dharmachakra pravartana

The term "Dharmachakra Pravartana" means "the turning of the Wheel of Dharma" and refers to Gautama Buddha's first sermon after his enlightenment. This event took place at Deer Park in Sarnath near Varanasi and is considered a foundational moment for Buddhism. In this sermon, the Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which lay the core principles of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Dharmachakra Pravartana is celebrated as Dharma Chakra Day or Dharma Chakra Parivartan Divas, marking the day when the Buddha set the wheel of Dharma (righteous law or teachings) in motion by sharing his first discourse with five ascetic disciples. This day also marks the beginning of the rainy season retreat for monks and nuns, a time dedicated to deepening meditation practice. The event is highly significant in Buddhism as it heralds the dissemination of the Buddha’s teachings that address the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. In summary, Dharmachakra Pravartana is revered as the moment when Buddha began teaching the path to enlightenment, encapsulated in the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, thus "turning the wheel of Dharma" for all beings to follow.