Buddha delivers the first discourse | Esala poya falls tomorrow
It’s Esala Full Moon Poya day tomorrow. Exactly 2603 years ago, at the sacred site of Migadaya – the Deer Park at Isipatanaramaya in Benares in ancient India, the rays of the setting sun are falling on one side. On the other, the Esala full moon is gradually appearing. The Buddha is quietly approaching the sacred site having walked for one whole week from Buddhagaya where he had attained Enlightenment. The mission of the kind-hearted and compassionate Buddha is to preach the Truth he realised to the five energetic ascetics who attended on him during his struggle searching for the Truth. He has selected the five ascetics as his audience to listen to the first sermon to be delivered by him on the quiet evening on the Esala Full Moon Poya Day.
The city of Benares is situated between the rivers Varuna and Asi. ‘Migadaya’ is the Deer Park where the animals have found shelter having been saved from being killed. The rishis used to descend in the locality – hence the name ‘Isipatana’. The Buddha selected this holy site to deliver his first sermon –Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. ‘Dhamma’ is the teaching. ‘Cakka’ means the wheel. ‘Pavattana’ is to send it forward. The sermon was so named because it was the first message that the Buddha sent out to the people. The Buddha revealed this wonderful message to the five ascetics first.
Addressing the five ascetics, the Buddha said: “Monks, there are two extremes that should be avoided by those who seek Enlightenment (Nirvana). One is to give maximum comfort to one’s body or the constant attachment to sensual pleasures (‘kaamasukhallikanuyogaya’). The other is exactly the opposite – to give one’s body maximum discomfort or addiction to self-mortification (‘attakilamathanuyogaya’). One leads to attachment while the other leads to conflict. These two extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification must be avoided. Both hinder the realization of the Truth. Bodhisatva Siddhartha gave up these extremes. He followed the Middle Path by developing his mind not to be attached or come into conflict. This middle way is the Noble Eightfold Path – Right Understanding, Right Thoughts, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
The Buddha also explained how he realised the Four Noble Truths – the Noble Truth of Suffering (‘Dukkha’), the Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering (‘Samudaya’), the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (‘Nirodha’) and the Noble Truth of the Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering (‘Marga’). He realised these by himself without any assistance from a teacher. He realised that Suffering (‘duka’), Craving (‘thanha’), Insight (‘nivana’) and the Noble Eightfold Path (‘Arya Ashtangika Marga’) form the Noble Truth and that one needs to clearly understand what Suffering means, should give up Craving, comprehend Insight and follow the Eightfold Path. He told the five ascetics how at the end he had acquired the Vision (‘Cakkun Udapadi’), the Knowledge (‘Nanan Udapadi), the Wisdom (‘PannaUdapadi’), the Science (‘Vijja Udapadi’) the Light (‘Aloko Udapadi’). All this was his sole effort, he stressed.
In spite of these explanations, the five ascetics who firmly believed in self-mortification to attain Enlightenment were hesitant to accept that following the Middle Path can lead to Enlightenment. The Buddha then asked them whether at the time he himself was practising self-mortification he had told them that he had attained Enlightenment. They accepted that earlier he had not indicated that he had attained Buddhahood. The Buddha then told them that he was now saying so because he was convinced he has reached that status and that this will be his last birth and he will not be born again.
Having listened attentively to the Buddha, ascetic Kondanna thought carefully about what the Buddha preached and understood that in this world ‘whatever has the nature of arising has the nature of ceasing’. He realised the impermanence of all aggregates and the binding factors and reached the ‘Sotapatti’state – the first stage of Sainthood. For the first time in history, a disciple of the Buddha was born. So was the Triple Gem – Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha.
Observing that ascetic Kondanna had attained such status, the Buddha exclaimed in joy: “Kondanna has indeed understood, Konadanna has indeed understood”.
At this wonderful moment, the earth deities (bhoomatu devas) who had come to listen to the Buddha cried ‘Sadhu,’Sadhu’. For the first time in history, such joyous noises were heard from the Deer Park in Benares. The deities proclaimed: “The Buddha set in motion the Wheel of Truth that no ascetic or Brahmin or deity or Mara or Brahma or anyone else in the world can reverse.” These words of the deities were heard by those in the upper realms who in turn cried ‘Sadhu, Sadhu’ and sent the message through the heavens Chaturmaharajika, Tavatinsa, Yaama, Thusitha, Nimmanarathi and Paranimmithavasavatti. In turn, the message spread as far as the Brahma realm. Thus the entire universe got the message. There were responses. The universe quaked and trembled violently. A radiant light surpassing the lustre of the deities spread throughout. Once again, the Buddha joyously proclaimed that Kondanna Thera had “indeed understood the Truth”.
It was truly a moment of joy for the Buddha, who had the opportunity of reaching the goal when he, as ascetic Sumedha met the Buddha Dipankara. Instead he thought about us and decided to traverse through Samsara for millions of centuries undergoing many a painful and agonising life and even before attaining Buddhahood spent six years practising all forms of severest austerity struggling to achieve what he was looking for and finally reached Enlightenment through the Middle Path.
Thereafter the Buddha referred to Kondanna Thera, as ‘Anna Kondanna’ meaning ‘Kondanan who has realised’. The Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta was thus not only the first discourse of the Buddha but also the first Sutta that created the first disciple. It created the Vision of the Dhamma, eliminated ignorance, generated knowledge, fashioned the Triple Gem and made the universe reverberate with the sound ‘Sadhu’. Up to now it is the most favourite Sutta among the gods who prefer to acquire merit. Thus it is a Sutta to be recited at home. It will be a blessing. May you benefit by reciting and listening to the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta!
A thought for Esala
What is seen in most places today is not the correct symbol of the ‘Dhammachakraya’ (Wheel of the Dhamma). It is not a wheel – it is a ship’s steering wheel. A wheel does not have pieces jutting out. Then it cannot move either forward or backward. It will only fall flat.
The correct Dharma chakra is seen at the Asoka Pillar in India with the lion symbol. The one used in the Indian flag is also correct. It has 28 dividers symbolising the 28 factors of the Four Noble Truths. This represents the Dhamma. It is the symbol of Buddhism.
Respect the Dhamma by using it correctly. To wear round the neck for protection, get one made with the correct design. Get it blessed with Pirith chanting. The benefits will be immense.
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