December 8, 2014

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta


The first discourse of the Buddha, "The Discourse of Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion" is one of the most important teachings of the Buddha. It was given to his first five disciples in Benaras a few weeks after he attained Enlightenment. 
In the version presented here, it is chanted in Pali, by the monks of Wat Khao Yai in Thailand, led by their abbot, the Venerable Luang Pu Uthai. It is preceded by the "Calling to the Devas" a preparatory chant that alerts the Devas and other beings seen and unseen to listen to the precious Dhamma. Luang Pu Uthai is a highly attained monastic and a revered teacher who has monasteries in central and northern Thailand and who also traveled to the United States in 2012. Images used herein are from his and other monasteries in Thailand.