Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta

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Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta

Tittle of Buddha's first sermon, the translation of which is often rendered"Sermon on the turning of the Wheel of the Law." Buddhist history informs us that Siddhārtha Gautam, the historical Buddha, preached his first sermon in a deer park outside Benaras to his five former ascetic colleges. In so doing, he fulfilled the prophecy of his youth in which it was determined that would turn the wheel of either the secular or religious law depending on his choice of vocation. As such, the first sermon is appropriately named. The substance of this text focuses on the futility of the two extremes of life(i.e.,pleasure seeking and asceticism) as well as espousing the cornerstone doctrine of Buddha's Dhamma, the Four Noble Truths. Upon hearing the sermon, one of the five ascetics, Añña kaudinya, becomes enlightened and is enjoined to go forth into the homeless, mendicant life with the formula, "Ehi Bhikkhu," "Come, O. Monk." Thus, in a single stroke, the Buddha launches his ministry of preaching(Dhamma) and begins a community of like-minded followers(Sangha).