Wheel Turning Day
Rejoicing in the Buddha’s first teaching, when he set the wheel of Dharma in motion.
Friday, July 24
All merit created on this day is multiplied 100,000 times.
“The essence of the Buddha’s teachings is expressed in the Four Noble Truths. By understanding them, we’ll enter the path to liberation and enlightenment.”
Ven. Thubten Chodron, Taming the Mind
In Buddha’s first teaching he described the unsatisfactory nature of our lives and the causes of our suffering.
He also explained the possibility of freedom from these sufferings and the paths to bring it about.
These Four Truths of the Aryas (Four Noble Truths) give us encouragement, hope, and inspiration.
Wheel Turning Day is a very auspicious occasion to engage in virtuous action.
The merit of every virtuous action done on this day is multiplied 100 million times.
Ways to celebrate Wheel Turning Day and create merit
- Make special offerings to the Three Jewels on your altar.
- Early Friday morning, take the 8 Mahayana precepts for 24 hours where you especially refrain from negativities and distractions from the Dharma.
- Continue your morning practice with the Meditation on the Buddha. Listen as Ven. Chodron leads an extensive guided meditation on Shakyamuni Buddha. Or follow this step-by-step guide to the Abbey community’s full morning practice.
- You can also do the beautiful and inspiring Extensive Offering Practice.
- Make time for study. Watch Ven. Chodron’s teaching on the Four Truths of the Aryas from Approaching the Buddhist Path, co-written with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
- Make offerings to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha in gratitude for the precious teachings.
- Make offerings to help those in need.
- Go here to include Sravasti Abbey in your Wheel Turning Day offerings.