that the Buddhist councils were not merely acts of textual compilation or purification, but dynamic and context-dependent processes shaped by power relations and historical circumstances. These processes played a significant role in guiding both the transformation and the continuity of Buddhism across different historical periods.