Chapter 4

The First Discourse

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

Thus have I heard:

On one occasion the Blessed One was residing at the Deer Park in Isipatana, near Benares. Thereupon the Blessed One addressed the five Bhikkhus as follows:-

"There are two extreme (Anta) which should be avoided by a recluse."

"(The) constant attachment to Sensual Pleasures- Kamasukhallikanuyoga which is base, vulgar, worldly, ignoble, and profitless; and (the) constant addiction to Self Mortification - Attaki Jamathanuyoga which is a painful ignoble, and profitless."

"Avoiding these two extremes, O Bhikkhus, the Tathágata has discovered the Middle Path - Majjhima Patipada which promotes sight, knowledge, Peace- Vupasamaya, Higher Wisdom - Abhinnaya, Enlightenment - Sambodhaya, and Nibbanaya."

"What, O Bhikkhus, is that Middle Path the Tathágata has discovered which promotes sight, knowledge, peace, Higher Wisdom, Enlightenment, and Nibbána?"

"It is this Noble Eightfold Path - namely, Right Understanding - Samma Ditthi, Right Thoughts - Samma Sankappa, Right Speech - Samma Vaca, Right Action-Samma Kammanta, Right Livelihood - Samma Ajiva, Right Effort - Samma Vayama, Right Mindfulness - Samma Sati, and Right Concentration - Samma Samadhi. This, O Bhikkhus, is the Middle Path which the Tathágata has found out."

(1) "Now this, O Bhikkhus, is The Noble Truth of suffering: Birth is suffering, decay is suffering, disease is suffering, death is suffering, to be united with the unpleasant is suffering, to be separated from the pleasant is suffering, not to receive what one desires is suffering, in brief, the five Aggregates of Attachment are suffering."

(2) "Now this, O Bhikkhus, is The Noble Truth of the cause of suffering:- It is the craving which produces rebirth, accompanied by passionate clinging, welcome this and that (life). It is the craving for sensual pleasures Kamatanha, craving for becoming Bhavatanha’ and craving for annihilation Vibhavatanha"

(3) "Now this, O Bhikkhus, is The Noble Truth of the cessation of suffering: It is the complete separation from, and destruction of, this very craving, its forsaking, renunciation, liberation, and detachment."

(4) "Now this, O Bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of The path leading to the cessation of suffering:-

It is this Noble Eightfold Path namely, Right Understanding, Right Thoughts, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration."

(1)

i) "This is the Noble Truth of Suffering - Dukkha Ariya Sacca.

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye, the knowledge, the wisdom, the insight, and the light.

ii. "This Noble Truth of Suffering should be Comprehended - Parinneyya".

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye…the light,

iii. "This Noble Truth of Suffering has been comprehended-Parinnata."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye…the light.

(2)

i. "This is The Noble Truth of the cause of suffering - Dukkha Samudaya Ariya Sacca."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye…the light.

ii "This Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering should be eradicated - Pahatabba."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eyes…the light.

iii "This Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering has been eradicated-Pahinam."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye...the light.

(3)

i. "This is The Noble Truth of the cessation of suffering - Dukkha Nirodha Ariya Sacca."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eyes...the light.

ii. "This Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering should be realized -Sacchika tabbam."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye...the light.

iii. "This Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering has been realized- Sacchikatam."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eyes...the light.

(4)

i. "This is The Noble Truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering - Dukkha Nirodhagamini Patipada Ariya Sacca."

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye...the light.

ii. "This Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering should be developed-Bhavetabbam."

Thus, O, Bhikkhus, with respect to things unheard before, there arose in me the eye…the light.

iii. This Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the cessation of Suffering has been developed - Bhativam

Thus, O Bhikkhus, with respect to thin unheard before, there arose in me the eye...the light.

"As long as, O Bhikkhus, the absolute true knowledge regarding these Four Noble Truths under their three aspects and twelve modes was not perfectly clear to me, so long did I not acknowledge, in this world, together with gods, Maras, and Brahmas, amongst the hosts of ascetics and priests, gods and men, that I had gained the Incomparable, Supreme Enlightenment.

When O Bhikkhus, the absolute true knowledge regarding these Four Noble Truths, under their three aspects and twelve modes perfectly clear to me, then only did I acknowledge in the world, together with gods, Maras, and Brahmas, amongst the hosts of ascetics and priests, gods, and men, that I had gained the Incomparable Supreme Enlightenment.

"And there arose in me the knowledge and insight - Unshakable is the deliverance of my mind, this is my last birth now there is no more rebirth."

This the Blessed One said, and the delighted Bhikkhus applauded the words of the Blessed One. While this doctrine was being expounded, there arose in the Venerable Kondanna" the dustless, stainless eye of Truth, ‘Whatsoever has arisen, all that must inevitably perish.’

When the Buddha expounded this Dhammacakka, the earth-bound deities exclaimed:-"This excellent Dhammacakka, which could not be expounded by any ascetics, priest, god;

Mara, or Brahma in this world, was expounded by the Blessed One at the Deer Park in Isipatana, near Benares."

Hearing it, the Devas of Catummaharajika, Tavatimsa, Yama, Tusita, Nimmanarati, Para-nimmitavasavatti; and the Brahmas of Brahma Parisajja, Brahma Purohita, Maha Brahma, Parittabha, Appamanabha, Abhassara, Paritta-subha, Appamanasubha, Subhakinha, Vehapphala, Aviha, Atappa, Sudassa, Sudassi, and Akanittha also raised the same joyous cry.

Thus at that very moment, at that very instant, this cry extended as far as the Brahma Realm. These ten thousand world systems quaked, tottered and trembled violently.

A radiant light, surpassing the effulgence of the Devas, appeared in the world. Then the Blessed One said:

"Friends, Kondanna has indeed understood. Friends, Kondanna has indeed understood." Therefore the Venerable Kondanna was name Annata Kondanna.