Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.

1
http://dharmafarer.org 27
Dhamma,cakka Pavattana Sutta
Traditional: Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta. Short name: Dhamma,cakka Sutta
The Discourse on the Turning of the Wheel of Truth
[The Buddhas First Discourse]
(Samyutta Nikaya 56.11/5:420-424)
Translated by Piya Tan 2002, rev 2010
Intr oduction
1 The First Discourse
After the 49 day-retreat in the vicinity of the Bodhi tree, the Buddha leaves to look for the Group of
Five Monks. On the way, he meets Upaka, who has the honour of hearing the Buddhas first declaration
of awakening, but fails to fathom its significance. The Buddha continues his journey to the Deer Park at
Benares (Baranas) by stages and finally reaches Isipatana (modern Sarnath), about 7 km north of Ben-
ares.
1
As is the custom, he rests in the outskirts of Varanas and waits until morning to enter the city.
Having collected his almsfood, taken his wash and eaten his meal, he heads straight for the hermitage
where the Five Monks are.
It is said that the Buddha gives his first discourse on the night of the full moon day of salha (June-
July),
2
a festival still celebrated today amongst south-east Asian Buddhists as slha Pj. The first
Sangha that arises from this momentous discourse comprises Kondaa, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama
1
The distance the Buddha travels here should be noted: it is some 200 km from Gaya to Benares, and by road
the distance is about 250-300 km, which will take some 10 days by foot (Nakamura, 2000:241). It would not be sur-
prising if the Buddha has taught many others along the way, but what records we have of this must have been lost.
2
V 1:10 ff; S 5:420 ff.; Mvst 3:330 f; Lalv 540(416) f. The Pali names of the ancient Indian calendar follow
Vism 621 and its Tka (based on anamolis A Pali-English Glossa r y of Buddhist Technica l Ter ms, 1994), with the
Skt names (within brackets) and number of days added:
Season Sub-season Month Days Equivalent
Hemanta Maga,sira (Skt Marga,srsa) 30 Nov-Dec
Hemanta (winter) Phussa (Pusya)* 30 Dec-Jan
(cold) Sisira Magha (Magha) 30 Jan-Feb
(cool) Phagguna (Phalguna)* 30 Feb-Mar
Vasanta Citta (Caitra) 30 Mar-Apr
Gimhana (spring) Vesakha (Vaisakha) 31 Apr-May
(heat) Gimha Jettha (Jyaistha) 31 May-Jun
(summer) salha (sadha) 31 Jun-Jul
Vassana Savana (Sravana) 31 Jul-Aug
Vassana (rains) Pottha,pada (Prostha,pada)* 31 Aug-Sep
(rains) Sarada Assa,yuja (sva,yuja) 30 Sep-Oct
(autumn) Kattika (Karttika) 30 Oct-Nov
[*Pusya also called Pausa; Phalguna also called Phaggu; Prostha,pada also called Bhadra,pada.]
Note: The Indian month begins on the first day of the waning moon and ends on the full moon.
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 28
and Assaji. Since salha Puja commemorates the teaching of the first discourse, it is often known as
Dharma Day.
3
The Jtaka Commentar y and Milinda,paha mention the five teachers of the Bodhisattva, act-
ually totalling 12, since the first teacher is really the group of 8 brahmins (Rama, Dhaja, Lakkhana,
Mant, Yaa or Kondaa, Suyama, Bhoja or Subhoja, Sudatta) who examines the Bodhisattvas bodily
marks during the Nativity. The other four are Sabba,mitta, the deva who inspires the Bodhisattva to go
forth, lara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta (J 1:56; Miln 237). Kondaa is said to be the youngest of
the eight brahmins who visits the Bodhisattva at his nativity.
While seven others hold up two fingers to prophesy that the child would become either a world ruler
or, if he goes forth, a world teacher, the Buddha. Kondaa, however, holds up only one finger, certain
that the child would leave home to become the Buddha. When the Bodhisattva renounces the world,
Kondaa approaches the sons of the other seven brahmins (who have died by then) and invites them to
jointly renounce the world. Only four of them joins him and together they are known as the Group of Five
(pa ca,va ggiya) (J 1:56 f).
2 Purposes of the First Discourse
The Buddhas first discourse serves three purposes: firstly, the Buddha clears up the unfortunate
misunderstanding that has arisen between himself and his former colleagues. The discourse refutes the
constant criticism by rival sects of the alleged laxity of the Buddhist monastic rules. It also warns novices
in advance of the dangers of extremes in practice, and to keep to the middle way. In short, it deals with:
(1) The exhortation on the avoidance of the extremes of sensual indulgence and of self-mortification
[2-3];
(2) The proclamation of the middle way, i.e. the noble eightfold path [4];
(3) The statement of the four noble truths [5-12];
(4) The declaration of the Buddhas supreme awakening [13-15]; and
(5) The exultation of the devas [17-19].
(6) Kondaas attainment of the divine eye [16].
The four truths are succinctly stated in the extant early texts, but there are innumerable places in the early
Buddhist scriptures where they are explained again and again, with greater detail and in different ways.
The four noble truths are the briefest synthesis of the entire teaching of the Buddha, since all those
manifold doctrines of the Pali Canon are, without any exception, included therein. If we study the four noble
truths with the help of the various references and explanations in the early Buddhist Scriptures, we get a
fairly good and accurate account of the essential teachings of the Buddha according to the early texts.
3 The middle way
In this sutta, the middle way (majjhim patipad) is declared to be the noble eightfold path.
According to Ruper t Gethin,
what the Baranas discourse appears to do is present a kind of apologetic and polemic in one.
What is taught by the Buddha is truly a spiritual life (br a hma -ca r iy) in that it is free of vulgar
sensual indulgence, on the other hand it is distinct from what Bronkhorst
4
characterizes as the old
severely ascetic main stream meditation tradition. From the point of view of the Baranas dis-
course, this is now superseded by the new middle way. What is important about the first discourse
is the middleness of what the Buddha teaches. From this point of view, the ar iyo atthangiko
ma ggo is largely incidental to the discourse. (Gethin 2001:199)
3
Viskha Pj or Buddha Day (traditionally said to be on the fullmoon day of May) commemorates the
Buddhas nativity, awakening and parinirvana. Mgha Pja is often called Sangha Day: see Dgha,nakha S (M
74) = SD 16.1 Intro (5).
4
See Bronkhorst, The Two Tr aditions of Medita tion in Ancient India. Stuttgart, 1986.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 29
Gethin goes on to point out that the application of the expression the middle way to the avoidance of
sensual indulgence and of self-torture occurs in only four other passages. Only two of these concern the
noble eightfold path exclusively, that is, the Ar ana,vibhanga Sutta (M 139.4/3:230 f) and the Rsiya
Sutta (S 42.12.4/4:330), both of which describe the noble eightfold path as the middle way in exactly
the same terms as the Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta. The other usages of the middle way mentioned
by Gethin (2001:200 ff) includes the following:
(1) The Paipad Suttas 1 & 2 (A 3.151-152), where three ways (pa tipa d) are given: that of in-
dulgence (glh), that of burning (nijjhm), and that of the middle way (A 3.151 f/1:295-297).
(2) The Dhamma,dyda Sutta (M 3), Here, brothers, greed (lobha ) is evil, hate (dosa ) is evil.
There is the middle way for the abandonment of greed and hateIt is this very noble eightfold
path. (M 3.8/1:15)
(3) The Kaccna,gotta Sutta (S 12.15/2:17), the Acela Kassapa Sutta (S 12.17/2:20), the Aa-
tar a Br hmana Sutta (S 12.46/2:75 f) and the (Sabba) J nusson Sutta (S 12.47/ 2:76 f),
where the Buddha comments on the extremes of all exists (sa bbam a tthi) and nothing exists
(sa bbam natthi), and of eternalism (sa ssa ta ) and annihiliationism (uccheda ), and not following
either of these extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dharma by the middle (ete te ubho ante
a nupa gamma majjhena ta thga to dhamma m deseti). The middle here refers to dependent
arising (paticca samuppda).
Gethin adds that This middle would seem to be rather more significant for the subsequent development
of Buddhist thought than the specific notion of the ar iyo attha ngiko maggo as the middle way between
sensual indulgence and self-torment (Gethin 2001:200 f). AK War der , for example, points out that this
is best exemplified in Nagarjunas Mla,madhyamaka Kr ik, where dependent arising appears to re-
present the middle way par excellence.
5
In fact, the most frequently quoted and important canonical text
for Nagarjuna is apparently the Nidana Samyutta (book 12 of the Samyutta Nikaya), especially the Kac-
c(ya)na,gotta Sutta (S 12.15).
6
4 Terminology
4.1 THE LIST OF SUFFERINGS. A key passage in the Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta defines the
first truththe noble truth that is sufferingas follows:
(1) birth is suffering,
(2) decay [old age] is suffering,
[ ] [disease is suffering,]
7
(3) death is suffering,
(4) grief, lamentation, physical pain, mental pain and despair are suffering,
8
(5) to be with the unpleasant is suffering,
9
(6) to be without the pleasant is suffering,
10
(7) not to get what one desires is suffering,
(8) in short, the five aggregates of clinging
11
are suffering. [5]
5
AK Warder, Is Nagarjuna a Mahayanist? in The Pr oblem of Two Tr uths in Buddhism a nd Vednta , ed M
Sprung, Dordrecht, 1973:79, 81.
6
S 12.15/2:17 qu at S 22.90/3:134 f.
7
Only in the Vinaya & Samyutta versions; not mentioned in Comys.
8
Found in most MSS but not in Be and Ce.
9
The unpleasant, a ppiya , also tr what one loves not.
10
The loved, piya, also tr what one loves.
11
Pa cupa dna -k,kha ndha , viz, form, feeling, perception, formations and consciousness (S 3:47; Vbh 1).
What is briefly mentioned here is elaborated in the second discourse, Anatta,lakkhana S (S 22.59) = SD 1.2.
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 30
In the Chinese Mahayana texts, this list (including disease, and excluding grief, lamentation, etc) are
called the eight sufferings (a sta,duhkhath). Buddhaghosa gives the eight occasions invoking urgency
(a ttha sa mvega,va tthu), as follows: birth (jti), decay (jar), sickness (vydhi), death (mar a na ), suffering
of loss (apya,dukkha), suffering of the past rooted in the round of rebirth (a tte vatta,mla ka dukkha ),
suffering of the future rooted in the round of rebirth (angate vatta,mla ka dukkha ), and suffering of the
present rooted in the search for food (paccuppanne hra,pariyetthi,mla ka dukkha ) (Vism 4.63/135).
The Dukkha Sutta (S 38.14) categorizes suffering into 3 kinds:
(1) physical suffering, that is, affective suffering (due to physical and mental pain) (dukkha,-
dukkhat, lit the suffering of suffering),
(2) suffering due to change or temporal suffering (due to the ending of pleasant feeling) (vipa r i-
nma,dukkhat), and
(3) suffering due to formations or existential suffering, that is, the inherent inadequacy of condi-
tioned existence (sankhra,dukkhat).
12
The first is bodily pain and mental displeasure; the second is pleasant feeling, which brings suffering
when it ends, and the third is all conditioned phenomena of the three worlds
13
because they are oppressed
by the rise and fall of events. In the above list [5], the three main categories of suffering are as follows:
(1) birth, decay, disease, death, grief etc;
(2) not to be with the pleasant, to be without the pleasant; and
(3) the five aggregates.
The way to end suffering, in short (sakhittena)that is, essentiallylies in a full understanding of the
five aggregates.
14
The three kinds of suffering are explained in the Visuddhi,magga.
15
4.2 JTI AND ITS CONTEXT.
4.2.1 J TI REFERS TO REBIRTH ITSELF. In the early after-centuries, Buddhists scholastics and com-
mentators tend to interpret jti as gestation or as the process of being born it, that is, the pain which we
bear in our mothers womb up to to the moment of being born. Scholars have noted that the Sarvsti-
vdins have a propensity to interpret jti,dukkha as the suffering in a mothers womb and at birth, despite
the fact that the original concept of jti is found in Vasubandhu.
16
It is clear from the early texts, however, that jti (birth) generally refers to r ebir th itself. This is
clearly evident from two key early suttas, the Mah,satipahna Sutta (D 22) and the Samm,dihi
Sutta (M 9), thus:
And what, bhikshus, is birth?
The birth, becoming, descending (into a womb), (arising,)
17
generating, manifesting of
the aggregates, obtaining the sense-bases in various beings, in various groups of beings, here
and therethis, bhikshus, is called birth.
18
(D 22.18/2:305 = SD 13.2) = (M 9.26/1:50 = SD 14.1)
12
S 38.14/4:259; also S 45.165/5:56; D 3:216.
13
The 3 worlds are the sense world (kma,loka), the form world (rpa,loka), and the formless world (arpa,-
loka ). See The Body in Buddhism = SD 29.6a (5.2) & The Per son in Buddhism= SD 29.6b (7.2). For details, see
Via-,hiti = SD 23.14.
14
See eg Paca-k,khandha = SD 17.
15
Vism 16.34 f/499.
16
See eg Y Muroji, Tanj (saisei) no teikeihygen wo meguru bukkyto no shodensh [Various versions of
the Buddhist transmission of the formula on the birth [rebirth], Kyasan University, 110 Years Jubilee Volume,
1966:181-196; Got 2005:81-85.
17
Nibbatti, so Ke & M 3:249.
18
Y tesa m tesa m sattna m ta mhi ta mhi satta ,nikye jti sajti okka nti [nibbatti]* a bhinibbati, khandhna m
ptubhvo yatannam pa tilbho, a yam vuccati jti. *Ke & M 3:249.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 31
4.2.2 J TI JAR VYDHI MARAA. Toshifumi GOT, in his 2005 study,
19
shows that early Buddhist
conception of the four sufferingsbirth, decay [ageing], disease and deaththat is, the first four in the
list of nine sufferings, closely parallels Yjavalkyas characterization of the tman [the abiding self].
Comparing the four attributes of the tman in Yja,valkya doctrine, as found in the Bhad rayaka
Upaniad,
20
namely, aj r a (undecaying), am r a (undying), a bhya (fearless) and amta (immortal).
At a glance, these four words appear to be colourful qualifiers without any discernible difference in
meaning. In the Buddhas time (and before that), however, these words express the essential qualities of
the tman which transcends this very fear (bha ya) [the fear of death] (Got 2005:84). Indeed, such
notions as the tman or eternal soul is to overcome the fear of death, and of the after-death state, just as
the Almighty God-idea is used to overcome psychological insecurity with God serving as a protective
heavenly father.
21
Hence, the tman makes one fearless (or, unfearing, fearfree) (abhya).
According to the Bhad rayaka Upaniad, when a person attains Brahman, he becomes amta. Al-
though here amta means immortal, it does not mean that someone alive who does not die on earth (for
which the word am r a, undying is used), but that there is no more death at all. This is because punar -
mty (repeated death in a heavenly world resulting in rebirth on earth, or redeath) is transcended. In
this case, according to Upaniads, tman is absorbed into Brhman.
22
The term amra (undying),
however, is not attested anywhere in Vedic literature, except in later literature.
23
In philosophical terms, these two termsama ta (immortal, death-free) and amar a (undying)
probably reflect the way that Vedic thinkers and the early believers understood of the Buddhas realiza-
tion of nirvana. The Buddha evidently and consciously uses these terms as qualifiers of nirvana so that the
brahmins and believers of the Vedic systemhis main intended audiencecould understand his teach-
ings through conceptual familiarity. Other similar expressions include the teaching being referred to as
the door of immortality (amata,dvra).
24
Got concludes his 2005 essay by showing the correspondence between the Vedic and the Buddhist
terms, thus:
Upaniad qualifiers for tman Buddhist terms for suffering
a j r a undecaying jti birth, rebirth
a m r a undying jar ageing, decay
a bhya fearless vydhi disease
amta immortal maraa death
Here, we see how the Upanisadic adjective ajr a (undecaying) is related to the Pali noun jar (decay), by
referring to opposite qualities. Similarly, the Upanisadic amr a (undying) (used almost exclusively as an
epithet of tman) is related to the Pali maraa (death) in reflecting contrary qualities. The Upanisadic
amta (immortal) points to the opposite of the Pali jti (birth, rebirth). The Upanisadic a bhya (fearless),
however, is is replaced by the Pali vydhi (disease), a more concrete notion for our usual life (Got
2005:84). Got concludes:
The conception of life and world in early Buddhism have thus inherited the reflections on
birth and death in the old Upaniads, and further explicated them. The predominance of the
19
Yajavalkyas characterization of the tman and the four kinds of suffering in early Buddhism.
20
BAU 4.4.30-31; also BAU (Mdhyandina ed) 3.8.8, amongst other negated qualifiers of etdakram, this
imperishable one. See Got 2005:72-74.
21
On Buddhism and the God-idea, see Te,vijja S (D 13) = SD 1.8 Intro (4).
22
BAU (Mdhyandina ed) 4.4.8 f (atapatha Brhmaa 14.7.2.8 f), BAU (Kva ed) 4.4.6 f. Got 2005:75 f,
80.
23
Eg Manu,smti 2.148 = Viu,smti 30.46 (s [scil jti] ajarmar); in the meaning of god (Baudhyana-
Dharma,stra 4.8.7).
24
Mv 1.5.7/V 1:5 f = D 2:39 = M 1:168 f = S 1:137 f; It 80; Vv 1035/5.14.27. See Junko SAKAMOTO-GOT,
The prototype of the story Brahms Request, J our nal of Indian a nd Buddhist Studies 41,1 1992:471 n2. See
also CPD: amata-dvra & amata-nibbna.
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 32
pessimistic view of life in early Buddhism
25
can be explained from this historical background; it
is rooted in the negative discussions about re-dying (punar-mty) in the heavenly world since the
Brhmaa period.
The teaching of Gotama Buddha, which aims to deliver the ordinary people from their con-
crete suffering, tends to observe phenomena of human life more realistically than his forerunners
and endeavors to elucidate the causality of existence in Sasra without admitting the existence
of the eternal subject of existence, ie tman, thus resulting in the doctrine of Prattyasamupda.
(Got 2005:85)
It is thus clearly evident that the Buddha makes use of religious vocabulary that is already familiar to his
audience (especially the brahmins and believers in the Vedic system). In doing so, he easily and effective-
ly reaches out to them with his teachings.
26
4.3 SAMUDAYAAND NIRODHA. The terms samudaya [6, 10] and nir odha [7, 11] are commonly
tr respectively as origin and ending, cessation. However, from the teachings of this Sutta, which
underlies the Buddhas Teaching as a whole, they are better rendered as arising and non-arising.
Payutto makes an important note:
Generally speaking, the word cease [or end] means to do away with something which has
already arisen, or the stopping of something which has already begun. However, nirodha in the
teaching of Dependent Origination (as also in dukkha nir odha, the third of the noble truths) means
non-ar ising, or non-existence, of something because the cause of its arising is done away with.
For example, the phrase when avijj is nir odha, sankhr are also nir odha, which is usually
taken to mean, with the cessation of ignorance, volitional impulse cease, in fact means that
when there is no ignorance, or no arising of ignorance, or when there is no longer any problem
with ignorance, there is no volitional impulses, volitional impulses do not arise, or there is no
longer any problem from volitional impulses. It does not mean that ignorance already arisen
must be done away with before the volitional impulses which have already arisen will also be
done away.
Where nir odha should be rendered as cessation is when it is used in reference to the natural
way of things, or the nature of compounded things. In this sense it is a synonym for the words
bha nga (breaking up), a nicca (transient), kha ya (cessation) or vaya (decay). For example, in the
Pali it is given: imam kho bhikkhave tisso vedan aniccc sankhat paticcasamuppann khaya-
dhamm vayadhamm virgadhamm nirodhadhammBhikshus, these three kinds of feelings
are naturally impermanent, compounded, dependently arisen, transient, subject to decay, dissolu-
tion, fading and cessation [S 4:214]. (All factors occurring in the Dependent Origination cycle
have the same nature.) In this instance, the meaning is all conditioned things (sankhra), having
arisen, must inevitably decay and fade according to supporting factors. There is no need [here]
to try to stop them, they cease of themselves.
As for nir odha in the third noble truth (or the Dependent Origination cycle in cessation
mode), although it also describes a natural process, its emphasis is on practical considerations. It
is translated in two ways in the Visuddhimagga [Vism 16.18/495]. One way traces the etymology
to ni (without) + r odha (prison, confine[s], obstacle, wall, impediment), thus rendering the
meaning as without impediment, free from confinement. This is explained as free of
impediments, that is, the confinement of sa msra. Another definition traces the origin to
25
By pessimistic here, Got is evidently referring to the recurring early Buddhist statements on the universal-
ity of suffering, etc, not that the Buddha teaches a negative life-view without happiness or salvation: see Got 2005
8.
26
See Did the Buddha borrow ideas from the Upaniads? = SD 6.15 Intro (5); and Ambaha S (D 3) = SD
21.3 Intro (3).
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 33
anuppda, meaning not ar ising, [and goes on to say nir odha here does not mean bhanga,
breaking up and dissolution.]
27
Therefore, translating nir odha as cessation, although not entirely wrong, is nevertheless not
entirely accurate. On the other hand, there is no other word which comes so close to the essential
meaning as cessation. However, we should understand what is meant by the term.
(Payutto 1994:106-108; slightly edited with emphases added)
5 The nature of the truths
5.1 PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF REALITY. The details of the Buddhas spiritual experience in terms
of the four noble truths are recounted in such suttas as the Bhaya,bher ava Sutta (M 4)
28
and the Mah
Saccaka Sutta (M 36).
29
These truths are first expounded to the world at Benares (Sacca Vibhanga
Sutta, M 141)
30
and taught throughout his 45-year ministry as the teaching special to the Buddhas (M
56).
31
Both the Tath Sutta 1 (S 56.20) and the Tath Sutta 2 (S 56.27) declare that the four noble
truths are true, not false, not otherwise,
32
but the latter adds: therefore, they are called noble truths.
33
The noble truths are concisely presented in such texts as the Samm Ditthi Sutta (M 9),
34
and in
detail in the Sacca Vibhanga Sutta (M 141). Sriputtas unique presentation is recorded in the Mah
Hatthi,padpama Sutta (M 28),
35
where it is stated that just as the footprint of any living being that
walks can be placed within an elephants footprint, and so the elephants footprint is declared to be the
foremost of them, even so, all wholesome states can be included in the four noble truths (M 28).
The Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta fully and clearly explains the functions of each of the four
noble truths, thus:
(1) The first noble truththat is, sufferingis to be under stood. [9]
(2) The second noble truththat is, the arising of sufferingis to be aba ndoned. [10]
(3) The third noble truththat is, the ending of suffering (nirvana)is to be r ealized. [11]
(4) The fourth noble truththat is, the way to the ending of sufferingis to be cultivated. [12]
The Sutta is also unique in presenting the three phases (ti,par ivatta) of each of the truths, namely:
(1) the knowledge (ie, understanding) of the truth (sacca ,na),
(2) the knowledge of the task to be done regarding each truth (kicca,na), and
(3) the knowledge of the accomplishment of these tasks (kata,na ).
When these three phases are applied to each of the four truths, they total as the twelve aspects or modes
(dvdaskr a). The Commentarial version of these three phases are called the three true teachings
(sa ddhamma), viz, the True Dharma as theory (textual aspect) (par iya tti sa ddhamma ), the True Dharma
as practice (pa tipa tti saddhamma ), and the True Dharma as realization (pativedha saddhamma).
36
5.2 TRUTH AND REALITY. In doctrinal terms, it is the four noble truths that the Buddha realizes on
his awakening. I have translated a r iya,sa cca as the noble truth tha t is rather than the more familiar
the noble truth of because they are not merely theoretical statements, such as the theory of relativ-
ity (which refers to an impersonal observation). But the noble truths are hea ling tr uths. Above all, the
fourth noble truth is that of the way out of suffering, that is, the path that leads to spiritual liberation.
This approach is supported by the difficulties resulting from taking these four realities as truths of,
as made clear in this observation by Analayo:
27
I have been unable to trace this bracketed reading in the Visuddhi,magga.
28
M 4.31/1:23.
29
M 36.42/1:249 = SD 1.11.
30
M 141.2/3:248.
31
M 56.18/1:380.
32
Imni kho bhikkhave cattri ariya,saccni tathni avitathni anaathni, S 56.20/5:430 f = S 56.27/5:435.
33
Tath S 1: Tasm ariya,saccn ti vuccanti (S 56.27/5:435).
34
M 9.14-18/1:48 f.
35
M 28/1:184-191.
36
VA 225; AA 5.33; cf Nm 143 where the first two are listed.
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 34
A closer examination of the Pli version of this first discourse brings to light a curiosity, as
the discourse presents the second noble truth of the origin of dukkha as something that needs to
be abandoned.
37
Yet what needs to be abandoned is the origin of dukkha, not the noble truth itself.
Hence in this case it would seem possible that not only the qualification noble, but the whole
expression noble truth may not have been part of the earliest version of this statement.
(Analayo, A Comparative Study of the Majjhima Nikya, draft, 2006, ad M 3:348)
38
For the phrase, tam kho panidam dukkha,samudayam a r iya,saccam pahtabbam,
39
Bodhi renders it
as this noble truth of the origin of suffering is to be abandoned (S:B 1845). Woodwar d has earlier on
noted, but we must omit ar iya-saccam, otherwise the text would mean the Ariyan truth about the aris-
ing of Ill is to be put away (S:W 5:358 n1). Nor man adds that
what the Buddha said was that pain should be known, its origin given up, its cessation realized,
and the path to its cessation practised. Woodward therefore did not go far enough. He should have
suggested the removal of the word ar iya-saccam from all four items in the gerundival set.
(Norman 1982:385)
Early Buddhism is a spiritual path to healing, awakening and liberation. In other words, it is a practi-
cal system where we seek to directly discover reality, to which the Buddha himself has awakened. As
reality can only be a personal experience, its expression speech or words is called a truth. The fourfold
statement of the Buddhas direct experience of reality is called the four noble tr uths, which is at best a
theoretical statement pointing to the realities of suffering, its arising, its ending and the way to its end-
ing. The truths are simply signboa r ds; it is the fourfold reality that we have to work with. No matter
how well defined the terminology may be, it is still not the experience. The name is not the thing named.
For one who has experienced true reality, there is no need of words for it.
6 Mastery of the four noble truths
6.1 THE 3 TYPES OF SUFFERING. The Dukkha Sutta (S 38.14) categorizes suffering into three kinds:
(1) affective suffering (due to physical and mental pain) (dukkha,dukkhat, lit the suffering of
suffering),
(2) temporal suffering or suffering due to change (ie due to the ending of pleasant feeling)
(viparima,dukkhat), and
(3) existential suffering or suffering due to formations, in the inherent inadequacy in conditioned
existence (sakhra,dukkhat). (S 38.14/4:259; also S 45.165/5:56; D
3:216)
Here, (1) Affective suffering is bodily suffering and mental suffering, or more simply, ordinary suffer-
ing, corresponding to neurotic conflict between impulse and prohibition with a stable self-structure and
whole-object relations,
40
as well as to ordinary human unhappiness, which Freud once said was the ex-
change for resolution of neurotic suffering.
41
(2) Suffering caused by change is pleasant feeling, which brings suffering when it ends, corres-
ponding to the borderline condition and the functional psychoses, when disturbance in the sense of self-
continuity, fluctuating drives and affects, contradictory and dissociated ego states, lack of a stable self-
structure, and lack of constant relations with the object world are the core problem (ib). At this stage of
37
Tam kho pa nida m dukkha ,samuda ya m ar iya ,sa cca m pahtabbam (S 56.11/5:422,12).
38
See also his important fn there.
39
S 56.11/5:422,12.
40
In simple terms, object relation refers to how we relate to others.
41
Jack Engler 1984:44.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 35
personality development, prior to individuation
42
and stability in object relation, change is the deepest and
most pervasive threat to the fragile self. Every experience of separation or loss we experience threatens
the reality and integrity of our notion of self, a notion that still depends on perceiving some immediate
presence and benefit of external objects.
(3) The suffering of conditionality is related to all conditioned phenomena of the three worlds
43
be-
cause they are oppressed by the rise and fall of all phenomena. To the western and westernized mind, this
is an entirely new category of psychopathology. At this level, object-seeking as such is experienced as
pathogenic, contradictory as that may sound in terms of normal developmental theory.
44
The very
attempt to connect a self and objects that shows some constancy and continuity
45
becomes as a therapeutic
problem. In other words, if we try to see or seek any succour or stability in five aggregates,
46
we would
simply be disappointed, to say the least.
The key goals of object relations development are identity and object constancy, that is, a healthy
sense of self and wholesome relationship with externals (people and things). Under normal circumstan-
ces, we are likely to be fixated to an idea (about ourselves or others) and personal development is
basically stagnant. Nor malcy, in other words, is a state of arrested development: the worldling is as if mad
(ummatta ko viya hi puthujja no, MA1:25). Moreover, it can be viewed as a pathological condition insofar
as it is based on faulty reality testing, inadequate neutralization of the drives, lack of impulse control, and
incomplete integration of the self and the object world.
47
In simple terms, we are mentally undeveloped, even unhealthy, if we fail to relate wholesomely to the
external world, or we fail to understand and appreciate our strengths and limitations in relating to others
and to things, or we lack adequate self-control, or we fail to feel a sense of harmony between ourselves
and our environment.
The Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta (S 56.11) defines and summarizes the first noble truth as
follows:
Now this, bhikshus, is the noble tr uth that is suffer ing:
birth is suffering,
decay
48
is suffering,
[disease is suffering],
49
death is suffering;
grief, lamentation, physical pain, mental pain and despair are suffering;
50
to be with the unpleasant
51
is suffering;
to be without the pleasant
52
is suffering;
not to get what one desires is suffering,
in short, the five aggregates of clinging
53
are suffering. (S 56.11/5:421 = SD 1.1)
42
On a simple level, individuation refers to a healthy emotional evolution into a mature person, and on a higher
level, to the attainment of streamwinning: see see Individuation = SD 8.7.
43
The 3 worlds are the sense world, the form world and the formless world: see The Body in Buddhism = SD
29.6a (5.2).
44
Jack Engler 1984:44.
45
Joseph D Lichtenberg, The development of the sense of self, Journal of American Psychoanalytic Associa-
tion 23,3 1975:453-484.
46
See SD 17.
47
Jack Engler 1984:44.
48
J a r , old age, aging.
49
Only in the Vinaya & Samyutta versions; not mentioned in Comys.
50
Found in most MSS but not in Be and Ce.
51
The unpleasant, appiya , also tr what one loves not.
52
The loved, piya, also tr what one loves.
53
Pa cupa dna -k,kha ndha , namely, form, feeling, perception, formations and consciousness (S 3:47; Vbh 1).
What is briefly mentioned here is elaborated in the second discourse, Anatta,lakkhana S (S 22.59) = SD 1.2
(2003). On the five aggregates (pa ca-k,kha ndha ), see SD 17.
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 36
In this list, the categories of suffering are as follows:
(1) affective suffering: birth, decay, disease, death, grief etc;
(2) temporal suffering: not to be with the pleasant, to be without the pleasant;
(3) existential suffering: the 5 aggregates.
These three kinds of suffering are elaborated in the Visuddhi,magga (Vism 16.34 f/499).
54
6.2 THE THREE PHASES AND TWELVE ASPECTS. The Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta makes a uni-
que declaration: that the Buddhas mastery of the four noble truths comprises three phases (ti,pa r iva tta)
and twelve aspects (dvdaskr a ) [9-12]. The three phases (ti,pa r ivatta) are:
(1) the knowledge of each truth (sacca,na ),
(2) the knowledge of the task to be done regarding each truth (kicca,na ), and
(3) the knowledge of the accomplishment of these tasks (kata,na ).
These three phases of each of the four truths total up as their twelve aspects (dvdaskr a ). The Com-
mentarial version of these three phases are called the threefold True Teachings (sa ddhamma), namely,
sacca,na : the True Teaching as theory (textual aspect) (pa r iya tti sa ddhamma ),
kicca,na: the True Teaching as practice (pa tipa tti saddhamma), and
ka ta,na : the True Teaching as realization (pativedha saddhamma ).
(VA 225; AA 5.33; cf Nm 143 where the first two are listed)
7 Versions of the Sutta
In 1938, N Aiyaswami Sastri examined 11 texts considered to be versions of the Buddhas first dis-
course.
55
NJ Smith of Australia, in his Internet paper entitled The 17 versions of the Buddhas first dis-
course (2001),
56
made a list of the 17 versions, giving each of them a code, their references and the
approximate date of each (if known):
57
The Pli versions (P), which were written down about 500 years after the Buddha, that is,
around the first century BCE, are:
Pali1, Pali2 Sutta (Discourse): S 5:420-435.
Pali3 Vinaya (Discipline): V 1:10.
The Chinese ver sions (Chin) with translation dates are:
Sutta:
Chin1 T109 (T2.503b-c, 2nd cent CE),
Chin2 T99.379 (T2.103c-104a, 5th cent CE) = SA 379,
Chin3 T110 (T2.504a-b, 8th cent CE) and
Chin6 T125.19.2 (T2.593b-c, 4th cent CE) = E 19.2.
Vinaya:
Chin4 T428 (T22.788-9, 5th cent CE) and
Chin5 T1421 (T22.104-5, 5th cent CE).
The Sanskr it ver sions (Skt):
Skt1 Mahvastu 3:330-335, S2 (late 2nd cent BCE according to Peter Harvey,
1992:89),
58
Skt2 Lalita,vistara 540 (416-8), (between 200 BCE and 200 CE ibid p15), and
54
Further see n at 5 below. On the relationship between suffering and feeling (vedan), see SD 17.3.
55
The first sermon of the Buddha. New India n Antiquar y 1,8 Nov 1938:473-492.
56
Last revised 11 Dec 2002. http://www.bigfoot.com/~josmith.1/buddhism/budaword/from chinese/index.html.
57
Here slightly edited.
58
P Harvey, An Intr oduction to Buddhism, Tea chings, Histor y a nd Pr a ctices, UK: Cambridge University Press,
1992.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 37
Skt3 Raniero Gnoli
59
who dates the characters to the 6th-7th century (1977: xiii, 134-
139). N Dutt
60
dates the Gupta script of this text as from the 6th century CE
(1984: i).
The Tibetan ver sions (Tib). The dates of the translation of the Tibetan texts from the San-
skrit are generally accepted as 8
th
century CE, that is, not long after the great debate whether to
follow Chinese or Indian Buddhism. According to Aiyaswami Sastri (1938:476) from the Nar-
thang edition of the Kanjur (bKah hGyur):
Sutra:
Tib1 mDo xxvi 88-91,
Tib2 mDo xxvi 431-4, and
Tib3 mDo xxx 427-32 (believed to be translated from the Pali).
Vinaya:
Tib4 Dulva iv ff 64-7, and
Tib5 Dulva xi 69-72.
Beijing ed (tani repr, Tokyo, 1956)
61
P747 P21.259
P1003 P39.1
Aiyaswami Sastri (1938:475) points out that some of the Tibetan Sutra and Vinaya texts are nearly
identical and correspond as follows: Tib1 = Tib4 and Tib2 = Tib5. This is also the case with the Pali
versions: Pali1 = Pali3. It is probable that the Sutra texts in these cases were just replications of the Vina-
ya texts.
62
In this case, there would be only two versions in Pali and three in Tibetan and the total would
actually come to 14 distinct versions.
The details of the main sections of the sutta are given here according to Pali1:
Section 1 The two extremes and the middle path:
The two extremes to be avoided are self-indulgence and self-mortification.
The middle way, which avoids the two extremes, is the noble eightfold path.
Section 2 The second delivery of the discourse
Section 3 Definition of the four noble truths
Section 4 The twelve aspects:
The four noble truths are considered in three phases, a statement of what they are in
theory, their practice, and their attainment or realization.
Section 5 The Buddhas declaration of his awakening:
It is only after having realized the twelve aspects as they really are that Siddhattha
claimed full awakening (become Buddha).
Section 6 Kondaas realization of the Dharma-eye.
Section 7 Prefixing of Kondaas name to A Kondaa (Kondaa who knows).
Section 8 The gods exultation at hearing the discourse.
Section 9 Naming the discourse.
Section 10 Realization of the Dharma-eye.
59
R Gnoli, The Gilgit Manuscr ipt of the Sa ngha bheda va stu Part 1. 2 vols 1977-78. Rome: IsMEO, 1977:134-9.
60
Dutt N, Gilgit Ma nuscr ipts vol 3 pt 2, 2
nd
ed, 1984, Sri Satguru Publications, India.
61
Citations which follow given as P Stra no, followed by P Vol.Page.
62
Being an oral tradition originally, it is probable that the story of the Buddha was told chronologically, as a
story. This can be seen in the Vinaya texts and the later Mahparinibbna Sutta. Only later would the discourses
(suttas) have been extracted and grouped according to various categories, probably first topically (as in the Samyutta
Nikya) and then later by number of items [or topics] (as in the Anguttara Nikya). (NJ Smith)
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 38
Smith collates the 17 versions into these 8 classes:
1. Pali2
2. Skt3
3. Tib2 (=Tib5) and Chin3
4. Chin2
5. Pali1 (=Pali3), Tib3, Skt1, Skt2, Chin1, Chin5
6. Chin4
7. Tib1 (=Tib4)
8. Chin6.
As can be seen, Class 5 is the class with texts from each language source. Pali2 is the other Pali text
and Chin6 is the other Chinese text that Smith regards as variants and they each form a class of their own.
These are the only two texts in our corpus that have only one section.
8 The age of the Sutta
The first three discourses traditionally believed to be have been delivered by the Buddha are the
Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta (S 56.11), the Anatta,lakkhana Sutta (S 22.59) and the ditta,-
pariyya Sutta (S 38.28). They are not only historically related, but flow coherently into one another in
this sequence. The first discourse is a systematic statement of the Buddhas discovery of suffering and its
ending, and what is merely mentioned, in short, the five aggregates of clinging
63
are suffering [5], is
elaborated in the second discourse, the Anatta,lakkhana Sutta (S 22.59),
64
that is, the aggregates are
explained in full. In the third discourse, the ditta,pariyya Sutta (S 35.28),
65
the focus shifts to the
all (sa bba ), that is, the six sense-bases, a teaching specifically given in the Sabba Sutta (S 35.23).
66
The very first discourse of the Buddha as recorded in the account of his public ministry in the Vina-
ya (V 1:10-12), however, appears to be a later account. The Samyutta account,
67
the 11
th
sutta of the
Sacca Samyutta (Connected Discourses on the Truths), is the older one. In both cases, however, the title
is not as we know it today. The Sanskrit version is found in the Lalita,vistar a (Lalv 540.426 f) and the
Mahavastu (Mvst 3:330 f).
The title Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta appears only in the Commentaries (eg J 1:92, DA 1:2,
etc). In other versions, such as the PTS edition, the title is given as Tathga tena vutt (spoken by the
Tathagata). Sujato, in his general integrated sutta theory (GIST),
68
notes:
This is, on the face of it, a bit odd, for most of the discourses are, of course, attributed to the
Buddha. However, the terms Spoken by the Buddha and Spoken by the Disciples occur in the
Chinese recensions. Perhaps the label tathgatena vutt referred originally, not to the Dhamma-
cakkappavattana Sutta specifically, but to a section within a collection of discourses that consist-
ed purely of teachings given directly by the Buddha himself. (Sujato, 2004:38)
In his footnote, Sujato says that this line of reasoning suggested itself independently to both Rod
Bucknell and myself (2004:77 n11).
The sutta is analyzed in the Sacca,vibhanga Sutta (M 141) and the Vibhanga (Vbh 99-105). It is
also commented on in the Visuddhi,magga (Vism 16.32-83) and the Sammoha,vinodan (VbhA 93-
122). Rewatadhamma, a Burmese monk who lived in Britain, has written a detailed study of this text
based on its commentaries, entitled The Fir st Discour se of the Buddha.
63
See above here.
64
SD 1.2.
65
SD 1.3.
66
SD 7.1.
67
S 56.11/5:420-424.
68
See The GIST, 2004:37 f.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 39
The importance of this Sutta is attested by the numerous versions of it in various Buddhist canons. A
list of 17 versions of it are listed above [6].
A short discourse, the Rsiya Sutta (S 42.12.4-5), records the Buddhas teaching to Rasiya the head-
man is practically identical to the opening section of the Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta [3-4],
that is, the avoiding of the two extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification for the middle way, and
the noble eightfold path. At the end of the long anthology of teachings given to Rasiya, he takes refuge in
the Three Jewels without any mention of his attainment (S 42.12.4-5/4:330 f).
Most usefully, it should be noted that the first three suttasthe Dhamma,cakka-p,pavattana Sutta, the
Anatta,lakkhana Sutta (S 22.59) and the ditta,pariyya Sutta (S 35.28)are not only closely related
but flow coherently in that sequence. The first discourse is a statement of the Buddhas discovery of suf-
fering and its ending,
69
and what is merely mentioned, in short, the five aggregates of clinging
70
are suf-
fering [5], is elaborated in the second discourse, the Anatta,lakkhana Sutta (S 22.59),
71
where the five
aggregates are given in detail. In the third discourse, the ditta,pariyya Sutta (S 35.28),
72
the focus
shifts to the all, that is, the six sense-bases, a teaching specifically given in the Sabba Sutta (S 35.-
23).
73
9 The five monks
According to the Mahsaka Vinaya, the Sangha,bheda,vastu and its Tibetan counterpart in the
Dulva (Tibetan Vinaya), the five monksKondaa, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assajiare the
Bodhisattvas former companions, who have been sent by the Buddhas father to look after him.
74
Ac-
cording to the Ekottara gama, the five monks have even followed him since the time of his birth,
75
which further associates them with the Buddhas family and native country.
The Ariyapariyesana Sutta Commentary similarly associates the five monks with the Buddhas home
country, reporting that in his early youth, Kondaa is one of the brahmins who predict the child Siddhat-
thas future spiritual career at his birth, but the other four of this group of five monks are the sons of the
other sooth-saying brahmins at the Buddhas naming ceremony just after his birth (MA 2:87).
According to the Lalita,vistar a, however, they are Uddaka Ramaputtas disciples who have witness-
ed how the Bodhisattva quickly achieved what they have been seeking for a long time.
76
The fact that he
however does not rest satisfied with this achievement motivates them to leave Uddaka and follow the
Bodhisattva. Analayo, in his comparative of the Ar iya,par iyesan Sutta, adds that
The Lalitavistaras presentation seems more convincing, since if the five had been ordered to
attend on the Bodhisattva, one would not expect them to abandon their mission once the Bodhi-
sattva decided to stop his self-mortifications. If however they had followed him on their own
accord and in the hope to benefit from his realizations, the decision to leave him once he had
(from their perspective) given up striving becomes understandable. (2005:7)
77

69
Anurdha S (S 22.86/119) = SD 21.13.
70
Pa cupa dna -k,kha ndha , namely, form, feeling, perception, formations and consciousness (S 3:47 Vbh 1):
see SD 17. What is briefly mentioned here is elaborated in the second discourse, Anatta,lakkhana S (S 22.59) = SD
1.2 (2003).
71
See SD 1.2.
72
See SD 1.3.
73
See SD 7.1.
74
T1421 = T22.104a19, tr Bareau 1963:146; Gnoli 1977:99; and a tr of Tibetan Dulva in Rockhill 1907:28.
75
E 24.5 = T2.618b14, tr Bareau 1988:79.
76
Lefmann 1902; Foucaux 1884:212.
77
See Ariya,pariyesan S (M 26.26-30/1:171-173) = SD 1.11 Intro (6).
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 40
The Discourse on
the Turning of the Wheel of Truth
Or, The First Discourse
(S 56.11/5:420-424)
[420] Spoken by the Tathagata.
78
1 [Thus have I heard.]
79
At one time, the Blessed One was staying in the Deer Park at Isipatana near Benares. [421]
The two extremes
2 There the Blessed One addressed the company of five monks thus:
Bhikshus, there are these two extremes to be avoided by one who has gone forth. What are the two?
3 (1) The devotion to sensual pleasuresit is low, vulgar, worldly, ignoble, not connected with the
goal [unprofitable], and
(2) the devotion to self-mortificationit is painful, ignoble, not connected with the goal [unpro-
fitable].
80
Bhikshus, without turning to either of these extremes, there is the middle way awakened to by the
Tathagata [Thus Come], that gives rise to vision, to knowledge, to peace, to direct knowledge, to self-
awakening, to nirvana.
81
The middle way
4 And what, bhikshus, is that middle way awakened to by the Tathagata, that gives rise to vision, to
knowledge, to peace, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to nirvana?
It is this noble eightfold path,
82
that is to say,
(1) right view,
(2) right thought,
(3) right speech,
(4) right action,
(5) right livelihood,
(6) right effort,
(7) right mindfulness,
(8) right concentration.
This, bhikshus, is that middle way awakened to by the Tathagata, that gives rise to vision, to know-
ledge, to peace, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to nirvana.
78
Tathgatena vutt. PTS ed has this title. See Intro (1) above.
79
Most MSS omit. The PTS ed has Tathgatena vutt, spoken by the One Thus Come as title. See prev n.
80
Note that while the devotion to sensual pleasures (kma,sukhalliknuyoga) is described as being low,
vulgar, worldly, ignoble, not connected with the goal [unprofitable], (hno gammo puthujjaniko anariyo anattha,-
sahito), the devotion to self-mortification (atta ,kila math nuyoga ) is said to be only painful, ignoble, not con-
nected with the goal [unprofitable] (dukkho anariyo anattha,sahito). This is because despite being painful, self-
mortification, with some moral virtue, can bring about a divine afterlife; but such a goal is still ignoble, not con-
nected with the goal [unprofitable], because we are still caught up in samsara, and not liberated from suffering. See
The Body in Buddhism = SD 29.6a (4.1).
81
See Ar ana,vibhanga S (M 139.3/2:230 = SD 7.8), where the statement is made in an exhortative tone.
82
For a def and details of the 8 limbs of the eightfold path, see Sacca Vibhaga S (M 141.23-31/3:250-252) =
SD 11.11; Mah Satipatthna S (D 22.21/2:311-313) = SD 13.2; also Mah Cattrsaka S (M 117/3:71-78) = SD
6.10. See also Gethin 2001:190-226 (ch 6) for an insightful study.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 41
The four noble truths
83
5 (i) Now this, bhikshus, is the noble tr uth [r eality] that is suffer ing:
84
(1) birth is suffering;
85
(2) decay
86
is suffering;
(3) disease is suffering;
87
(4) death is suffering;
[ grief, lamentation, physical pain,
mental pain and despair are suffering];
88
(5) to be with the unpleasant
89
is suffering;
(6) to be without the pleasant
90
is suffering;
(7) not to get what one desires is suffering,
(8) in short, the five aggregates of clinging
91
are suffering.
6 (ii) Now this, bhikshus, is the noble tr uth [r eality] that is the ar ising of suffer ing:
92
it is this
craving that leads to renewed existence [rebirth], accompanied by pleasure and lust, seeking pleasure here
and there; that is,
93
(1) craving for sensual pleasures,
(2) craving for existence,
(3) craving for non-existence [extinction].
7 (iii) Now this, bhikshus, is the noble tr uth [r eality] that is the ending of suffer ing:
94
it is the
utter fading away and ending of that very craving, giving it up, letting it go, being free from it, being
detached from it.
83
On a theory that the four noble truths were originally not part of this sutta, see Bronkhorst, The Two Tr a di-
tions in Meditation in Ancient India, 1993:106-111.
84
See Intro (4.1).
85
In the early after-centuries, commentators tend to interpret jti as gestation or as the process of being born it,
but it is clear from the early texts that it generally refers to r ebir th itself. See Intro (4.2).
86
J a r , incl old age, aging.
87
Vydhi pi dukkh: Only in the Vinaya & Samyutta versions; not mentioned in Comys. Vism Comy: Disease
is omitted here [eg D 22.18/2:305; S 56.11.5/5:421, etc] because no individual is meant, and there are persons in
whom disease does not arise at all, such as the venerable Bakkula [M 124]. Otherwise, it may be taken as included
in suffering itself. For, in the ultimate sense, disease is bodily pain conditioned by the imbalance of the elements
(VismA 527). This is a common characteristic in later literature: see M Hara, Shku, Butsu no Kenky Dr Kshi-
r Tamaki Felicitation Volume, Tokyo, 1977:667-683; A note on the Buddhas birth story, India nisme et Boud-
dhisme, Mlanges offerts Mgr tienne Lamotte, 1980:143-157.
88
Soka,parideva,dukkha,domanassupys pi dukkh, Found in Ee Se (esp in daily chant) and other MSS but
not in Be and Ce. This addition is prob late, as it is not found in the Chinese versions. The Chinese often speak of
the eight sufferings (bk), which refers to the 8 as numbered above.
89
The unpleasant, appiya , also tr what one loves not.
90
The loved, piya, also tr what one loves.
91
Pa cupa dna -k,kha ndha , viz, form, feeling, perception, formations and consciousness (S 3:47; Vbh 1).
What is briefly mentioned here is elaborated in the second discourse, Anatta,lakkhana S (S 22.59) = SD 1.2.
92
On the translation of this term, see Intro (4.3).
93
Comy to Bhra S (S 22.22 = SD 17.14): Seeking delight here and there (tatra,tatrbhinandin) means hav-
ing the habit of seeking delight in the place of rebirth or among the various objects, such as forms. Cr aving for
sense-pleasur es (kma,tanh) means lust for the five cords of sense-pleasures. Lust for form-sphere existence or
formless-sphere existence, attachment to dhyana, and lust accompanied by the eternalist view: this is called cr av-
ing for existence (bha va ,ta nh). Lust accompanied by the annihilationist view is craving for annihilation [ex-
termination] (vibha va ,ta nh). (SA 2:264). Bodhi: This explanation of the last two kinds of craving seems to me
too narrow. More likely, craving for existence should be understood as the principal desire to continue in existence
(whether supported by a view or not), craving for extermination as the desire for a complete end to existence, based
on an underlying assumption (not necessarily formulated as a view) that such extermination brings an end to a real
I. (S:B 1052 n38)
94
On the tr of this term, see Intro (4.3).
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 42
8 (iv) Now this, bhikshus, is the noble tr uth [r eality] that is the path leading to the ending of
suffer ing: [422] it is this noble eightfold path, that is to say, right view, right thought, right speech, right
action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
The three phases and twelve aspects
95
9 (1) THAT WHICH SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD
(a) This is the noble tr uth that is suffer ingthus, bhikshus, with regard to things unheard of be-
fore,
96
in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose wisdom, there arose insight,
there arose light.
97
(b) This noble truth that is suffering
98
is to be fully under stoodthus, bhikshus, with regard to
things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose wisdom,
there arose insight, there arose light.
(c) This noble truth that is suffering has been fully under stoodthus, bhikshus, with regard to
things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose wisdom,
there arose insight, there arose light.
10 (2) THAT WHICH SHOULD BE ABANDONED
(a) This is the noble tr uth that is the a r ising of suffer ingthus, bhikshus, with regard to things
unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose wisdom, there
arose insight, there arose light.
(b) This noble truth that is the arising of suffering
99
should be a ba ndonedthus, bhikshus, with
regard to things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose
wisdom, there arose insight, there arose light.
(c) This noble truth that is the arising of suffering ha s been aba ndonedthus, bhikshus, with regard
to things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose wis-
dom, there arose insight, there arose light.
11 (3) THAT WHICH SHOULD BE REALIZED
(a) This is the noble tr uth that is the ending of suffer ingthus, bhikshus, with regard to things
unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose wisdom, there
arose insight, there arose light.
(b) This noble truth that is the ending of suffering should be r ealized
100
thus, bhikshus, with
regard to things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose
wisdom, there arose insight, there arose light.
(c) This noble truth that is the ending of suffering ha s been r ealizedthus, bhikshus, with regard to
things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose wisdom,
there arose insight, there arose light.
95
The 3 phases (ti,par iva tta ): see Intro 6.2 above.
96
Things unheard of before, ana nussutesu dha mmesu. The Ghatikr a S (M 81) says that our Bodhisattva (as
Jotipala) had been Kassapa Buddhas disciple, who mastered all his teachings (M 81.6/2:46, 81.3/2:54). Our Bud-
dha, using his power of recollecting past lives, would be able to know his past birth as Jotipalawhich would make
it problematic for the Buddha to declare that his awakening is an insight into things unheard of before (Dhamma,-
cakka-p,pavattana S, S 56.11.9-12/5:422- f; V 1:10-12 = SD 1.1). Apparently, this statement on things unheard of
before refers to the fact that the liberating Dharmas have been forgotten in India up to the Buddhas time. Kath,-
vatthu (Kvu 4.8/286) discusses the question of how far the Buddha does not have a teacher (Ar iya,par iyesan S, M
26.25/1:170 = SD 1.11) when, as a Bodhisattva (named Jotipala) he had been Kassapa Buddhas disciple, and how
far the Buddhas awakening is an insight into things unheard of before. See also Comy ad loc (KvuA 78). See
Analayo on M 81, 2005:8.
97
Ida m dukkha m a r iya,sa cca n ti me bhikkha ve pubbe ana nussutesu dha mmesu ca kkhum udapdi na m uda-
pdi pa uda pdi vijj udapdi loko uda pdi.
98
It is the suffering rather than the truth that is to be understood. See Norman 1982:377-391.
99
It is the arising rather than the truth that is to be abandoned. See Norman id.
100
It is the ending rather than the truth that is to be realized. See Norman id.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 43
12 (4) THAT WHICH SHOULD BE CULTIVATED
(a) This is the noble tr uth tha t is the path
101
leading to the ending of suffer ingthus, bhikshus, with
regard to things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose knowledge, there arose
wisdom, there arose insight, there arose light.
(b) This noble truth that is the path leading to the ending of suffering should be cultivatedthus,
bhikshus, with regard to things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose know-
ledge, there arose wisdom, there arose insight, there arose light.
(c) This noble truth that is the path leading to the ending of suffering ha s been cultivatedthus,
bhikshus, with regard to things unheard of before, in me there arose vision [the eye], there arose know-
ledge, there arose wisdom, there arose insight, there arose light.
The supreme awakening
13 So long, bhikshus, as my knowledge and vision of these four noble truths as they really are in
their three phases and twelve aspects are not thoroughly purified in this way, [423] I did not claim to have
awakened to the incomparable full awakening in this world with its gods, its Maras [evil ones], and its
Brahmas [High Gods], this generation with its recluses and brahmins, its rulers
102
and people.
14 But when my knowledge and vision of these four noble truths as they really are in their three
phases and twelve aspects are thoroughly purified in this way, then I claim to have awakened to the in-
comparable full awakening in this wor ld.
The knowledge and vision arose in me:
Unshakable is my liberation (of the mind). This is my last birth. Now there is no more rebirth (for
me)!
15 The Blessed One said this. The monks joyfully approved of the Blessed Ones word.
Kondaa
16 And while this discourse was being spoken, there arose in the venerable Kondaa the dust-free,
stainless Dharma eye
103
that Whatever is of the nature to arise is also of the nature to cease.
104
The heavens exult
17 And when the Wheel of Truth [Dharmacakra] had been set in motion by the Blessed One, the
earth-bound devas exulted:
In the Deer Park at Isipatana near Benares, the Blessed One has set in motion the unsurpassed
Wheel of Truth that cannot be stopped by any recluse or brahmin or deva or Mara or Brahma or by any-
one in the world.
18 Having heard the cry of the earth-bound devas, the devas of the four Great Kings
the devas of realm of the Thirty-three
the Yama devas
101
It is the path that is to be cultivated (walked) rather than the truth. See Norman ib.
102
deva , here in the sense of devas by convention (sa mmati,deva ), ie kings. The other 2 types of deva are
gods by rebirth (upa patti,deva ) and gods by purification (visuddhi,deva ), i.e. the Buddhas, Pratyeka Buddhas
and arhats. (Nc 307 KhA 123).
103
Dharma-eye, dha mma ,ca kkhu. The opening of the Dharma-eye refers to the perception of the law of
change, denoting the attainment of streamwinning, thus being set irrevocably on the path. It is as such spiritually
superior to the divine eye (dibba ,ca kkhu) (D 2.95/1:82), which is an advanced form of clairvoyance, but it is infe-
rior the wisdom eye (pa ,ca kkhu) which is the wisdom of the arhat. The Cula Niddesa mentions 5 kinds of eyes:
(1) the physical eye (ma msa ,ca kkhu); (2) the divine eye (dibba,ca kkhu); (3) the wisdom eye (pa ,cakkhu) of the
arhats; (4) the Buddha eye (Buddha-ca kkhu); and (5) the universal eye (sama nta,ca kkhu), the omniscience of the
Buddhas (Nc 235; It 2.2/52): see Kaaka-t,thala S (M 90/2:125-133) = SD 10.8 Intro (2) & Sandaka S (M 76) =
SD 35.7.
104
Ya m kici sa muda ya.dha mma m sa bba n ta m nir odha ,dha mma n ti. This connects directly into 20, and
makes good sense even without 17-18, which were probably interpolated later.
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 44
the Tusita [Contented] devas
the Nimmana,rati devas [who delight in creating]
the Paranimmita,vasavatti devas [who delight in the creation of others]
the devas of Brahmas host exulted:
105
In the Deer Park at Isipatana near Benares, the Blessed One has set in motion the unsurpassed
Wheel of Truth [424] that cannot be stopped by any recluse or brahmin or deva or Mara or Brahma or by
anyone in the world.
19 Thus at that very hour, that very moment [in that very second],
106
in that very instant, the cry
spread as far as the Brahma world, and this ten thousandfold world system shook, quaked and trembled,
and a boundless glorious radiance appeared in the world surpassing the divine majesty of the devas.
107
Aa Kondaa
20 Then the Blessed One uttered this Udana [inspired utterance]: Aasi va ta bho Konda a!
Master Kondaa has indeed understood!
In this way, the venerable Kondaa received the name Aa
108
Kondaa [Kondaa who has
understood].
109
evam
105
It is interesting and important to note that the list of exulting devas stops here with the Brahms of the 1
st
dhyana. The reason for this is that, as there is still some level of mentation hereby way of initial and sustained
applications (vitakka,vicra)these Brahms are still in contact with the sense-world. In the realms beyond the 1
st
dhyana, thought process as we know it ceases completely so that these beings enjoy the glory of their meditative
state as pure light for as long as their karma fuels it. See Bhava Ss 1-2 (A 3.76-77) = SD 23.13 Intro (3).
106
Not in Ce Se Ke.
107
Itiha tena khaena tena layena tena muhuttena yva brahma,lok saddo abbhuggacchi. Aya ca dasa.sahas-
si,loka.dhtu sakampi sampakampi sampavedhi, appamo ca uro obhso loke pturahosi atikkamma devna
devnubhvan ti.
108
In the earliest sense, a simply means knowledge, evidently here it refers to final knowledge (Jaya-
tilleke 1963:432) since it has brought Kondaa his final liberation. Cf M 2:43, 3:29; S 1:24.
109
Kondaa then requests for the going-forth (pa bbajj) and the ordination (upasa mpad). The Buddha admits
him with the words: Come, O bhikshu! Well-proclaimed is the Doctrine of the Blessed One; live the Holy Life for
making a complete end of suffering (ehi bhikkhu, svkkhto bha gavato dha mmo, car a br ahma ,car iya m sa mm duk-
kha ssa a nta ,kir iyya) (V 1:12). This is Kondaas ordination and the earliest form of ordination conferred by the
Buddha. After further instruction, Vappa and Bhaddiya attain the first-stage sainthood (streamwinning) and are ad-
mitted as monks; and, in due course (on the same day, according to the Vinaya), Mahanama and Assaj, too, become
streamwinners and are ordained. (V 1: 11 f; J 1:82; DA 1:2; AA 1:100; Lalv 540 (416) f; Mvst 3: 330 f).
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 45
Bibliography
Aiyaswami Sastri, N
1938 The first sermon of the Buddha. New India n Antiquar y 1,8 Nov 1938:473-492.
Examination of 11 version of the Dhammacakka Sutta.
Engler, Jack
1984 Therapeutic aims in psychotherapy and meditation: Developmental stages in the repre-
sentation of the self. The Jour nal of Tr a nsper sona l Psychology 16,1 1984: 25-61. In
(eds) Ken Wilber, Jack Engler & Daniel P Brown, Tr ansfor mations of Consciousness :
Conventiona l a nd Contemplative Per spectives on Development, Boston: Shambhala,
1986: 31-49. Download from
http://www.hakomiinstitute.com/Forum/Issue9/TransformationCn.pdf.
1986 1984.
Gethin, Rupert M L
2001 The Pa th to Awakening. [EJ Brill 1992] Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2
nd
ed 2001. [A
study of the 37 bodhi,pakkhiya,dha mm.] See esp pp197-201.
GOT, Toshifumi
2005 Yajavalkyas characterization of the tman and the four kinds of suffering in early
Buddhism. [2000] Electr onic Jour nal of Vedic Studies 12,2 Jul 2005:71-85.
Harvey, Peter
1992 An Intr oduction to Buddhism, Teachings, Histor y and Pr actices. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 1992.
Jayatilleke, KN
1963 Ear ly Buddhist Theor y of Knowledge. London: Allen & Unwin 1963; repr Delhi: MLBD,
1980.
Norman, K R
1982 The Four Noble Truths: a problem of Pali syntax. Indological and Buddhist Studies:
Volume in honour of Pr ofessor J W de J ong, ed LA Hercus et al, Canberra, 1982:377-391.
Repr in Collected Pa per s vol II, Oxford: Pali Text Society, 1991:210-223.
1990 Why are the Four Noble Truths called Noble? In Y Karundasa (ed), Ana nda : Essa ys
in honour of Ana nda WP Gur uge. Colombo, 1990:11-13. Repr in Collected Pa per s vol
IV, Oxford: Pali Text Society, 1993:171-174.
Payutto, PA [Prayudh Payutto Aryankura]
1994 Dependent Or igination: The Buddhist law of conditionality. [Thai] Tr Bruce Evans.
Bangkok: Buddhadhamma Foundation, 1994.
Smith, Norman Joseph
2001 The 17 versions of the Buddhas first discourse. Proposed submission to the J our na l of
the Inter national Association of Buddhist Studies. Queensland: Toowong, 2001.
http://www.bigfoot.com/~josmith.1/buddhism/budaword/from_chinese/ -
Sujata, Bhikkhu [Ajahn Sujato]
TMA The mystique of the Abhidhamma. http://www.santiforestmonastery.com/writings/
2004 The GIST: The hidden str uctur e of the Buddhas Tea chings. [In conjunction with the 3
rd
Global Conference, 12-13 June 2004, Singapore.] Ajahn Sujato (Australia) 2004.
Singapore: Buddhist Fellowship, 2004. Free distribution. See pp 24 f, 37-40.
100506
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 46
1. The Tr uths and the Path
Sacc & magga
Levels of knowing
1. Truth sacca ,na :
hea r d, thought
2. Practice kicca ,na :
cultiva ted
3.Realization ka ta ,na
self-r ealized
*See 5(i) n.
1. Suffering
dukkha
1.1 Theory (truth)
1.2 To be understood
1.3 Has been understood
2. The arising of
suffering
samudaya
2.1 Theory (truth)
2.2 To be abandoned
2.3 Has been abandoned
1. The path leading to
the ending of suffering
magga
3.1 Theory (truth)
3.2 To be cultivated
3.3 Has been cultivated
1. The ending of
suffering
nirodha
3.1 Theory (truth)
3.2 To be realized
3.3 Has been realized
Craving
1. for sense-pleasure:
kma,tanh
hedonism
2. for existence:
bhava,tanh
eternalism
sassata,-ditthi
3. for non-existence:
annihilationism
uccheda,ditthi
(materialism)
Physical suffering (dukkha,dukkha)
1. birth
2. decay
[ ][disease] only in V & S
3. death
4. grief, lamentation, physical
pain, mental pain, and
despair
Suffering = change (viparinma dukkha.)
5. to be with the unpleasant
6. to be without the pleasant
7. not to get what one desires
Suffering = formations (sankhra dukkha)
8. the 5 clinging aggregates
The 8
sufferings
also called attha
samvega vatthu*
Nirvana
1. with remains
sopdisesa nibbna
[no defilements,
no clinging aggregates]
the 1
st
Awakening
2. without remains
nirupdisesa nibbna
[no aggregates at all]
the Great Nirvana
The noble eightfold
path ariya,atthangika magga
Training in wisdom (pa sikkh)
1. right view samm,ditthi
[understanding the noble truths]
2. right thought samm,sankappa
[thoughts of renunciation, of goodwill,
of non-violence ]
Training in moral virtue (sla sikkh)
3. right speech samm,vc
[truthful, unifying, pleasant, beneficial]
4. right action samm kammant
[no killing, no stealing, no sexual mis-
conduct]
5. right livelihood samm jv
[not harming oneself, others, or envi-
ronment]
Training in concentration (samdhi sikkh)
6. right effort samm vyma
[prevent, give up evil; cultivate,
maintain good]
7. mindfulness samm sati
[the 4 focusses of m indfulness]
8. right concentration
samm samdhi [the 4 dhyanas]
The Anatta,lakkhana Sutta (S 22.59) elaborates
on these aggregates; the ditta,pariyya Sutta (S
35.28) then presents the 6 senses using the imagery
of fire.
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 47
MIND
nma
FEELING
vedan
PERCEPTION
sa
FORMATIONS
sankhra
2. The 6 Senses and the 5 Aggregates
salyatana & paca-k,khandha
water
earth
wind
fire
BODY
rpa
CONSCIOUSNESS
vina
body
kya
tongue
jivh
ear
sota
eye
cakkhu
nose
ghna
SD 1.1 S 56.11/5:420-424 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
http://dharmafarer.org 48
BODY
rpa
EYE
cakkhu
EAR
sota
NOSE
ghna
TONGUE
jivh
BODY
kya
MIND
nma
Smell
gandha
Taste
rasa
Sound
sadda
Form
rpa
Mind-object
dhamma
Touch
photthabba
= respective sense-contact or stimulus (phassa)
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Eye-consciousness
cakkhu,vina
Mind-consciousness
mano,vina
Ear-consciousness
sota,vina
Nose-consciousness
ghna,vina
3. The 18 Elements
atthrasa yatana
Tongue-consciousness
jivh,vina
Body-consciousness
kya,vina
Samyutta 5, Mah Vagga 12, Sacca Sayutta 2, Dhammacakkappavattana Vagga 1 S 5.12.2.1
http://dharmafarer.org 49
Craving
tanh
Lust
rga
Aversion
patigha
Ignorance
avijj
Latent tendencies
anusaya
Vedan
Pleasant
Painful
Neutral
Suffering
dukkha
4. How suffering arises
dukkha,samudaya
Sense-
consciousness
vina
Sense-
contact
phassa
Piya Tan 2004. 2007
Sense-
faculty
ajjhattika
yatana
Sense-
object
bahira
yatana
For a diagram of the 6 sense-faculties, see Indriya,bhvan Sutta (M 152) = SD 13(3).