DHAMMA CHAKRA DAY

• Recently, India in partnership with International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) celebrated Asadha Poornima Dhamma Chakra Day 2021 on 24th July 2021.
• The day is also observed as Guru Poornima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their Gurus. 

Important points:

• 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:

1. Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.
2. Every suffering has a cause – Samudya.
3. Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha.
4. It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eightfold Path).

Eightfold Path:

The Rainy Season retreat (Varsha Vassa) for the Monks and Nuns also starts with this day lasting for three lunar months from July to October, during which they remain in a single place, generally in their temples (Viharas/Chaityas) dedicated to intensive meditation.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT