Which ancient Buddhist council resulted in the permanent schism of the Buddhist Sangha into the Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika sects?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Second Buddhist Council, convened at Vaishali under the patronage of King Kalasoka around a century after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha, witnessed sharp disciplinary disputes regarding monastic rules, leading to the first major schism between the conservative Sthaviras and the progressive Mahasanghikas. The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha under Ajatashatru to compile the Sutta and Vinaya Pitakas. The Third Council was held at Pataliputra under Ashoka to purge heretical monks and compile the Abhidhamma Pitaka. The Fourth Council under Kanishka finalized the split between Mahayana and Hinayana traditions.