Question

The fourth Buddhist Council was held during the reign of ________.
A. Ashoka
B. Kanishka
C. Vrihadratha
D. Harshvardhana

Answer 1

Hint: The fourth Buddhist Council was held during the reign of a Kushan Emperor. This council is the name of two separate Buddhist council meetings. These two were held in Srilanka and Kashmir.

Complete step by step answer:
Out of the two meetings of the fourth Buddhist Council, the first meeting was held in Srilanka. It was traditionally attributed to the 1st century BCE. The second meeting was held in Kashmir. It was held by the Sarvastivada School around the first century CE. During the reign of the Kushan Emperor Kanishka, the fourth Buddhist Council was held. During the second century, Kanishka was the emperor of the Kushan dynasty. He is very famous for his military, political and spiritual achievements. The Purusapura in Gandhara was the main capital of this empire and another major capital was at Kapisa. Emperor Kanishka was born in Peshawar and died in Peshawar. He followed Buddhism and his patronage, conquests played a major role in the Silk Road’s development. He also replaced Greek by Bactrian, around 127 CE, as the official language of the administration in the empire. The coins of Kanishka not only portrayed the images of Indian but also Greek, Iranian, and even Sumero – Elamite divinities. They even demonstrated religious syncretism in his beliefs. Kanishka not only believed in Buddhism but also encouraged his teachings. Hence, his reputation in Buddhist tradition was regarded with the utmost importance.

Thus, option (B) is correct.

Note: Emperor Kanishka is also known as Kanishka – the great. Some scholars earlier believed that the throne of Kushan was ascended by Kanishka in 78 CE. So, this date was used as the beginning of the Saka calendar era. This date was no longer regarded by historians. Falk estimates that Kanishka came to the throne in 127 CE.