Activities Asalha Puja Day: Full Moon Day - July 10, 2006

Asalha Day commemorates the Buddha's first discourse delivered to the five disciples in Benares. This historical event took place on the full moon day in the month of July (old Indian Indian calendar: eighth lunar month; Chinese calendar: sixth lunar month).

After the Buddha's enlightenment on the full moon of Vesakha (the sixth month), the Buddha's wanted to preach his Teachings to his two former worldly teachers, Alara and Udaka. However he came to realize that the twp teachers had passed away - Alara passed away only seven day ago and Udaka the day before. He next perceived the group of five ascetics who had attended to him when he was meditating at Uruvela forest. They were now in Migadaya Forest near Benares. He journeyed for two months on foot to the forest which was eighteen yojanas (about l44 miles) away from Gaya.

Turning the Wheel of Dhamma

Arriving at the Migadaya forest on the evening of the fullmoon day of July (Burmese: Waso), he convinced his five friends that he had discovered the ultimate truth, and that, henceforth, he should be known as the Buddha. To the five ascetics, he expounded the very first discourse known as Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which consists of the two extremes to be avoided, the Middle Path to be followed and the Four Noble Truths to be realized. After hearing that discourse, Venerable Kondanna proclaimed his understanding of the teachings and attained the sotapanna (stream enterer) stage. There broke out a booming earth-quake - a great rejoicing of the devas and the brahmas over the preaching of the discourse. It was said that countless devas and brahmas also attained sotapannas at that time.

Then the Buddha explained the Sutta in detail to the four ascetics who were not yet enlightened to the Noble Truths. Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji practised in accordance with the Wheel of Dhamma for four days. And one after another, they entered the stream of Ariya Path. On the fifth day, the Buddha proceeded to preach "Anattalakkhana Sutta" to the Group of Five Bhikkhus. At the end of this Sutta, they became arahats, eradicating all defilements.

Thenceforth, there arose the Order of Sangha in the world. As the Magha Puja Day came to be called Sangha Day, so was this Asalha Puja Day came to be known as Dhamma Day.

Kathina

The day after Asalha Day marks the beginning of the Vas Retreats (Kao Phansa) which typically last for three months, ending in October. It is at the end of this period that the Kathina Ceremony is performed.

For an excellent summary of the origins of the Kathina Ceremony please check out the buddhamind.info website: Origins of Kathina Ceremony.

At the Mongkol Dharm Singapore Centre, we celebrate the Asalha Day by observing the following practices:

Evening Activities:

1. Lighting of oil lamps: 8:30 pm*
2. Chanting: 8:45 pm - 9:30 pm
3. Meditation: 9:30 pm - 10:15 pm
4. Circumambulating 3 times around the centre with 3 joss sticks, candle and lotus flowers: 10:15 pm - 10:45 pm
5. Aditthana: Making Your Wish: 10:45 pm- 11:00 pm
6. Sharing of Merits: 11:00 pm - 11:15 pm Being an auspicious day, it is very meritorious to observe this day with the proper practice.<.li>

With this great merit, may your good wishes be granted and fulfilled and that your loved ones, departed or otherwise, be blessed by the Triple Gem.

There are no plans at this moment as to the celebration of the Kathina Ceremony. Update in due course.