First Buddhist Council: 400 BC

- Held soon after the mahaparinirvana of the Buddha

- patronage of king Ajatshatru 

- Presided by - monk Mahakasyapa , 

- at Rajgriha, in the Sattapani Cave.

- The idea was to preserve Buddha’s teachings (Sutta Pitaka) and rules for disciples (Vinaya Pitaka). 

Second Buddhist Council : 383 BC

- Held  to settle a dispute on Vinaya Pitaka(Rules of discipline)

- Held at Vaishali 

- patronage of King Kalasoka

- presided by Sabakami. 

- The dispute was on 10 Points such as storing salt in horn, eating after midday, eating once etc 

- Disputes were not settled and paved the way for emergence of Buddhist sects -  Sthaviravada, Mahasanghika and Sarvastivada.