Dharma Day Date: July 3
Dharma Day is observed among Buddhists worldwide.
The Buddhist festival Dharma Day celebrates the day the Buddhist religion became established, also known as Asalha Puja Day. After gaining enlightenment at Buddha-Gaya on the full moon of Visakha, the lord Buddha was at peace with himself. Two months later at the Deer Park near Benares he delivered his first sermon to his first five disciples, Kondann, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanam and Assiji on the full moon of Asalha on the eighth lunar month. This year the day falls on July 18, 2010..
Dharma Day History
The five Brahmins had been in search of the highest wisdom and had met the Buddha by accident and asked him for his help to reach enlightenment. The Buddha delivered the sermon known as the Wheel of Dharma including the four noble truths, suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering and the way to the end of suffering. After listening to the sermon Kondanna was the first to reach enlightenment then shortly after the four other disciples also reached enlightenment.
Since this special day Dharma day has become one of the most important days of the Buddhist calendar as on this day the Buddhist religion was established.
Dharma Day Traditions and Activities
Buddhist throughout the world visit their temples and practice Dharma. They also give small necessary donations to the monks and listen to sermons to remind them of this great beginning. At the end of the evening they attend wien thien ceremony where they walk around the tample holding lit incense sticks and candles praying alongside the monks as they deliver sermons.
Dharma day is so sacred to Buddhists as they feel after celebrating this day their spirit has been purified leaving them with peace in their hearts. To Buddhists Dharma day is a day of peace away from the outside world.
Dharma Day is also known as:
- Asalha Puja Day
