Buddhists to celebrate Asalha Puja Day
Massarah Mikati Deseret News July 1 2015
Buddhists around the world will be spending Thursday celebrating what is considered one of the most important Buddhist holidays, and the establishment of the religion: Asalha Puja Day.
The holiday falls on the full moon day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, according to World Religion News.
Marking the day that the Buddha first began teaching, Buddhists spend the holiday reflecting on the qualities of the Buddha and expressing gratitude for his teachings. They often celebrate with readings from Buddhist scriptures, according to Education Scotland.
World Religion News also reported that some modern Buddhist monks recite the Eight Precepts of Buddhism, give sermons and lead meditations with candle processions.
Two lunar months preceding his first teaching, the Buddha gained enlightenment but was not eager to teach, according to the Chiang Mai University website. However, under the insistence of friends, he traveled to Beneras, India, and delivered his first sermon, which is commonly referred to as "setting into motion the wheel of the Dharma."
This sermon revealed the four noble truths that continue to be the central doctrine of Buddhism today: life means suffering (dukkha), which is caused by attachment (tanha), ending suffering is possible (nirvana), and nirvana can be attained by The Eight-Fold Path.