Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is a) a set of secular codes for Buddhist...
- The setting in motion of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or Promulgation of the Law Sutta is a Buddhist text that is considered a record of the first teaching given by Gautama Buddha after he attained enlightenment.
- According to tradition, Buddha gave this teaching in Samath, India, to the 'five ascetics', his former companions with whom he had spent six years practising austerities.
- The main topic of this Sutra is the Four Noble Truths, which are the central teachings of Buddhism that provide a unifying theme, or conceptual framework, for all of the Buddhist thoughts.
- This Sutra also introduces the Buddhist concepts of the middle way, impermanence, and dependent origination.
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Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is a) a set of secular codes for Buddhist...
The correct answer is option 'B', which states that the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is a record of the first teaching given by Gautama Buddha after he attained enlightenment.
The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, also known as the "Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma," is a significant discourse in Buddhism. It is considered to be the first sermon delivered by Gautama Buddha after he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This event is often referred to as the "First Turning of the Dharma Wheel."
Here is a detailed explanation of why option 'B' is the correct answer:
1. Context of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta:
- The sutta takes place at a deer park in Sarnath, near Varanasi, India.
- Gautama Buddha had previously practiced extreme asceticism but realized it did not lead to enlightenment.
- After six years of spiritual seeking, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, the Awakened One.
2. The content of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta:
- The sutta begins with the Buddha addressing his five former ascetic companions who had abandoned him when he renounced extreme asceticism.
- In the discourse, the Buddha explains the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path.
- He explains that the Middle Way avoids the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification, leading to liberation from suffering.
- The Four Noble Truths are: the truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
- The Noble Eightfold Path consists of right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
3. Significance of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta:
- This teaching marks the beginning of the Buddha's public ministry and the spread of Buddhism.
- It lays the foundation for the core teachings of Buddhism, which include the understanding of suffering, its cause, and the path to its cessation.
- The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is considered one of the most important discourses in the Buddhist canon and is often studied and recited by Buddhists worldwide.
- It encapsulates the essence of the Buddha's teachings and provides a roadmap for individuals seeking liberation from suffering.
In conclusion, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is a record of the first teaching given by Gautama Buddha after he attained enlightenment. It contains the foundational teachings of Buddhism, including the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path. This discourse holds immense significance in the Buddhist tradition and is considered the starting point of the Buddha's public ministry.
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