VII. The Council of the True Faith

Under Asoka’s patronage, the Sangha became wealthy, attracting heretics who corrupted the doctrine. To purify the religion, the Third Council was held at Pāṭaliputra, led by the elder Moggaliputta Tissa. One thousand Arahants expelled the false monks and compiled the Kathāvatthu to refute heretical views. This council solidified the Vibhajjavāda (Theravāda) school as the orthodox tradition and prepared the way for global Buddhist missions, specifically to Sri Lanka.