Bro. Tan explaining the timeless truth of Buddha’s teachings in ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’.

‘Dhammacakka Day’ is an annual observance day at Nalanda where we commemorate the preaching of the first discourse by the Buddha after His Enlightenment – the ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’.  Falling on 9 July, it also marked the conclusion of the annual 6-week Gimhāna Retreat observed by Nalandians.  We were fortunate to have Bro. Tan deliver the concluding teachings of this year’s Gimhāna Retreat followed by a study of the ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’.

The morning service began with meditation on loving-kindness.

‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’ means the sermon which set in motion the wheel of Dhamma.  In this discourse, the Buddha points out the Four Noble Truths of suffering, its cause, its end, and the way to its ending, which is the Noble Eightfold Path.  All beings experience various degrees of unhappiness.  However, unlike other beings, humans have the ability to make sense of why we suffer and to cultivate factors that free us from this suffering.

Following Nalanda tradition, the ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’ was recited by the congregation.

Driven by ignorance and craving, we wander through Samsāra life after life not realising that chasing success and material gains are only temporary reliefs, not the cure for unhappiness and insecurity.  It is through realising the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path that leads us to liberation.

We would like to express our gratitude to Bro. Tan for delivering these timeless and essential teachings of the Buddha.  May we progress in our practice until we attain the bliss of Nibbāna.

Ven. Sri Saranankara, Abbot of Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul, accepted our invitation for the noon meal at Nalanda Centre.

Ven. Sri Saranankara giving a short teaching before the offerings.