July 21

Asalha Puja

Immerse yourself in the spiritual enlightenment of Asalha Puja, marking Buddha's first sermon and the day Buddhism was born!

Type

Day

Introduction

Experience a deep dive into 2,500 years of spiritual history as we commemorate Asalha Puja on July 21! Asalha Puja, also known as Dhamma Day, holds a special place in the heart of Buddhism, as it marks the first sermon Buddha delivered after he attained enlightenment. It is the day Buddhism took its first steps towards becoming a global religion. As we honor this momentous day in Buddhist history, we revel in the teachings of wisdom, ethics, and mental discipline, all of which continue to enlighten millions around the world. As we take this journey back in time, let us refill our spiritual reservoirs with Buddha's timeless wisdom on Asalha Puja!

Asalha Puja Timeline

563 BCE

Birth of Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become the Buddha, was born in Lumbini.

528 BCE

Buddha's Enlightenment

Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at the age of 35, gaining complete insight into the cause of suffering and how to eliminate it.

528 BCE

Buddha's First Sermon

On the full moon of Asalha, Buddha delivered his first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath to the five ascetics, which marks the start of Buddhism.

300s CE

Spread of Buddhism

Buddhism began to spread outside of India to other Asian countries, eventually becoming a global religion.

1950s

Recognition of Asalha Puja

Asalha Puja became widely recognized as a significant day in Buddhist calendar across different Buddhist traditions worldwide.

How to Celebrate Asalha Puja

1 Attend a Dharma talk

Seek out a local Buddhist temple and attend a Dharma talk in honor of Asalha Puja. For a deeper understanding, consider participating in discussions and learning more about Buddhist principles and teachings.

2 Engage in mindful meditation

Find a quiet, serene place and practice some mindful meditation. You can do this by focusing on your breath and letting go of any distracting thoughts. This is an excellent way to pay homage to Buddha's teachings on Asalha Puja.

3 Read a Buddhist script

Spend the day reading and reflecting on one of the many Buddhist scriptures or sutras. "The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta," which describes Buddha's first sermon, would be particularly fitting for Asalha Puja.

4 Participate in a candle procession

Lights have significant symbolism in Buddhism, signifying wisdom and liberation from darkness. Consider participating in a candle procession, either at your local temple or virtually through online ceremonies. This act is a beautiful representation of feeding the flame of wisdom within you.

5 Spread kindness and generosity

In keeping with the Buddha's teachings, you can make Asalha Puja meaningful by expressing kindness and generosity towards others. Spend the day doing acts of goodwill like helping a neighbor, donating to a charity, or sharing a meal with the less fortunate. This way, you will be embracing the essence of Buddhism - compassion and selflessness.

Why Asalha Puja is Important

Spiritual Reconnection

Celebrating Asalha Puja provides a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in spiritual enlightenment and reconnect with our inner peace. It serves as a reminder of the valuable teachings of Buddha, which have guided us towards wisdom, ethical living, and mental discipline.

Celebration of Buddhism's Birth

Asalha Puja marks the day Buddhism was born - celebrating this allows us to appreciate our spiritual journey and the timeless wisdom that Buddha bestowed upon us. It's a fascinating deep dive into the history of Buddhism, and the moment it took its first steps towards becoming a global religion.

Promoting Kindness & Generosity

Celebration of Asalha Puja is also a reminder to ourselves to uphold Buddhist teachings of compassion and selflessness. We are encouraged to spread kindness, practice generosity, and perform acts of goodwill, which resonates strongly with the essence of Buddhism and makes our world a better place.