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Synopsis This book gives a comprehensive account of the history of the various Buddhist synods (councils) which were held from time to time ever since the time of Buddha through the present century, due to the changing nature of the ideological, philosophical and practical foundation of Buddhism, so well laid by Lord Buddha himself in the 6th century B.C. The phenomenal and radical changes that crept into the realm of the Buddhist creed necessitated a very critical appraisal in order to keep the pristine teachings of Lord Buddha glorious and unblemished. Thus, in order to have a closer and integrated examination of such trends and for settling the aberrations, various synods were convened by the Buddhist clergy which provided, democratically, the most cogent prescription for all the ills whatsoever. However, before delving into the history of synods, the book scans, in bold relief, the multi-dimensional and fascinating life-sketch of Siddhartha Gautama--the Buddha--in a most detailed manner. The book will be of much interest to the students, researchers and general readers of the history of Buddhism as they will find the details of the various aspects of the several Buddhist synods, held, apart from India, in Ceylon, Thailand and Burma, spanning a period of more than 2500 years in a single volume