Immediate Cause
Due to monk Sughadda indicating the teachings of the Buddha no longer needed to be followed
Proposed by Ven. Mahakassapa to preserve teachings
Proceedings
Ven. Mahakassapa presided, questioned Upali and Ananda
Upali on Vinaya (rules for monks, nuns)
Ananda on Dhamma, 5 Nikayas (teachings)
Recitation of all teachings
Minor Rules
Buddha told Ananda to discard minor rules
Ananda didn't ask which ones
Council voted to keep all
Channa punishment for arrogance = brahmadanda (boycott)
Repented, attained arahantship, brahmandanda lifted
Elder Purana
Didn't accept recitation by council - preferred to remember teachings first-hand
Significance
Solidified preservation of teachings for future generations
By not discarding minor rules, all are in tact for review and study