Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand’s King on the occasion of Asanha Bucha Day or the day when Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon, by a ceremonial gesture. The king presented upon his subjects a hand-drawn illustration depicting Buddha’s first sermon, the ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’.
The event reaffirms His Majesty’s deep faith and commitment to the principles of Buddhism, which he believes are important for alleviating suffering and enhancing the quality of life across diverse communities.
The hand-drawn illustration is intended to reflect the profound teachings of Lord Buddha’s first sermon. It is meant to inspire Buddhists to integrate the life principles of the sermon especially the truth into their daily lives for both personal growth and societal benefit.
The statement read, ‘The religious contribution by His Majesty further reinforces the spiritual and moral fibres of the entire nation’. It added, ‘The Thai monarch expresses hope that the principles symbolized by the Triple Gem—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—will guide and protect all Thais, nurturing their wisdom, truth, and virtue’.
Lord Buddha’s first sermon is known as the setting of the wheel of Dharma in motion. He gave the sermon at Sarnath, a small town near the sacred Indian city of Varanasi.
The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta as per Buddhist teachings introduces the fundamental concepts of Buddhist thought, such as the Middle Way and the Four Noble Truths.
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