Buddha First Sermon
Buddha’s First Sermon Date:28/07/2025 Location: Deer Park, Sarnath (near Varanasi, India) Audience: The five ascetics (former companions of Buddha) Occasion: After attaining enlightenment, this was the Buddha’s first public teaching. Core Teachings 1. The Middle Path (Majjhima Patipada) Avoids both extreme self-indulgence and extreme self-mortification Leads to wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline 2. The Four Noble Truths i.Dukkha (Suffering): Life is marked by suffering – birth, aging, illness, death, sorrow, and dissatisfaction. ii.Samudaya (Origin of Suffering): The cause of suffering is craving (tanha), driven by desire, attachment, and ignorance. iii.Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): Ending craving ends suffering – this is nirvana, the ultimate liberation. iv.Magga (Path to the Cessation of Suffering): The way to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path. 3. The Noble Eightfold Path Divided into 3 categories: i.Wisdom (Paññā) Right View Right Intention ii.Eth...