The first Buddhist Council, convened shortly after the Mahaparinirvana (passing away) of the Buddha, was held in which of the following cities?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to early Buddhist history, specifically to the Councils where the teachings of the Buddha were recited and organised after his passing. The first Buddhist Council is considered especially important because it was convened soon after the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana in order to preserve his teachings accurately through collective recitation by his closest disciples.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The council in question is the first Buddhist Council.
• It was held shortly after the Buddha's passing.
• Several important Buddhist and educational centres are listed as options.
• The task is to identify the exact city where the first Council assembled.

Concept / Approach:
Standard Buddhist tradition records that the first Council was held at Rajgriha (also spelled Rajagriha or Rajgir) in the kingdom of Magadha, shortly after the Buddha's death. It was convened under the patronage of King Ajatashatru and led by Mahakasyapa, with Ananda and Upali playing key roles in reciting the Buddha's discourses and monastic rules. Nalanda became a great Buddhist university later, Gaya and Bodh Gaya are associated with the Buddha's enlightenment, not with the first Council itself.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the first Council was convened soon after the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana to compile his teachings. Step 2: Remember that King Ajatashatru of Magadha supported this council. Step 3: The location mentioned in the traditional accounts is Rajgriha (Rajagriha), the then capital of Magadha. Step 4: Bodh Gaya is the place of enlightenment, not the council site, and Nalanda rose as a university centuries later. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is Rajgriha (Rajagriha).

Verification / Alternative check:
Buddhist chronicles like the Vinaya texts and later historical summaries uniformly mention that the first Council took place in Rajgriha, in the Sattapanni cave. By contrast, Bodh Gaya is described as the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, and Nalanda is referenced as a major monastic university in the early medieval period. This consistent pattern across sources verifies Rajgriha as the correct location.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Nalanda: A renowned Buddhist monastic university that rose to prominence centuries after the Buddha, not the site of the first Council.
Gaya: A sacred region, but in Buddhist context, Bodh Gaya nearby is associated with enlightenment; it is not recorded as the location of the first Council.
Bodh Gaya: Important as the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment, yet the first Council was not held there but at Rajgriha.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different key places in the Buddha's life and early Buddhism, such as the place of enlightenment, the place of the first sermon and the council sites. Seeing familiar names like Bodh Gaya can mislead them into choosing incorrectly. A good way to avoid this is to link Rajgriha specifically with the first Council and Ajatashatru's patronage, Bodh Gaya with enlightenment and Sarnath with the first sermon.

Final Answer:
The first Buddhist Council was held at Rajgriha (Rajagriha).