The fourth Buddhist Council, where the division into Mahayana and Hinayana sects was formalized, was convened under the patronage of which ruler?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The fourth Buddhist council was convened in Kashmir under the patronage of the Kushan emperor Kanishka, with Vasumitra serving as its president and Asvaghosha as vice-president. Earlier councils were held under Ajatashatru, Kalasoka, and Ashoka respectively, marking distinct phases in the codification of Buddhist canons. During this assembly, commentaries on the Tripitaka were compiled on copper plates and deposited in stone stupas.