ASADHA POORNIMA DHAMMA CHAKRA DAY

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, India in partnership with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) celebrated Asadha Poornima Dhamma Chakra Day 2021.

• The day is also observed as Guru Poornima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their Gurus.

About:

• It commemorates Buddha’s first sermon to his first five ascetic disciples. He gave his first knowledge to the world after attaining enlightenment.
• The day marks the establishment of the Sangha, on a full-moon day of the month of Asadha, in the Indian Sun calendar at the ‘Deer Park’, Ṛṣipatana in the current day Sarnath, near Varanasi, India.
  • It is also known as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asanha Bucha in Thailand.
  • It is the second most sacred day for Buddhists after the Buddha Poornima or Vesak.
• This teaching of Dhamma Chakka- PavattanaSutta (Pali) or Dharma chakra Pravartana Sutra (Sanskrit) is also known as the First Turning of Wheels of Dharma and comprises the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
  • Four Noble Truths:
    • Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.
    • Every suffering has a cause – Samudya.
    • Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha.
    • It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eightfold Path)