Under whose presidentship did King Kanishka hold a great Buddhist Council?

Answer & Explanation

Answer: [D]

King Kanishka held a great Buddhist Council under the presidentship of Vasu Mitra. King Kanishka, a prominent ruler of the Kushan Empire in the 2nd century CE, was a patron of Buddhism and played a significant role in its promotion and development in the region. The great Buddhist Council convened during his reign aimed to preserve and clarify Buddhist teachings, as well as to promote unity among Buddhist sects.

Vasu Mitra, also known as Vasumitra, was chosen as the president of this council. He was a prominent Buddhist scholar and a disciple of the renowned Buddhist philosopher Ashvaghosha (option A). The council's discussions and deliberations resulted in the compilation and codification of various Buddhist texts and doctrines. This council, known as the Fourth Buddhist Council, was an important event in the history of Buddhism and contributed to the spread and preservation of Buddhist teachings during that period.