Guru Purnima

The Legacy:

On this day, 1st Purnima of the Month of Ashada (also known as Dhamma Day) is when Lord Buddha after his enlightenment rotated the "Wheel of Dhamma" or set the motion of spreading Dhamma or started the teachings of Dhamma.

This very first sermon is also called as "Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta". The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, also known as the "Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma," is one of the most important and revered teachings by the Lord. This sutta marks the Buddha's first sermon, delivered at the Deer Park in Sarnath (near Varanasi, India) to his five former companions, the Pancavaggiya monks, shortly after his enlightenment.

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta serves as a cornerstone of Lord Buddha's teachings, emphasising the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path as essential elements for achieving liberation from suffering and attaining enlightenment.

Key Elements of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

1. Context and Background

First Sermon: This sutta represents the Buddha's first discourse after attaining enlightenment. It is a pivotal moment as it sets forth the fundamental principles of Lord Buddha's teachings.

Audience: The audience for this sermon consisted of the five ascetics (Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama, and Assaji) who had previously practiced severe austerities with the Buddha before he chose the Middle Path.

2. Core Teachings

Middle Way (Majjhima Patipada): The Buddha taught the Middle Way, a path of moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. This balanced approach is essential for the purification of mind.

Four Noble Truths (Cattari Ariyasaccani):

Dukkha: The truth of suffering – Life is inherently unsatisfactory and involves suffering.

Samudaya: The truth of the origin of suffering – Suffering is caused by desire, attachment, and ignorance (ignorance means not knowing anicca, dukkha and anatta, the true realities of nature or dhamma)

Nirodha: The truth of the cessation of suffering – Suffering can be overcome and happiness attained by eliminating desire and attachment.

Magga: The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering – The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya Atthangika Magga):

1. Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi): Understanding the nature of reality (anicca, dukkha and anatta) and the Four Noble Truths.

2. Right Intention (Samma Sankappa): Developing the right intentions of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness.

3. Right Speech (Samma Vaca): Speaking truthfully, avoiding lies, slander, and harmful speech.

4. Right Action (Samma Kammanta): Acting ethically, avoiding harm to others through actions.

5. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva): Earning a living in a way that does not harm others.

6. Right Effort (Samma Vayama): Making an effort to improve and develop positive states of mind.

7. Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati): Cultivating awareness and mindfulness of body (breath), sensations, mind and matter phenomena, and its constant interaction.

8. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi): Developing deep states of mental focus and concentration.

3. Significance

Turning the Wheel of Dharma: The Buddha metaphorically set in motion the Wheel of Dharma (Dhammacakka), initiating the teaching of the Dharma and establishing the core principles for the purification of the mind.

First Enlightenment: Kondanna, one of the five ascetics, attained the first stage of enlightenment (Sotapatti) upon hearing the sermon. This event marked the establishment of the first member of the Sangha, the community of enlightened followers.