The Buddha's Encounter with the Five Ascetics and His First Sermon
Meeting the Ascetics:
The Buddha, having attained enlightenment, approached his five former companions, the ascetics, to share his realization. He declared himself an arhat and a fully awakened one, having realized the “immortal” (amata). Initially, the ascetics were skeptical, as they recalled his previous rigorous austerities and were puzzled by his current appearance of living in abundance. They questioned how he could have attained supreme knowledge now.
Convincing the Ascetics:
The Buddha denied giving up striving and insisted they listen. After his repeated requests, he asked if they had ever heard him make such a claim before. Struck by his sincerity and straightforwardness, the ascetics, acknowledging they hadn’t heard this from him before, became convinced of his attainment. They then addressed him as “Lord” instead of “Reverend Gotama.”
First Sermon - Dhammacakkappavatana-sutta:
The Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavatana-sutta (Setting in Motion the Wheel of Truth), at Isipatana (modern Sarnath). The sermon emphasized the Noble Truth of suffering (Dukkha), explaining its pervasive nature in human existence:
- Birth: Involves pain and discomfort.
- Aging: Leads to physical and mental decline.
- Sickness: Causes pain and limits abilities.
- Death: Brings fear and suffering.
- Emotional Distress: Includes sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair.
- Unpleasant Associations: Being in unwanted situations or with unpleasant people.
- Separation from Pleasantness: Losing what brings joy and comfort.
- Unfulfilled Desires: Leads to dissatisfaction and suffering.
He explained that suffering is tied to the five aggregates of attachment—form, sensations, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. Understanding and addressing these sources of suffering is crucial for moving towards enlightenment.
The Five Aggregates:
In Buddhism, the Five Aggregates (Pañcakkhandha) represent the components of a sentient being’s existence:
- Form: Physical body.
- Sensations: Feelings.
- Perceptions: Recognition.
- Mental Formations: Thoughts and attitudes.
- Consciousness: Awareness.
These aggregates challenge the notion of a permanent self and are key to understanding suffering and the path to enlightenment. They illustrate the transient and interconnected nature of existence, fostering mindfulness, ethical behavior, and compassion.
Vipassana Meditation:
Vipassana meditation involves observing thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations mindfully and non-judgmentally. It promotes self-awareness, emotional balance, stress reduction, and insight into the impermanent nature of experiences, aiding in the path to enlightenment.
Link to the Class: https://youtu.be/2DPI62VTGOg
Link to the PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FRfJh9RnJD_sTo_WSfgzJVFBeBBuRgt8/view?usp=sharing
I believe that meditation plays a vital role in human life. There are many forms of meditation, but I am particularly moved by Buddha's method: Vipassana Meditation. It helps me stay in the present, increasing my focus and effectiveness in life.
ReplyDeleteI am deeply moved by the relevance of eight fold path of Buddha teaching which inspire me to apply in my day today life.
ReplyDeleteThe Noble Truth of suffering teaches me to accept the reality of suffering that exists in the world today. In order to overcome the suffering I need to dwell with the suffering that comes my way.
ReplyDeleteThe eight fold path and five aggravates lead us towards the ultimate truth. Vipasana meditation gives a broad view about the conduct of a person, it also helps a person to rectify our way of lifestyle in order to attain the enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteToday's class was extremely exciting to know and realise the effect of craving and desire for something in life which leads to an attachment. In my personal experienced it is actually takes towards positive and negative side in life. So it made me to become aware of the craving and my own desire of something.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the five aggregates are still relevant in today's world. All humans experience some form of suffering in their lives. The five aggregates help us understand our sufferings, and Vipassana meditation helps us let go of our suffering and be in a tranquil moment.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me different ideas of suffering in life. Suffering can't be separated from human life. We have various levels of suffering. Looking at the life of Gautama, i feel whether it is possible in today's context?
ReplyDeleteI got an eye opening view of seeing suffering as a very essential elements of human being. Five aggregates are truly keys to manage suffering and keep oneself at a state of peace.
ReplyDeleteSangha was growing in numbers even it was open for the lay people; as the new way of life was emerging many young men and women were attracted to this kind of life because they were able to attain the ultimate joy deep within themselves. as we face in religious congregation the vocation crisis it is because most of the religious are not joyful or living superficial life that keep the youth to step back from religious life.
ReplyDeleteYasa and his family become the disciples or the followers of Buddha.Yasa family were a highly rich and that entire family members followed the path of Buddha was an unique I found. I felt personally that there is a ultimate happiness and joy to fine get in that spiritual life. So the conversion in their was and the point for me to reflect that what motivated them ..
ReplyDeleteThe most touching elements that I felt was the first disciples joining to Buddha. I was reflecting; what makes people to just take up the path which requires so much of self giving and self interests? It's because of the inspiration that they encounter with Budha. How the each person's life if very unique in today also.
ReplyDeleteInitially when Buddha proclaimed himself as the "Arhat" the disciples were reluctant to accept the fact but later seeing his straight forwardness, they were able to accept him. His perseverance motivates me in all the work I do. The meditation that we do makes us aware of the present reality and makes us act to the situation properly. Personally, I feel the meditations makes me more aware of what I do and what I should be concerned of.
ReplyDeleteAs i learnt about Buddha's journey from the womb to tumb his various struggles in life. As a leader of the Buddhism he trained his followers to be governed self reliance, Dhamma and Vinaya and finally he died. Though his existence was not permanent but his teaching is relevant in all over the world. I see Buddha as spiritual leader, social reformer and a dinamic teacher.
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ReplyDeleteI began to realize that meditation is the only way to liberate us from our worldly passions, and desires and from our evil nature.
DeleteThe whole of Buddhism is about getting rid of samsara and attaining nirvana of self. One learns the actual reality and ultimate truth. To find this ultimate truth one has to be really determined. In this present era a person is easily distracted and loses his focus. This made me to reflect and introspect myself.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is "Self awareness leads us to find the truth.
ReplyDeleteI was taken up by Buddha's straightforwardness. I first found it quite arrogant, yet somehow his disciples did not find it like so. Maybe, meditation empowers a person to speak firmly without deception and with a sense of gentleness that does not hurt the other person. Maybe we as Jesuits can learn this from Buddha and apply a gentle under tone in our daily life's conversations.
ReplyDeleteThe Buddha's encounter with the five ascetics and his first sermon mark pivotal moments in the development of Buddhism. Initially, the Buddha had practiced extreme asceticism but realized its limitations in achieving spiritual awakening. When he delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, he introduced the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, outlining a path to liberation from suffering.
ReplyDeleteBoth Jesus and Buddha faced scepticism from people they knew. In Nazareth, Jesus was doubted despite his miracles, citing his former occupation. Buddha's ascetic companions doubted his enlightenment initially but were convinced by his teachings. Both overcame scepticism to demonstrate their spiritual authority and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteBuddha made great efforts to convince his fellow companions that he had attained the highest level of enlightenment, as he claimed. If I were one of the ascetics, I would still be skeptical. There is definitely a change in thinking pattern and attitude after enlightenment, but the question remains: "Is that all? Is that the end? Could it be that there is something more that Buddha did not know?"
ReplyDeletePhysical pain causes suffering in the mind, in my belief. Buddha accurately defined the eightfold path to end suffering, which, in his view, is essential to lead a better and happier life.
According to me, the Buddha's interaction with his former ascetic companions and his first sermon on the Noble Truths and the Five Aggregates effectively highlight the profound insights into suffering and the nature of existence, demonstrating how understanding and mindfulness are crucial in the path to enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteThe Five Monks believed that Enlightenment is attainable only through extreme mortifications and therefore left Gautama when he rejected the extreme path and chose the ‘Middle Path’. Later, Gautama attained Enlightenment and not the Five Monks who chose to follow extreme path. They strictly followed the tradition of extreme mortification not knowing whether it would help them attain the Enlightenment. Gautama was wise to go beyond that tradition and discern for himself what is helpful and needed.
ReplyDeleteBuddha's sermon tells the reality of living beings. We born, grow and die, which give suffering. He gives a solution to be free from these - meditation. Awareness of thoughts reducing suffering and lead to enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteThe Four Noble Truth gives me insight that life is marked by suffering, pain and dissatisfaction. The eight fold path leads to the end of the suffering.
ReplyDeleteFrom Buddha's sermon I came to know more about the Buddhism. I also learnt from the Buddhism that suffering is definite in every human unless and until one comes to his consciousness through the meditation. The noble truth made me think and reflect more deeply about the life and death.
ReplyDeleteThe five aggregates of attachment helped me to understand the causes of suffering in my life and to be aware of them to live a peaceful life.
ReplyDeleteThe transformative power of sincerity, perseverance, and open-mindedness in both teaching and receiving profound truths. The Buddha's first sermon emphasizes the pervasive nature of suffering and its roots in the Five Aggregates, challenging the idea of a permanent self. Understanding this fosters mindfulness, ethical living, and compassion. Vipassana meditation, by promoting non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and sensations, deepens self-awareness and emotional balance, offering a practical path toward enlightenment and inner peace. These teachings guide us toward a more mindful and compassionate life.
ReplyDeleteThe first sermon of Bhuddha makes me reflect over my life how and what kind of life I am going to live being in the formation. I find myself fully satisfied with my choice to continue the same life.
ReplyDeleteIt was not easy for Buddha to convince his first five ascetics. it is rightly said that only true can set us free. Buddha's true enlightenment brought back his ascetics to realization. It is not easy to give something to somebody unless we have sufficient enough with us.
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