ASALHA PUJA DAY is one of Theravada Buddhism’s most important festivals, celebrating the day on which the Buddha gave the first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavatta Sutta, the doctrine of the Four Noble Truths, to his five former yogis at the Deer Park in Benares, India. This first pivotal sermon, is often referred to as “setting into motion the wheel of dharma”.

Anyakonthanya, one of the five yogis, after understanding what the Buddha said, asked to become his disciple, and was ordained as the first monk.  It was on this day that the Triple Gem was born, (i.e. the first existence of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha).

The day after the sermon the Buddha started spending three months, during the raining season, at Deer Park. Which later was proclaimed Buddhist Lent Koa Pansa Day.

Please visit the Temple to celebrate this special event.