Monday 22 July 2013 - Asalha Puja / Dharma Day - anniversary of the first sermon by Gautama Buddha in the Deer Park at Sarnath. In the Buddha’s first sermon, he set out to his five former associates the doctrine that had come to him following his enlightenment. This first pivotal sermon, often referred to as “setting into motion the wheel of dhamma,” is the teaching which is encapsulated for Buddhists in the four noble truths: there is suffering (dukka); suffering is caused by craving (tanha); there is a state (nibbana) beyond suffering and craving; and finally, the way to nibbana is via the eightfold path. Whatever differences there may be between various schools and traditions of Buddhism, they all revolve around the central doctrine of the four noble truths. This first sermon is not only the first structured discourse given by the Buddha after his enlightenment, it also contains the essence of all his subsequent teaching. At the end of the talk, one of the five participants recounted his understanding of what had been said and asked to be received as a disciple, a request the Buddha granted, thus establishing the first order of monks. Asalha Puja typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. Primarily observed in Theravada Buddhism.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:04:19 +0000
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