.svg)
Experience a deep dive into 2,500 years of spiritual history as we commemorate Asalha Puja on July 21! Asalha Puja, also known as Dhamma Day, holds a special place in the heart of Buddhism, as it marks the first sermon Buddha delivered after he attained enlightenment. It is the day Buddhism took its first steps towards becoming a global religion. As we honor this momentous day in Buddhist history, we revel in the teachings of wisdom, ethics, and mental discipline, all of which continue to enlighten millions around the world. As we take this journey back in time, let us refill our spiritual reservoirs with Buddha's timeless wisdom on Asalha Puja!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>563 BCE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Buddha</div><div class='timeline-text'>Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become the Buddha, was born in Lumbini.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>528 BCE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Buddha's Enlightenment</div><div class='timeline-text'>Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at the age of 35, gaining complete insight into the cause of suffering and how to eliminate it.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>528 BCE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Buddha's First Sermon</div><div class='timeline-text'>On the full moon of Asalha, Buddha delivered his first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath to the five ascetics, which marks the start of Buddhism.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>300s CE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Spread of Buddhism</div><div class='timeline-text'>Buddhism began to spread outside of India to other Asian countries, eventually becoming a global religion.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition of Asalha Puja</div><div class='timeline-text'>Asalha Puja became widely recognized as a significant day in Buddhist calendar across different Buddhist traditions worldwide.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Attend a Dharma talk</h3><p class='facts-text'>Seek out a local Buddhist temple and attend a Dharma talk in honor of Asalha Puja. For a deeper understanding, consider participating in discussions and learning more about Buddhist principles and teachings.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Engage in mindful meditation</h3><p class='facts-text'>Find a quiet, serene place and practice some mindful meditation. You can do this by focusing on your breath and letting go of any distracting thoughts. This is an excellent way to pay homage to Buddha's teachings on Asalha Puja.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Read a Buddhist script</h3><p class='facts-text'>Spend the day reading and reflecting on one of the many Buddhist scriptures or sutras. "The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta," which describes Buddha's first sermon, would be particularly fitting for Asalha Puja.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in a candle procession</h3><p class='facts-text'>Lights have significant symbolism in Buddhism, signifying wisdom and liberation from darkness. Consider participating in a candle procession, either at your local temple or virtually through online ceremonies. This act is a beautiful representation of feeding the flame of wisdom within you.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Spread kindness and generosity</h3><p class='facts-text'>In keeping with the Buddha's teachings, you can make Asalha Puja meaningful by expressing kindness and generosity towards others. Spend the day doing acts of goodwill like helping a neighbor, donating to a charity, or sharing a meal with the less fortunate. This way, you will be embracing the essence of Buddhism - compassion and selflessness.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Spiritual Reconnection</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Celebrating Asalha Puja provides a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in spiritual enlightenment and reconnect with our inner peace. It serves as a reminder of the valuable teachings of Buddha, which have guided us towards wisdom, ethical living, and mental discipline.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebration of Buddhism's Birth</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Asalha Puja marks the day Buddhism was born - celebrating this allows us to appreciate our spiritual journey and the timeless wisdom that Buddha bestowed upon us. It's a fascinating deep dive into the history of Buddhism, and the moment it took its first steps towards becoming a global religion.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promoting Kindness & Generosity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Celebration of Asalha Puja is also a reminder to ourselves to uphold Buddhist teachings of compassion and selflessness. We are encouraged to spread kindness, practice generosity, and perform acts of goodwill, which resonates strongly with the essence of Buddhism and makes our world a better place.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Sermon was Given to The Five Ascetics</h3><p class='facts-content'>Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to five ascetics, his former companions with whom he had sought enlightenment.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Rains Retreat Starts with Asalha Puja</h3><p class='facts-content'>Asalha Puja also marks the beginning of Vassa, the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners, often referred to as the "Buddhist rains retreat".</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Buddha Set in Motion the Wheel of Dharma</h3><p class='facts-content'>Asalha Puja commemorates the moment when Buddha "set the wheel of dharma in motion". This refers to Buddha's first discourse and teaching the truths he discovered upon achieving enlightenment.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Asalha Puja is a Public Holiday in Many Countries</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to its significance to Buddhism, Asalha Puja is recognized as a national public holiday in many countries, including Thailand and Laos, where devotees visit temples for prayers and sermons.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Festival Can Last Several Days</h3><p class='facts-content'>In some communities, Asalha Puja isn't confined to just one day; it can be a festival spanning several days, filled with faithful practices, processions, offerings, and joyful celebrations.</p></div></div>
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
