Celebrate the Buddha's First Sermon and Start the Rainy Retreat (Vassa) 2009

IBC celebrates the "Asalha Pūja" on 7th July 2009 commemorating the Buddha's first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist Sangha.

The day was observed in association with the Rainy Retreat (Vassa) ceremony at IBC. All the lay members of IBC together with 55 families of Klintiandharm Weekend School took part in this merit making ceremony taking the Five Precepts (Pa├▒cas─½la).

The Sangha members led by the Director of Student Affairs Ven. Zhen Chan and senior student Ven. Kong Sopal blessed the devotees by reciting P─üli and Chinese stanzas respectively.

The Venerables then explained the significance of Asalha Pūja as it marks the "Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma" (Dhammacakkapavattana) for the first time in this world by the Buddha Shakyamuni. The teaching is encapsulated in the Four Noble Truths (Cattāriariyasaccāni): all life is unsatisfactory (Dukkha); unsatisfactoriness is caused by craving (Tanha); there is a state (Nibbāna) beyond unsatisfactoriness and craving; and finally, the path to Nibbāna is through the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyātthangikamagga).

At the end of the Dhamma talk, the lay members offered robes and other requisites to the Sangha members. This offering is held in high esteem in Buddhist cultures as it leads to numerous fortunate events in this life and also rebirth in heavenly abodes in the next life.

(Reported by Ven. Assaji Tanchangya, IBC MA student)