Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas is celebrated on 3rd July annually to commemorate the first sermon of Lord Buddha, which laid the foundation for the middle path of Dhamma. This is the day when Buddha shared his enlightenment and knowledge with his disciples, setting into motion the wheel of Dhamma.
Lord Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautam in the royal family of the Sakya clan ruling from Kapilvastu, which is now located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. At 29, Buddha denounced his riches, adopted asceticism, and pursued enlightenment. After meditating for 49 consecutive days in Bihar’s Bodhgaya village, he attained enlightenment under a Pipal tree. His first sermon happened at Sarnath village near Varanasi on Asadha Purnima, which marks the annual celebration of Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas.
Significant Teachings of Lord Buddha
Lord Buddha’s teachings are profound and inclusive. They revolve around multiple principles such as the Three Marks of Existence, the Four Noble Truths, the Four Sublime States, and the Five Precepts.
The Three Marks of Existence imply that all phenomena are characterized by impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self. The Four Noble Truths focus on the nature, cause, cessation, and path to ending suffering. They highlight ignorance, attachment, and aversion as causes of sufferings that can be overcome by following the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Four Sublime States are loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity which, when practiced, foster peace, empathy, altruism, and harmony. Finally, the Five Precepts serve as the fundamental ethical guidelines, advocating against acts of killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.
Relevance of Buddha’s Teachings for the Modern Youth
Youth today can find immense inspiration in Buddha’s teachings to overcome life’s challenges. His principles of mindfulness, impermanence, non-attachment, compassion, empathy, self-discovery, and social responsibility all provide a strong foundation for personal growth and community building.
Buddha’s practice of mindfulness encourages awareness of the present moment, promoting better understanding of thoughts, emotions and actions. In a world brimming with distractions, practicing mindfulness can help youth manage stress, enhance focus and concentration, and cultivate self-awareness.
Buddha’s teachings on impermanence and non-attachment are particularly beneficial in today’s materialistic society. Recognizing the transient nature of joy and suffering, and letting go of attachment to outcomes, possessions, and relationships, can lead to emotional resilience, adaptability, and equanimity.
For a more empathetic and connected world, young people can look up to Buddha’s teachings on compassion and empathy. Additionally, by engaging in self-reflection and introspection, they can discover their true selves and purpose.
Buddha also stressed social and environmental responsibility given the interconnectedness of all beings. By embodying this principle, youth can work towards building an equitable, harmonious, and environmentally sustainable society.
Past Questions from UPSC CSE on Buddhism
For aspirants preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, the relevance of Buddhism in India’s religious history has been a prominent area of study as evidenced by the questions asked in previous years. For instance, questions like “Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism, true or false?” or “The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism, true or false?” have been asked. Understanding and interpreting these questions correctly is crucial to scoring well in this section of the examination.
It’s clear that the teachings of Lord Buddha continue to hold relevance today as they provide a practical guide for personal transformation and the creation of a more harmonious society.