Union Ministry in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation had organised celebrations for Dhamma Chakra Day on Asadha Poornima. The inauguration was done by our President Ram Nath Kovind from Rashtrapati Bhawan at New Delhi. The day is celebrated to mark Buddha’s First Sermon to his first 5 ascetic disciples at the Deer Park, Rsipatana in the present-day Sarnath near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Dhamma Chakra Day is celebrated by Buddhists across the world as the day of Dharma Chakra Parvattana or “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”.
• This day is the second most sacred day for Buddhists after the Buddha Poornima or Vesak. It is known as Asanha Bucha in Thailand and Esala Poya in Sri Lanka
• The day marks Buddha’s first teaching after attaining Enlightenment to the first five ascetic disciples “pancavargika” on the full-moon day of Asadha at Deer Park, Risipatana (current day Sarnath, near Varanasi, India.)
• Buddha’s first sermon, after his enlightenment, is recorded in the Buddhist text “Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole program will be conducted virtually. The event is expected to be witnessed by around 30 lakh devotees worldwide via live webcast.
Lawcutor 