Uttar Pradesh
Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas
- 12 Jul 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Ashadha Purnima was commemorated with deep spiritual devotion at Sarnath by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Mahabodhi Society of India.
- The occasion marks Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas, celebrating Lord Buddha’s first sermon.
Key Points
- About the Buddhism:
- It is a spiritual tradition founded in the 6th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha.
- It originated in India and has since spread across Asia and the world.
- The central aim of Buddhism is to overcome suffering and attain nirvana, a state of liberation and inner peace. This is achieved by following the Four Noble Truths:
- Life involves suffering (dukkha).
- Suffering is caused by desire and attachment.
- Suffering can end.
- The path to end suffering is the Eightfold Path.
- The Eightfold Path includes right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
- Buddhism emphasizes ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.
- Key concepts include karma (the law of moral causation), rebirth, and meditation.
- There are three major branches of Buddhism:
- Theravāda (practiced mainly in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia)
- Mahāyāna (practiced mainly in China, Korea, and Japan)
- Vajrayāna (practiced mainly in Tibet and Mongolia)
- Important texts include the Tripiṭaka (Pali Canon) and various Mahāyāna Sūtras.
- The Dharma Wheel is a common symbol representing the teachings of the Buddha.
Major Buddhist Sites in Uttar Pradesh:
- Kapilvastu (Siddharthnagar): Childhood home of Buddha; where he saw the Four Sights that led to renunciation.
- Sarnath: Site of Buddha’s first sermon and formation of the Buddhist Sangha.
- Shravasti: Buddha spent 25 rainy seasons here; site of Jetavana Monastery and Twin Miracle.
- Sankisa: Believed to be the place where Buddha descended from heaven after teaching his mother.
- Kaushambi: Location of Ghositarama Monastery; important for Buddha’s teachings and Sangha training.
- Kushinagar: Site of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (death) and cremation under the Sal trees.
- Ramgram (Maharajganj): Contains the only untouched stupa with Buddha’s relics.
- Devadaha: Maternal home of Buddha’s mother, stepmother, and wife; place of early teachings.
