History is filled of events that quietly altered the world. No pyrotechnics, no big announcements—just a man sitting beneath the Indian sky, stating the truth. One of those instances occurred when Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment. It wasn’t simply a speech. It was the start of an altogether new way of looking at life, one that continues to affect the thoughts of millions throughout the world today.
Sarnath, fifth century BCE.
Following his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Buddha did not go around proclaiming himself “The Awakened One.” For weeks, he remained mute, immersed in the depths of what he had discovered. The reality was so huge, so subtle, that he wondered if anyone could understand it. But compassion triumphed over doubt. He remembered his old companions—the five ascetics who had earlier undergone terrible austerities beside him. They had abandoned him before, believing he had given up the “true path.” But Buddha knew they were sincere in their hearts. So he proceeded to Sarnath (near present-day Varanasi) and gave his first instruction in the Deer Park. This is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which means “the setting in motion of the wheel of Dharma.”
What He Taught: The Middle Way.
The first thing Buddha accomplished was eliminate extremism. He claimed there are two lifestyles individuals frequently pursue: 1. The path of indulgence—the pursuit of pleasure, prosperity, and comfort. 2. The road of self-torture—denying one’s body, starving it, or inflicting unnecessary agony in the belief that this leads to purity. Both, he claimed, are dead ends. Instead, he proposed the Middle Way, a path of equilibrium. Not luxury, not suffering, but a consistent way of life that supports the body while awakening the intellect. This was innovative. Spirituality was no longer about excess or punishment, but about balance.
The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths, which were at the heart of his teaching, followed. If his knowledge was the medicine, then these truths were the cure.
1. The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Life isn’t always satisfying. Birth, age, illness, death, broken relationships, and unfulfilled goals all involve suffering.
2. The Truth About the Cause: Suffering stems from hunger and ignorance—our insatiable need for things to be permanent when they are not.
3. The Truth of the End: Suffering can come to an end. Nirvana—peace—is attained by letting go of longing.
4. The Truth of the Path: There is a practical means to eliminate suffering: the Eightfold Path of right perception, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. This wasn’t philosophy for the bookshelves. It was a toolset for survival.
Why it mattered
Consider the fortitude it required. During a time when rituals, sacrifices, and priestly authority were prevalent, Buddha advocated for a more straightforward approach: no reliance on gods or priests. There’s no need for pricey rituals. Simply direct practice and self-awareness. It was spirituality pared down to its essence—universal, practical, and profoundly human. It seemed like a lightening bolt to the five ascetics who were listening. They knew this was more than just another teacher lecturing on theories; it was reality they could feel in their bones. They became his first disciples, marking the start of the Sangha (community).
The turning of the wheel
In Buddhist tradition, Buddha’s first sermon is referred to as the “turning of the wheel of Dharma.” Why the wheel? Because once put in action, it continues to roll, reaching every corner of the planet. What began with five listeners in a deer park expanded throughout Asia and eventually around the world. The “wheel” represents continuity—the teaching is not static; it is constantly changing, adapting, and awakening.
Why It Still Speaks to Us.
Let’s fast forward 2,500 years. We may not live in ancient India, but the Four Noble Truths are just as powerful today. We surf incessantly via social media, seeking likes and affirmation. That is dukkha. We cling to relationships, occupations, or identities, believing they will not change. But they do. That is dukkha. We chase pleasure and then feel empty again. That is dukkha. Buddha’s message? Don’t avoid or minimize suffering; instead, comprehend it. And once you comprehend it, you can release its hold. The Eightfold Path evolves from a “holy” checklist to a living guide: live ethically, be alert, train your mind, and don’t exhaust yourself pursuing illusions.
Buddha’s first sermon was not given in a temple or recorded in a book. It was delivered outside, under the open sky, to five average seekers. That is its beauty—it was not about grandeur but about truth meeting prepared ears. The sermon emphasizes that true wisdom is not about complex ceremonies or distant heavens. It is about this life, this time, and how we deal with our own suffering. The wheel that Buddha started rolling at Sarnath has not stopped. And perhaps, with each pause, breath, and modest step toward compassion and awareness, we become a part of its turning.
