Turning the Wheel of Dharma

It took Buddha a whole lifetime to discover and refine the secrets to enlightenment, but a meager forty-nine days after reaching enlightenment he was asked to teach all he had learned. Buddha rose without question from his deep meditation to help the monks in there quest for knowledge. The lesson Buddha taught when he rose from meditation was first the wheel of Dharma.

Among these teachings of the first wheel of Dharma is the sutra of the four noble truths… 1. This is suffering, 2. The causes of suffering, 3. Suffering can end, nirvana is peace, 4. The true path or eight-fold noble path. These truths must be realized and accepted in order to move on to the next stage. This is also the source of the Hinayana known as the lesser vehicle of Buddhism.

The second wheel of Dharma teaches us the perfection of wisdom sutra, which is a profound saying paying homage to the holy Perfection of Wisdom! The third sutra or wheel of Dharma is about discriminating the intention, it is a long conversation about abandoning our self-cherishing personalities and cherishing only others we can begin to experience true peace and happiness.. These two wheels of Dharma make up the Mahayana, or the great vehicle of Buddhism.

Read the rest of this entry

Southeast Asia Handbook 2009: Tread Your Own Path (Footprint Southeast Asia Handbook)

Sip slings in Singapore, get beyond Bali, or take time out in Thailand with Footprint’s very first guide to Southeast Asia. This brand new annual edition is the perfect companion for anyone wanting to escape the banana pancake trail and really discover this beautiful region. Whether you seek to experience the surf, sea, and sand of a thousand deserted islands, witness the sheer craziness of a 24-hour metropolis, or delve deep into the culture of these mysterious and diverse countrie (more…)

Powered by Yahoo! Answers