Chokhor Düchen Holy Day, Buddha's First Teaching, 2023

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Friday, July 21, (All day) 2023

Seven weeks after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Shakyamuni Buddha gave his first teaching, on the Four Noble Truths, at the Deer Park in Sarnath. We celebrate this day as Chokhor Düchen. This is a Buddha holy day, when the karma from our positive actions multiplies 100 million times, according to a Vinaya text - so it's a good day to do spiritual practice, which can be as simple as showing kindness to others.

On this holy day, Geshe Gelek will lead us in lamrim meditations and Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. Geshe-la recommends that students take the Eight Mahayana Precepts, a set of eight vows kept for 24 hours.

Registration to take precepts for the first time is closed. Students who wish to take precepts for the first time may simply come to the Center at 6 am. Anyone who has previously taken precepts with a qualified master may take them at home in front of their altar or join Geshe-la and other students in person at Kadampa Center at 6:00 AM.

 

FULL SCHEDULE -- CHOKHOR DUCHEN 2023

5:45 am: Kadampa Center opens

6:00 am: Eight Mahayana Precepts, given by Geshe Gelek

Light breakfast offered by Kadampa Center following precepts

~8:30 am: Geshe-la leads Lamrim meditation and Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga

11:30 am: Lunch offered by Kadampa Center

12:00 - 6:00 pm: Kadampa Center open for personal practice

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IRegistration to take precepts for the first time is closed. Students who wish to take precepts for the first time may simply come to the Center at 6 am.

**DO NOT REGISTER if you have previously taken precepts.**

About Chokhor Düchen: 

At his first teaching, the Buddha expressed his profound realization of the nature of existence in the Four Noble Truths:

  1. The Truth of  the Nature of Suffering
  2. The Truth of the Origins or Causes of Suffering
  3. The Truth of the Cessation of, or Liberation from, Suffering
  4. The Truth of the Eight Fold Path as the means to attain ultimate happiness and freedom from suffering.

This teaching, referred to as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma, led to the formation of the Sangha, the community of disciples committed to following the Buddha's example of living simply, following the Path, and teaching the Dharma. 

Accordingly, every year at this time, the FPMT encourages its Centers to celebrate the presence of the sangha community. 

Our website includes a Sangha Support and Offerings page with valuable information, including a previous year's talk and Q&A about sangha with our director, Robbie Watkins.

Practice advice and more about Chokhor Düchen and International Sangha Day can be found HERE. 

Chokhor Düchen is a Buddha Holy Day, when the karma of our virtuous actions multiplies 100,000 times, according to a Vinaya text. Don't miss the opportunity to multiply your merit!

You can sponsor Holy Day events - amazing merit!  Click here to sponsor Chokhor Düchen

Location at Kadampa Center: 
Gompa