#WW: ☸️ 2500+ years ago a wheel was turned. Here’s why today is special
Wholesome Wednesdays (WW): Bringing you curated positive content on Wednesdays to uplift your hump day.
Happy Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)! The lesser known but significant date on the Buddhist calendar. This day marks the first teaching (aka turning of the wheel of the Dhamma) Buddha gave after his enlightenment. The decision to teach the Dhamma had clear results; the first students eventually gained enlightenment! This showed that the Buddha’s method was replicable and accessible to all. Here are two stories to inspire you on this holy day!
1. Established more than 500 years before Oxford University, this Buddhist university is roaring back to life
2. You discovered something profound, who do you share it with? Or do you keep it to yourself?
Established more than 500 years before Oxford University, this Buddhist university is roaring back to life
What’s going on here & Why we like it
BBC shares a short reel on Nalanda, a university founded in the 5th Century. It is believed to be the world’s first residential university. Established more than 500 years before Oxford University, at its peak Nalanda hosted over 10,000 students. This video covers the inspiring and amazing task of reviving the university and turning it into a place to develop peace. We like it because it shows how Buddhists with a vision came together to rebuild a place of learning.
“But out of those ashes, now the new university will be coming and that would give the message of peace and nonviolence to the entire globe.”
Wise Steps
Start looking into Buddhist history and head to a museum like ACM in Singapore to understand the rich Buddhist history in Southeast Asia that is often overlooked
Check out the video here or below!
You discovered something profound, who do you share it with? Or do you keep it to yourself?
What’s going on here & why we like it
Bhikkhu Thanissaro, a famous translator of the suttas into English, shares the significance of Asalha Puja and the journey Buddha took post-enlightenment. We like it because Bhikkhu Thanissaro neatly summarises the importance of the day and how we can take our practice further.
“The truth of stress and truth of suffering is something that eats away at our minds. It doesn’t just sit there and let you know about it. That’s why the Buddha said that our duty is to comprehend it. So as you learn these truths, you learn about how you can implement it.”
Wise Steps
What emotions and desires are you pursuing right now? Reflecting on what we are chasing enables us to realise which of them are causing us deep suffering. Is the suffering worth the chase of our desire? May you grow in the path of peace on this awesome day!
Enjoy the advice below!