THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER XIII – HIS FIRST SERMON
THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER XIII – HIS FIRST SERMON
The compassionate Gotama Buddha decided that He should teach His new-found knowledge to mankind so that they too could defeat the cycle of birth and death.
He saw that His first two teachers, Alaara Kalaama and Uddaka Raamaputta, had passed away. He chose His five friends next, and went to Isipatana where they were residing.
When the five friends saw the Buddha they decided to ignore him. They thought that the ascetic Gotama had given up the holy life, as He had moved away from extreme self-mortification. However, they could not ignore the radiance of His presence.
It was the full moon day in the month of July. At the deer park in Isipatana, the Buddha delivered His first sermon after enlightenment. Dhammachakka is the name given to His first sermon. The meaning of Dhammachakka is “The establishment of wisdom”. However, it is often referred to as the “Wheel of truth”. After hearing it His friend Kondanna reached the first stage of spiritual development known as Sotaapatti (1).
The Dhammachakka sutta is very important, as in this first sermon the Buddha taught us about the Four Noble Truths and the Middle Path.
The Middle Path is what the Buddha followed to attain enlightenment. He gave up the extreme of wealth and luxuries He had had as a Prince and the extreme self-mortification of torturing His body by withholding the necessities for life. Instead, He used the Middle Path. He catered to the needs of His body rather than to the wants of His mind. This Middle Path that leads to the end of suffering is comprised of the Noble Eightfold Path – namely:
- Right Understanding
2. Right Thinking
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
Following The Eightfold Noble Path leads to the understanding of the Four Noble Truths which results in Nibbaana. The Four Noble Truths are:
- Dukkha – That which is difficult to endure – suffering or dissatisfaction
2. Cause of Dukkha – craving and attachment
3. End to Dukkha – Nibbaana (no more rebirth)
4. The way to end Dukkha – following the Eightfold Noble Path.
(1). Sotaapatti – The first stage of saintliness, also known as “stream enterer”. Those who have attained Sotaapatti will attain Nibbaana within seven more births.
