Page 40 - Siddhartha Gautama Buddha Teacher of Gods & Men

ASALHA 佛教第六次结集

6th Buddhist
PUJA DAY (缅甸 Myanmar:
Council

1954

Asalha Puja falls on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month. It is also known as Dhamma

Day celebrating the Buddha’s first sermon (Dhammacakkapavatana Sutta) in which he sets

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 in motion the wheel of dhamma,” is the

teaching which is encapsulated for Buddhists in the four noble truths: there is suffering

(dukkha); suffering is caused by craving (tanha); there is a path to end suffering and craving;

and finally, the way to Nibbana is via the noble eightfold path. All the various schools and

traditions of Buddhism revolve around this 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 contain the essence of all his subsequent teachings. 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. This day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to

sermons and is known as Vassa – the Theravada rains retreat.