Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)
Commemorating the Buddha's first teaching — the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.
✦ Why It Matters
Asalha Puja commemorates the occasion when the Buddha gave his first sermon, the "Discourse on Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion," to his first five disciples in the Deer Park at Sarnath, India. This established the first Buddhist community (Sangha).
✦ How It Is Observed
Temple ceremonies, candle processions (wien tian), listening to the first sermon, offering robes to monks, observing extra precepts. This day begins the Vassa (Buddhist Lent) retreat.
✦ Sacred Text
“Monks, these two extremes are not to be practiced. What are the two? That which is devoted to the pursuit of sensual happiness — and that which is devoted to self-mortification. Avoiding both extremes, the Tathagata has realized the middle way.”
— Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ↗