Jain councils

Jain councils were important meetings mentioned in Jain texts that helped change and organize the Jain Agamas, which are sacred books for Jains. The first council happened at Pataliputra, and later councils were likely held at the same time in Mathura and Vallabhi. The third big council took place at Vallabhi, led by Devarddhigani Kshamashramana, where the texts were finally written down.

Exact dates for these councils are not clearly stated in older texts. It wasn’t until the book Sandehavisausadhi by Jinaprabhamuni in 1307 CE that more specific dates were given. Later writings say the last Vallabhi council happened either 980 or 993 years after the death of the last Tirthankara, Mahavira, also known as (Nirvana)[/w/4] (After Vardhamana = AV). These councils helped keep the teachings of Mahavira alive and clear for future generations.

Councils

Pataliputra Council

The first council happened at Pataliputra, now called Patna in India, in 300 BC. A king named Chandragupta helped with this meeting. After a long time with little food, monks traveled to the coast. When food returned, they met again in Pataliputra. They collected their important teachings into eleven books but could not find one more book called the Ditthivada. A wise teacher named Bhadrabahu knew special old teachings but was far away in Nepal. Messengers asked him to come share his knowledge, but he chose not to leave his quiet place of reflection.

Mathura Council and Vallabhi Council I

Later, two more councils happened at the same time. One was in Mathura in India, led by a leader named Skandila. The other was in Vallabhi, India, led by Nagarjuna. Both councils worked to keep important teachings alive after times with little food.

Vallabhi Council II

A final big meeting took place in Vallabhi in India. Leaders there decided to write down their sacred teachings, which had always been shared by speaking. A leader named Devarddhigani Kshamashramana guided this work.

Dates of councils

There are no specific dates mentioned for the council held in Pataliputra in the text Avashyaka-churni. However, a later text called Parishishtaparvan, written around the year 1216–1229 in Vikram Samvat, says the Pataliputra council took place in 160 AD.

Some older texts mention two leaders, Skandila and Nagarjuna, who helped organize the sacred teachings. Scholars believe these leaders lived before the year 676 CE because writings from that time talk about them.

Later writers also referred to these dates and events. One important meeting happened at Vallabhi, led by a leader named Devarddhigani. Another meeting took place in Mathura, led by Skandila. During these meetings, the sacred teachings were reviewed and updated. These events are linked to the years 980 AV or 993 AV in some later writings.