Context:
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) celebrated Ashadha Purnima on 3 July, 2023 as Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas.
About Ashadha Purnima:
- The day marks Buddha’s first teaching (sermon) after attaining Enlightenment to the first five ascetic disciples.
- Location – ‘Deer Park’, Ṛiṣipatana Mrigadaya in the present day Sarnath, near Varanasi.
- This teaching of Dhamma Chakka-Pavattana Sutta (Pali) or Dharma chakra Pravartana Sutra (Sanskrit) is also known as the First Turning of Wheels of Dharma and comprises the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
- The day is also observed as Guru Poornima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their Gurus.
- The day marks the establishment of the Sangha, on a full-moon day of the month of Asadha, in the Indian Sun calendar.
- It is the 2nd most important sacred day of observance for Buddhists.
- Known as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asanha Bucha in Thailand.
- It is also believed to mark the onset of monsoons.
4 main places related to Buddha
- Bodh Gaya: Enlightenment
- Sarnath: first sermon
- Shravasti: Chaturmases and gave most of the sermons
- Kushinagar: Mahaparinirvana
Vaishakh Buddha Purnima:
- It is the most sacred day of the year for Buddhists.
- It marks the Birth, Enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha’s life.
- The day has been recognised by the United Nations as the ‘UN Day of Vesak’.
The International Buddhist Confederation:
- It is the biggest religious Buddhist confederation in the world.
- Founded in 2011
- Headquarters – New Delhi
- Aim – To represent a united front for Buddhism.
Source: PIB