Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta:

A soothing balm for the human mind

by Premasara EPASINGHE

Buddha, the great teacher, delivered His first sermon, the Dhammacakappavattana Sutta, the Discourse on the inauguration of the Reign of Righteousness, literally the setting of “Righteousness or Dhamma” to the Panchavaggiye Bhikkhus namely Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddhiya, Mahanama and Assaji at Isipatana, Migadaya, as an Enlightened One or Awakened One on Esala Full Moon Poya Day.

This contains the most important teachings of the Buddha, how to live the Middle Path (Madhyama Patipada) which is detailed as the noble Eightfold Path (Ariyaastangika Magga) and the Four Noble Truths Chaturarayasattaya which the Blessed One understood and attained while attaining complete wisdom - Buddhahood.

The most sacred Piruvana Poth Vahanse consists of 30 important Suttas beginning with Saranagamana, taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamme and Sangha and concluding with Atanatiya Sutta, in the Chattuthabhanava. Some of the most popular Suttas are Mahamangala, Ratana and Karaniya Metta which were extracted from Khuddheka Nikkeya, Dhajagga and Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta from Samyutta Nikaya.

Scientific approach

The crux of the Buddhist philosophy and scientific approach to Buddhism is embodied in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. There are 18 stanzas in the Wheel of Righteousness and it begins with the following lines:

Evam me suttam ekam samayam Bhagava Bhavasiyam, Isipatane, Migadhaye, Tatra kho Bhagava, Panchavaggiye, Bhikku Amantesi, Dve me Bhikkhave anta pabbajitena sevitabha yo cayam Kamesu Kamasukkelikanuyogo, hino, gammo, pothujanniko ...... yo ceyam attakila matanuyogo, dhukko, anariyo, anettasamhito, Ete te uboante anupagamma Majjhima Pahpade Thethegatho Abisambudda, Chakkukarani - Nanakarani, Upasamaya Abhinnaya Sambhodaya Nibbanaya Samvattati.....

(Thus it has been heard by me. Once upon a time the lord was sojourning in Baranasi at Isipatane, Migadaya.

(Deer park or animal sanctuary). The Buddha addressed the bhikkhus who belonged to the Group of Five: “Monks there are two extremes which should not be followed The attachment of worldly enjoyment or pleasures. They are low, common, belonging to common men, ordinary man, ignoble, connected with Misery.

There is attachment to self mortification, suffering ignoble. Without approaching or following these two, follow the Middle Path. That path produces insight, knowledge, which leads to serenity, special knowledge, Higher Enlightenment and the bliss of Nibbana.”)

Buddhist philosophy

Buddhism or Buddhist Philosophy is meant for “Pannarantassa”, (The wise). The deep philosophy embodied in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, proves beyond doubt, the philosophy of Buddhism.

In the second stanza:

Ete te Bhikkhave, ubho ante, anupagamma Majjima patipada, Thathegatha Abhisambuddha, Chakkukarani Nanakarani- Upasamaya Abhinnaya Sambodhaya, Nibbanaya, Samvattati.

(Without approaching these two extremes - (Kamasukallikanu and Attakilamatanu) the Middle path has been realised by the way farer, producing insight knowledge which leads to serenity, special knowledge, highest enlightenment and Nibbana.)

In the third stanza of the Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta, the enlightened One stressed the value and importance of the Noble Eightfold Path: Right Vision, Right Intention, Right Word, Right Occupation, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

In the Wheel of Dhamma, the fourth stanza of Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta deals with the Truth of suffering, Birth, Old age, illness, Death.

This is the truth of life which we face even today. The Buddha is like a physician. Just as a doctor diagnoses different illnesses, their causes, the antidotes and remedies and the way to apply them the Buddha has taught the Four Truths (chaturaryasathaya) which indicate the range of suffering, the origin, the cessation and the way which leads to the cessation. These Four Truths are included in the Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta.

Great philosophers, renowned scientists, erudite scholers today, speak very high of Buddhists Philosophy.

Once, Prof. Rhys David stated: “Buddhist or not Buddhist, I have examined everyone of the great religious systems of the world, and in none of them have I found anything to surpass, in beauty and comprehensiveness, the Noble Eightfold Path and Four Noble Truths of the Buddha. I am content to shape my life according to that path.”

Noteworthy feature

Another vital noteworthy feature of this great Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta was from verses or stages 8 - 11, the Buddha repeatedly states in realising the Noble Truth of Suffering, with reference to the doctrine unheard of before Buddha stated,

Eye Arose - Chakku Udapadi, cognition Arose - Nagnam Udapadi, Wisdom Arose, Panna Udapadi, Knowledge Arose - Vijja Udapadi, Light Arose - Aloko Udapadi.

These lines are repeated 12 times in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta and prove a point that Buddhism is for the intelligent, wise and knowledgeable ones. There is no blind faith in Buddhism .

The Panchavaggiya Bhikkhu were the first disciples. Later the Buddha sent 61 disciples in different directions to preach the doctrine for the welfare of Mankind.

Buddhism is a plan for living in such a way as to derive the highest benefits from life. It is a religion of wisdom as shown in the Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta, where knowledge, intelligence and wisdom predominate. The Enlightened One did not preach to win converts, but to enlighten listeners.

If you deeply analyse the Philosophy of Buddhism, the Buddha did not preach only for the 600 million Buddhists, but for the whole mankind.

Every religion, which came into existence after the Buddha and Buddhism have borrowed many good ideas. Buddhism is realistic. It takes a realistic view of life and the world.

The Buddha is a pioneer as a lover of Mankind, and a philosophic genius rolled into a single, vigorous and radiant personality. This is clearly shown in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta . Buddhism wields only “one sword” - the sword of wisdom. It recognises only “One Enemy” - ignorance. The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is a fine example to prove it.

13th stanza

In the 13th stanza of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta He states

Nananca pana me dassanam udepadio Akuppa me Cetovimutti, Ayamanthime Jati Nathi dani punnabbvoti. Idam - avocca Bhegheve Attamana Panchavaggiya Bhikku Bhagavato Bhasitam Abinandunti.

(The release of my mind is not disturbed. This is my last birth. There is no future becoming now, “The blessed one uttered.) The Bhikkus who belonged to the group of five (Panchavaggiya) being happy approved the words of the Buddha.

According to the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta The Devas of the Earth, transmitted the message to the many heavenly abodes such as Catummahrajika, Tavatimsa, Yama, Tusita, Nimmanarati, Paranimmitavasavatti, Brahmaparisajja, and Devaj Brammapurohitha, Mahabrama, Paritthabha, Appamanabha, Abhassara, Parittasubha Subakin Vihappala, Aritta, Attappa, Sudassa, Sudassi and Akanitaka.

It is said the message rose upto the Brahma world and tens and thousands of elements at the world trembled, and were shaken and great lights unlimited appeared.

The last lines of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta specially refer to one of the five disciples namely Kondanna. Kondanna gained knowledge. (Annasi). Kondanna or Kondiyana was the first disciple of Sakyamuni Buddha. He was a son of a very wealthy Brahmin family near Kapilavasthu and was born before the Buddha. He was one of the Brahmins who predicted Prince Siddartha Gauthama will be a Buddha out of seven Brahmin.

“Atha kho Bhagava udanam uddanesi,
Annasi vata bho Kondanno, Annasi,
Vata bho Konanno’ ti, Itihidam Ayasmato
Kondannassa - Anna Kondannotveva
Namam Ahositi

Then the Buddha uttered an exclamation of Joy, “Indeed, my dear Kondanna has gained knowledge. On this reason Annakondanna became Venerable Kondanna.”

Book of Protection

The great book of Protection, known as Maha Pirith Poth Vahanse is recited in temples and houses to ward of evil and bring luck.

The Paritta book is divided into sections, called Bhanavaras - recital. The first Bhanavara ends with Dhajjaparitta second with Isigilisutta, third with first part of Attanatiya and fourth with the second part of Attanatiya Sutta.The important Sutta, Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is recited daily at the Mulagandakutivihara Varanasi. Listening to the recording of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta live from Mulagandakuti Viharaya which is telecast on Independence Television Network daily. at 4.35 am is a soothing balm to our minds.

Sabbe Satta, Bhavantu Sukitatta
May All Living Beings Be Well and Happy!.

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