Buddhist Councils

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

According to the Theravada Buddhist tradition, there are six Buddhist Councils. The last two were held in Burma.

Mandalay

Ripley’s “Believe it or not” named U Khanti Kyauksar (inscriptions) of the Fifth Buddhist Council (Synod) held in Mandalay as the “Largest Book” in the world.

The Council was held to celebrate the 2400th Year in Sasana Era.

King Mindon was the Sponsor.

Kaba Aye

U Nu & Sir U Thwin were prime movers for the Sixth Buddhist Council, which was held to celebrate the 2500th Year in Sasana Era.

Mahasi Sayadaw မဟာစည်ဆရာတော် acted as the Questioner.

Mingun Sayadaw မင်းကွန်းတရာတော် acted as the Reciter & Responder.

The Guinness Book of World Records listed Tipialkadara Sayadaw Ashin Vicittathara as having an outstanding memory — the best at that time [in 1954]. Sayadaw served as the Chief Reciter (a la Ashin Upali and Ashin Ananda at the First Buddhist Council) at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at KabaAye (World Peace) Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma from 1954 – 1956.

Sayadaw could memorize, recall, and give exposition on 8027 pages of the Buddhist Scriptures known as Tipitaka [“Three Baskets”] :

• Vinaya – Rules of monastic conduct
• Sutta – Buddha’s discourses
• Abhidhamma – Ultimate reality)

He took the 2nd – 5th Tipitakadara examinations and passed with distinction in both oral and written parts. Sayadaw served as an examiner for the first Tipikadara examination. Sir U Thwin requested him to take the examination. The rest is history.