The First Buddhist Council (5th century BC) : Saptaparni Caves, Rajgir

The first Buddhist council was held at the Sapthaparni caves in Rajgrih, immediately after the parinirvana of Buddha. A council of 500 arhats took place during the first rainy retreat following the Buddha's parinirvana. The first council was held under the patronage of King Ajatsatru of Magadh, while monk Mahakasyapa presided over the council. The Buddha's words or suttas were recited by Ananda and the monastic rules or vinyas by the monk Upali. The assembly of arhats then recited the approved and codified texts. Thus, the Sapthaparni caves was the site of the preservation of suttas and vinyas through oral tradition. The caves are located in a line on the top of the Vaibhara grihils above the hot springs. Six caves have survived now out of the original seven. Out of these six, four caves are still in a good condition. Buddha had stayed at the Sapthaparni caves before his parinirvana.