Guru Purnima commemorates the birth anniversary of ved Vyasa and it is also believed that on this day Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath.
On this special day, disciples offer puja to their gurus and seek their blessings. In Nepal, Guru Purnima is a national holiday and is celebrated as Teachers Day.
Five weeks after Buddha attained enlightenment, he traveled from Bodhgaya to Sarnath to meet his five friends and teach the Dharma.
Hence, the community of enlightened ones was found. The sermon Buddha gave to five of his companions was called ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’.
The main topic of this sutta is the Four Noble Truths, which refer to and express the basic orientation of Buddhism. This sutta also refers to the Buddhist concepts of the Middle way, impermanence, and dependent origination.
The festival is also believed to mark the onset of monsoons, and is thus a prime source of celebration for farmers.
The day of Guru Purnima is considered auspicious for those who are willing to give a start to spiritual learning of any kind.
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